The pattern of hearing disorders in HIV positive patients on antiretroviral drugs at Kenyatta national hospital
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Date
2010-10
Authors
Makau, S. M.
Ongulo, B. A
Mugwe, P.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
East African Medical Journal
Abstract
Objectives:
To determine if patients on Anti - retroviral drugs (ARVs) develop hearing
impairment.
Design:
The comprehensive care clinic (CCC), Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH),
Nairobi.
Setting
: Case controlled study.
Subjects:
Two hundred and seventy one human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive
patients on ARVs were matched for age and sex with 273 HIV positive patients who
were not on ARVs.
Results:
Thirty four percent of HIV positive patients not on ARVs had a hearing loss
compared to only 28% in patients who were on ARVs. sensorineural hearing loss was
the most frequent hearing disorder in both groups. Majority of the patients had mild
hearing loss and the higher frequencies were the most affected. There was a notable
worsening of hearing loss with increase in age, but this was not statistically significant.
It was noted that HIV positive patients hearing level worsened on starting ARVs but
this improved after six months of ARV treatment.
Conclusion:
Prolonged usage of ARVs is not associated with decreased hearing function.
The most common hearing loss found in patients on ARVs is sensorineural hearing
loss (SNHL).
Description
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4314%2Feamj.v87i10.
Keywords
Citation
East African Medical Journal Vol 87, No 10 (2010)