Decoding the impact of autoinflammatory/autoimmune diseases on inner ear harmony and hearing loss

Autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases affecting the inner ear can cause symptoms such as hearing loss, imbalance, vertigo, and tinnitus, presenting demanding and often underdiagnosed conditions. Diagnostic challenges arise due to their diverse manifestations, potential long-term consequences, and...

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Main Authors: Michail Athanasopoulos, Pinelopi Samara, Ioannis Athanasopoulos
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Open Exploration Publishing Inc. 2024-02-01
Series:Exploration of Immunology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.explorationpub.com/Journals/ei/Article/1003129
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author Michail Athanasopoulos
Pinelopi Samara
Ioannis Athanasopoulos
author_facet Michail Athanasopoulos
Pinelopi Samara
Ioannis Athanasopoulos
author_sort Michail Athanasopoulos
collection DOAJ
description Autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases affecting the inner ear can cause symptoms such as hearing loss, imbalance, vertigo, and tinnitus, presenting demanding and often underdiagnosed conditions. Diagnostic challenges arise due to their diverse manifestations, potential long-term consequences, and the absence of specific serological markers, necessitating a multidisciplinary approach combining clinical evaluation, audiological assessments, and imaging techniques. Various autoimmune disorders, including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren’s syndrome, have been implicated in immune-mediated damage to auditory structures, resulting in inner ear dysfunction. Inflammatory processes in autoinflammatory diseases like Cogan’s syndrome and relapsing polychondritis can also affect the inner ear. While the exact mechanisms of inner ear involvement in these conditions are still being studied, immune-mediated inflammation, damage to auditory structures, and vascular involvement play significant roles in auditory impairments. Treatment strategies primarily focus on immunomodulation and inflammation control using corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and targeted biologic agents to ameliorate symptoms and preserve hearing function. Hearing aids and cochlear implants may be also considered for severe hearing loss. Individualized approaches are necessary due to patient response heterogeneity. This review provides a concise overview of key autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases impacting the inner ear, highlighting clinical manifestations, diagnostics, pathophysiology, and treatment options. Early recognition and appropriate management are crucial for optimizing patient outcomes. Further research is needed to understand underlying mechanisms and identify novel therapeutic targets. Collaboration between otolaryngologists, rheumatologists, and immunologists is crucial for improving the quality of life in these complex conditions.
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spelling doaj.art-5200d8852b6e4ba5b8a3dd456da0e0482024-02-26T05:05:46ZengOpen Exploration Publishing Inc.Exploration of Immunology2768-66552024-02-0141738910.37349/ei.2024.00129Decoding the impact of autoinflammatory/autoimmune diseases on inner ear harmony and hearing lossMichail Athanasopoulos0https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0592-6921Pinelopi Samara1https://orcid.org/0009-0001-2249-7068Ioannis Athanasopoulos2https://orcid.org/0009-0002-8439-618XOtolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Athens Pediatric Center, 15125 Athens, GreeceChildren’s Oncology Unit “Marianna V. Vardinoyannis-ELPIDA”, Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, GreeceOtolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery, Athens Pediatric Center, 15125 Athens, GreeceAutoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases affecting the inner ear can cause symptoms such as hearing loss, imbalance, vertigo, and tinnitus, presenting demanding and often underdiagnosed conditions. Diagnostic challenges arise due to their diverse manifestations, potential long-term consequences, and the absence of specific serological markers, necessitating a multidisciplinary approach combining clinical evaluation, audiological assessments, and imaging techniques. Various autoimmune disorders, including systemic lupus erythematosus, rheumatoid arthritis, and Sjogren’s syndrome, have been implicated in immune-mediated damage to auditory structures, resulting in inner ear dysfunction. Inflammatory processes in autoinflammatory diseases like Cogan’s syndrome and relapsing polychondritis can also affect the inner ear. While the exact mechanisms of inner ear involvement in these conditions are still being studied, immune-mediated inflammation, damage to auditory structures, and vascular involvement play significant roles in auditory impairments. Treatment strategies primarily focus on immunomodulation and inflammation control using corticosteroids, immunosuppressants, and targeted biologic agents to ameliorate symptoms and preserve hearing function. Hearing aids and cochlear implants may be also considered for severe hearing loss. Individualized approaches are necessary due to patient response heterogeneity. This review provides a concise overview of key autoimmune and autoinflammatory diseases impacting the inner ear, highlighting clinical manifestations, diagnostics, pathophysiology, and treatment options. Early recognition and appropriate management are crucial for optimizing patient outcomes. Further research is needed to understand underlying mechanisms and identify novel therapeutic targets. Collaboration between otolaryngologists, rheumatologists, and immunologists is crucial for improving the quality of life in these complex conditions.https://www.explorationpub.com/Journals/ei/Article/1003129autoimmuneautoinflammatoryinner ear diseasehearing lossimbalancecorticosteroidscochlear implants
spellingShingle Michail Athanasopoulos
Pinelopi Samara
Ioannis Athanasopoulos
Decoding the impact of autoinflammatory/autoimmune diseases on inner ear harmony and hearing loss
Exploration of Immunology
autoimmune
autoinflammatory
inner ear disease
hearing loss
imbalance
corticosteroids
cochlear implants
title Decoding the impact of autoinflammatory/autoimmune diseases on inner ear harmony and hearing loss
title_full Decoding the impact of autoinflammatory/autoimmune diseases on inner ear harmony and hearing loss
title_fullStr Decoding the impact of autoinflammatory/autoimmune diseases on inner ear harmony and hearing loss
title_full_unstemmed Decoding the impact of autoinflammatory/autoimmune diseases on inner ear harmony and hearing loss
title_short Decoding the impact of autoinflammatory/autoimmune diseases on inner ear harmony and hearing loss
title_sort decoding the impact of autoinflammatory autoimmune diseases on inner ear harmony and hearing loss
topic autoimmune
autoinflammatory
inner ear disease
hearing loss
imbalance
corticosteroids
cochlear implants
url https://www.explorationpub.com/Journals/ei/Article/1003129
work_keys_str_mv AT michailathanasopoulos decodingtheimpactofautoinflammatoryautoimmunediseasesoninnerearharmonyandhearingloss
AT pinelopisamara decodingtheimpactofautoinflammatoryautoimmunediseasesoninnerearharmonyandhearingloss
AT ioannisathanasopoulos decodingtheimpactofautoinflammatoryautoimmunediseasesoninnerearharmonyandhearingloss