Relationship between idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss and subsequent stroke

Objectives/Hypothesis: The correlation between idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss and subsequent stroke is unclear. This study aimed to review stroke incidence after idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss among patients admitted to a tertiary referral center and aimed to compare the characteristics of patients with and without stroke. Study Design: Individual retrospective cohort study. Methods: Between January 2000 and April 2004, a total of 349 patients diagnosed with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss were admitted to Taipei Veterans General Hospital and followed up until May 31, 2009. The patients were divided into two groups: a stroke group and a nonstroke group. Cox proportional hazards regression was used for analysis after adjusting for age, sex, hypertension, diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and prior stroke history. Results: The average follow-up duration was 81.7 +/- 15.0 months, and the average annual stroke incidence rate was 0.6%. The number of patients with older age, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and prior stroke history was significantly higher in the stroke group than in the nonstroke group. Prior stroke history was the most important risk factor for stroke after idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss. Conclusions: Idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss did not increase stroke risk. The average annual stroke incidence rate after idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss was comparable with that in the general Taiwanese population. The study patients experienced stroke because they carried the risk factors for stroke. In patients with modified risk factors for stroke, efforts should be made to prevent stroke rather than idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss.