Audiological Manifestations in VITILIGO – A Novel Study

Abstract

Background and Objectives: Vitiligo is common form of acquired localized depigmentation, resulting from progressive loss of melanocytes. Melanocytes in the skin, uveal tract and ear are similar in their physiology, morphology and share a common embryological origin. The association of cutaneous depigmentation with ocular and auditory dysfunction is well known. Aim of this study is to find the various audiological features in patients presenting with vitiligo.

Materials and Methods: A case-control study where in all patients presenting with vitiligo and age and sex matched controls without vitiligo were included. Following BSA and VASI assessment, both groups were subjected to tuning fork tests and pure tone audiometry were carried out. Goodman’s classification of hearing loss (HL) was followed to classify the severity.

Results: Mean age of presentation was 27.33 years, with mean age of onset of 24.57 years, having a duration of 1-3 years, with a male preponderance. 36.67% of the patients had positive family history of vitiligo. Majority of patients had 1-5% body surface area involvement, with mean VASI of 3 at presentation. 13.33% patients had mild HL (26-40 dB) and 40% had minimal HL (16-25 dB) in the right ear. 46.67% patients had minimal HL (16-25dB) in the left ear.

Conclusion: It is extremely important for all the vitiligo patients to undergo a complete audiological assessment at presentation to detect subclinical abnormalities at the earliest and to prevent the impending complications of sensorineural hearing loss.