For a study, it was determined that autoimmune inner ear disease was a poorly known condition that causes sensorineural hearing loss. As a result, the role of anticochlear antibodies (ACLAs) in clinical therapy remained unknown. Researchers were to characterize the usage of ACLAs in the clinical context and to comprehend the physicians’ treatment strategy in the patients. They also looked at how these autoantibodies might be used in clinical settings.
A retrospective analysis was conducted using non-probabilistic convenience sampling on patients who were tested for ACLAs between January 1, 2013 and December 31, 2015. The study was conducted in two stages: (1) all patients who were examined for ACLAs had their medical records reviewed; and (2) all patients who were not probed for ACLAs had their medical records reviewed. Age, gender, the reason for obtaining ACLAs, concurrent autoimmune illness, audiogram, immunosuppressive medication, length of treatment, and clinical response were all examined; (2) patients who received immunosuppressive therapy were contacted by phone. To assess the therapy response, a visual analog scale (VAS) (0–10) was used.
About thirty-nine patients were identified as having ACLAs and were being evaluated. The average age was 41 (SD, 16) years, with 33 female patients. Of the 34 patients with ACLA-positive antibodies, 16 received immunosuppressive medications, with corticosteroids being the most widely used therapy for sensorineural hearing loss. In that category, patients reported no clinical improvement following immunosuppressive medication.
ACLAs’ relevance in the diagnosis and therapy of sensorineural hearing loss was unknown. ACLA testing may not have improved the result of sensorineural hearing loss in the limited trial at a single institution.
