The effect of fibromyalgia treatment on tinnitus

The effect of fibromyalgia treatment on tinnitus:



Publication date: Available online 3 January 2020

Source: American Journal of Otolaryngology

Author(s): O. Caglar Cil, C. Zateri, O. Guclu, S. Oymak, E. Tezcan

Abstract

Objectives

We investigated the frequency of tinnitus in fibromyalgia patients and the effect of drugs used for routine fibromyalgia on tinnitus.

Methods

We included 101 diagnosed fibromyalgia patients. After detailed ear nose throat examination, audiometric tests and tinnitus handicap index (THI) were performed. After the tests, routine treatment for fibromyalgia was started by the physical therapy and rehabilitation department. Two months after the beginning of the treatment, THI were repeated again and the results were statistically evaluated.

Results

All patients included in the study were women. 74.3% of the patients had tinnitus. Pregabalin and selective serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) antidepressant-treated patients were evaluated; In both groups, there was a statistically significant difference between pre- and post-treatment tinnitus levels (p < .001). However, there was no statistically significant difference between pregabalin group and diloxetine group according to treatment results.

Conclusions

The incidence of tinnitus is high in fibromyalgia patients. That pregabalin and duloxetine agents routinely used in fibromyalgia require further experimental and human studies in order to be able to use in tinnitus.