The study was done to assess the association of HI with neurocognitive function and the factors in HI that mediate neurocognitive outcomes in survivors of childhood cancer.
1520 survivors of childhood cancer were analyzed, 814 out of them were male survivors. Prevalence and risk of severe HI among survivors were higher in survivors in the platinum-only or cochlear RT exposure group compared with those in the no exposure group. Severe HI was associated with deficits in verbal reasoning skills; platinum-only exposure group RR, 1.93; cochlear RT exposure group RR, 2.00, verbal fluency (no exposure group RR, 1.86; platinum-only exposure group RR, 1.83; cochlear RT exposure group RR, 1.45, visuomotor speed; platinum-only exposure group RR, 3.10; cochlear RT exposure group RR, 1.40, and mathematics skills (no exposure group RR, 1.90 [95% CI, 1.18-3.04]; platinum-only exposure group RR, 1.63; cochlear RT exposure group RR, 1.58, compared with survivors with normal hearing or with mild HI.
The study concluded that severe HI in childhood cancer survivors is associated with neurocognitive deficits independent of the neurotoxic treatment received. Early screening and intervention for HI may facilitate the development and maintenance of neurocognitive function and identify individuals at risk for impairment.
Reference: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaoncology/article-abstract/2768632
