Correlation Analysis Between rs718447 Polymorphism of miR-204-5p and Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss in the Chinese Han Population

Importance Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) significantly impacts quality of life. Identifying genetic and serological markers could improve early diagnosis and prognosis. Objectives This study aimed to investigate the potential correlation between the miR-204-5p rs718447 polymorphism and the occurrence of SSNHL in the Chinese Han population. Design A hospital-based, case-control study. Setting The Third People’s Hospital of Hubei Province in China. Participants One hundred forty patients with idiopathic SSNHL and 140 age-frequency-matched and sex-frequency-matched healthy controls of Chinese Han ethnicity. Exposures Genotyping was performed using the LightCycler 480 Real-Time PCR system. miR-204-5p expression was measured by RT-qPCR, while enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was utilized to determine the interleukin-1β (IL-1β) concentration. Main Outcome Measures: Primary: Association between rs718447 genotypes and SSNHL risk. Secondary: Diagnostic/prognostic performance of miR-204-5p; correlations with IL-1β and fibrinogen (FIB) levels. Results In the SSNHL group, miR-204-5p was significantly elevated ( P < .01). The A allele odds ratio (OR) = 0.470, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.297-0.744 and AG/AA genotypes (OR = 0.486, 95% CI: 0.297-0.793) were identified as potential protective factors against SSNHL, whereas the GG genotype was associated with an increased risk of SSNHL. miR-204-5p expression progressively increased as hearing loss worsened from mild to severe, and GG genotype patients demonstrated higher miR-204-5p expression ( P < .01). The SSNHL group exhibited significantly higher IL-1β and FIB concentrations, especially GG carriers ( P < .01). Additionally, high miR-204-5p expression (OR = 3.039, 95% CI: 1.435-6.439, P = .004) and the GG genotype at rs718447 (OR = 2.853, 95% CI: 1.095-7.433, P = .032) were associated with poorer hearing recovery outcomes, with the GG genotype showing a correlation with poorer outcomes, consistent with a potential link involving miR-204-5p-associated inflammation and coagulation abnormalities. Conclusion The miR-204-5p rs718447 polymorphism was associated with susceptibility to SSNHL. Relevance These findings identify rs718447 and miR-204-5p as potential biomarkers for SSNHL. Future studies should validate these results in larger, multicenter cohorts and explore the underlying mechanisms to assess their utility in personalized treatment strategies.