Results
A total of 227 newly diagnosed SSNHL patients were admitted.104 patients fulfilled the inclusion criteria, provided informed consent, and were enrolled in the two groups. Five patients, 3 in group A and 2 in group B, refused the IT injections due to unbearable pain. Steroid treatment was stopped for one patient in group B because of difficulty controlling blood glucose levels under control. There were no significant differences between groups in age, sex, classification of audiogram, or complications such as diabetes and hypertension (Table 1).
Side effects
Systemic side effects
Ten systemic side effects of steroids were observed. More indications of systemic side effects were observed in group B (n=139) than in group A (n=67) (Table 2).
In group A, the systemic side effects were no more serious than slight changes in appetite or emotions or difficulty falling asleep during the initial treatment stage in week one. Symptoms such as water and sodium retention, facial acne, and fluctuations in blood pressure and glucose levels appeared as the treatment continued, specifically after 8 doses of intratympanic dexamethasone, and gradually recovered after drug withdrawal. During the course of intravenous plus intratympanic dexamethasone therapy in group B, systemic side effects increased in response to cumulative drug exposure. Dyssomnia, changes in appetite, edema caused by water and sodium retention, emotional changes and fluctuations in FBG were the most common complications. These patients showed obvious changes in appetite and emotions, facial congestion, nocturnal sleep disorders and fluctuations in BBP during the early stage of treatment. In one patient, steroid therapy was stopped because of uncontrolled glucose levels.
There were no differences between the two groups in the incidence of emotional changes, acne, menstrual disorders, or fluctuations in BBP (>10 mmHg) or FBG. There were difference between groups was observed in appetite changes, and there were significant differences were observed in dyssomnia and oedema caused by water and sodium retention. A mild Cushing’s state was detected 1 month after therapy in one patient in group B. No brittle fractures occurred in any patient.