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.