Vestibular dysfunction and glycemic control in diabetes mellitus: Is there a correlation?

Chetana S Naik, Raviraj Tilloo

Indian Journal of Otology 2018 24(3):199-203

Objectives: The aim of this study is to evaluate and find the proportion of patients with Type-II diabetes mellitus (DM) with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and vestibular dysfunction (VD) and association with glycemic control. Materials and Methods: An observational cross-sectional study was carried out in 100 patients (age group: 30–60 years) diagnosed with Type-II DM coming to the outpatient department of our Rural Tertiary Care Teaching Hospital, fulfilling the inclusion criteria. Prior approval of the Institutional Ethics Committee and written informed consent was obtained. All patients were subjected to investigations to assess their diabetes control, hearing, and vestibular function. The findings were subjected to statistical analysis. Results: Out of 100 patients, 62 were male and 38 were female between the age group of 30 and 60 years. The mean hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level was 9.16 ± 2.4. The patients were divided into three groups depending on HbA1c level, to denote control, good (≤7%), moderate (>7, ≤12%), and poor (>12%). There were a total of 69 patients with SNHL and 70 patients with VD. SNHL was present in 57.6% of good control group, 66.1% of moderate control group, and 100% of poor control group. Analysis with Chi-square test for correlation between glycemic control and SNHL was statistically significant. Out of the 70 patients with VD, 51.4% had right vestibulopathy, 41.4% had left vestibulopathy, and 7.2% had a bilateral vestibulopathy. Twenty-two patients had benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. VD was present in 42.3% of good control group, 74.5% of moderate control group, and 100% of poor control group. Chi-square test was statistically significant. Conclusion: There is a significant association between Type II DM, and SNHL and VD, especially with worsening of glycemic control. Screening for these debilities should be a part of the routine workup of a diabetic patient. VD is a potential cause for imbalance and vertigo in DM.

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