association of dyslipidemia to asymptomatic sensorineural hearing loss in Patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Background: Sensorineural hearing loss can be the first manifestation in systemic lupus erythematosus patients. It has been described to occur more frequently in females than in males. Aim of the work: To detect asymptomatic sensorineural hearing loss (ASNHL) in patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)and to find its relation to lipid profile and other disease parameters. Patients and Methods: a case control study conducted on fifty SLE patients (3 males and 47 females)and twenty matched healthy controls (2males and 18 females). SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI) and systemic lupus international collaborative clinics damage index (SLICC DI) scores were done. All patients were subjected to clinical and laboratory investigations. Lipid profile was done for patients and controls. Otoacoustic emission test, Audiometry, were done for patients and controls. Results: The mean age of the patients was (28.46 ± 8.8) and the disease duration was(7.12 ±6.33) years. Triacylglycerol(TAG), Cholesterol, Low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol were significantly higher in SLE patients compared to controls (p= 0.034, 0.005, 0.002respectively). ASNHL was observed in 10 SLE patients (20%). TAG, Cholesterol, LDL cholesterol were significantly higher in patients with SNHL compared to patients without SNHL (p=0.022, 0.038, 0.020 respectively). Oral ulcers, serositis were significantly more prevalent in patients with SNHL compared topatients without SNHL (p=0.036,0.034 respectively). Disease activity (SLEADI) and damage index scores( SLICC DI) were significantly higher in patients with SNHL compared topatients without SNHL (p=0.028, 0.009 respectively).Conclusion: Asymptomatic SNHL was found in minority of SLE patients with an association with high levels of TAG, cholesterol, LDL cholesterol suggesting atherosclerosis as a mechanism.