A Predictive Model of Bilateral Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Meniere Disease Using Clinical Data

Symptom networks analysis among people with Meniere's disease: Application for nursing care

Objectives

This study aimed to explore and visualize the relationships among multiple symptoms in patients with Meniere's disease (MD) and aid clinical nurses in the design of accurate, individualized interventions.

Methods

This study included 790 patients with MD at the Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University from October 2014 to December 2021. A self-designed symptom checklist was used to assess 15 MD-related symptoms and construct contemporaneous networks with all 15 symptoms in R software. Qgraph package and Fruchterman-Reingold layout were used for network visualization. Bootstrapping methods were performed to assess network accuracy and stability, and three centrality indices were adopted to describe relationships among symptoms.

Results

Symptom networks showed good accuracy and stability. "Anxiety and nervousness"(98.2%), "aural fullness"(84.4%) and "tinnitus"(82.7%) were the common symptom in MD patients, while "tinnitus", "aural fullness" and "decline in word recognition", were more serious. MD patients with longer disease duration had higher prevalence and severity for all symptoms (P < 0.05). Symptom networks showed good accuracy and stability. "Decline in word recognition," "fatigue," and "anxiety and nervousness" were at the center of the symptom networks, which had the largest strength values and closeness. "Decline in word recognition," "headache," and "spatial discrimination and poor orientation" were the symptoms with the highest betweenness with the strongest bridging effect. The ≥1-year disease group exhibited higher centralities for "drop attack" and "anxiety and nervousness," and a lower centrality for "headache" compared with the <1-year disease group.

Conclusions

The symptom networks of MD patients with varying disease durations were revealed. Clinicians and nurses must provide precision interventions tailored to modifying symptom severity and centrality. Nursing interventions should focus on word recognition issues and associated discomfort in MD patients with multiple symptoms.

Risk Factors for the Development of Bilateral Ménière's Disease

OBJECTIVE

To identify key risk factors for the development of bilateral Ménière's disease.

STUDY DESIGNS

Observational study.

SETTING

Four NHS Trusts and four independent hospitals or clinics, within three distinct urban and rural regions within the United Kingdom (Norfolk, Leicestershire, and London).

METHODS

Patients with Ménière's disease were identified at ENT or audiovestibular medicine secondary/tertiary care and specialist private clinics. A range of patient-reported data, questionnaire data, and clinical data (audiometric, radiological, and specialist balance testing data) was inputted into a bespoke database. A logistic regression model was used to identify potential risk factors for bilateral Ménière's disease compared with unilateral Ménière's disease.

RESULTS

A total of 411 participants were recruited into this study, 263 from NHS Trusts and 148 from independent hospitals or clinics. In our cohort of patients, 22% of individuals were identified as having bilateral Ménière's disease. Two statistically significant independent variables were identified as risk factors for the development of bilateral Ménière's disease: the presence of psoriasis and a history of ear infections.

CONCLUSIONS

Psoriasis and a history of ear infection have been identified as key risk factors for the development of bilateral Ménière's disease. It is anticipated that further work based on this finding will allow a better understanding of the underlying pathophysiological mechanisms that predispose to the development of Ménière's disease symptoms.

Hearing Benefits of Clinical Management for Meniere's Disease

Meniere’s disease is a progressive hearing−disabling condition. Patients can benefit from strict clinical management, including lifestyle and dietary counseling, and medical treatment. A prospective cohort study was carried out with 154 patients with definite Meniere’s disease, with an average age of 43.53 ± 11.40, and a male to female ratio of 0.97:1. The pure-tone thresholds of all 165 affected ears, over a one-year clinical management period, were analyzed. After one year, 87.27% of patients had improved or preserved their hearing at a low frequency, and 71.51% at a high frequency. The hearing threshold at frequencies from 250 Hz to 2000 Hz had improved significantly (p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.001, p < 0.01), and deteriorated slightly at 8000 Hz (p < 0.05). Of all the patients, 40.00% had a hearing average threshold that reached ≤25 dB HL after the clinical management period, among whom 27.27% were patients in stage 3. The restoration time was 2.5 (1.0, 4.125) months, with a range of 0.5−11.0 months, and the restoration time was longer for stage 3 than for stages 1 and 2 (u = −2.542, p < 0.05). The rising curves improved the most (p < 0.05), with most becoming peaks, whereas most peaks and flats remained the same. Patients who were initially in the earlier stages (95% CI 1.710~4.717, OR 2.840, p < 0.001), have an increased odds ratio of hearing by an average of ≤25 dB HL. Age (95% CI 1.003~1.074, OR 1.038, p = 0.031), peak curve (95% CI 1.038~5.945, OR = 2.484, p = 0.041), and flat curve (95% CI 1.056~19.590, OR = 4.549, p = 0.042), compared with the rising curve, increase the odds ratio of hearing on average by >25 dB HL. Most patients can have their hearing preserved or improved through strict clinical management, and sufficient follow-up is also essential. Stage 3 patients also have the potential for hearing improvement, although the restoration time is longer than in the early stages. The initial hearing stage, age, and audiogram pattern are related to the hearing benefits.