Association of sensorineural hearing loss and pseudoexfoliation syndrome: a meta-analysis

Background: Previous studies that assessed the association of sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL) and pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) produced contradictory results. We conducted a meta -analysis to further evaluate this relationship. Methods: Eligible studies that evaluated the association between SNHL and PEX were identified. Summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated employing random -effects models. Subgroup analysis and meta -regression were performed to assess heterogeneity by several covariates. Publication bias was tested by Begg's funnel plot and Egger's regression test. Results: A total of 14 eligible studies, involving 1,142 PEX patients and 9,914 controls, were included in this meta -analysis. Overall analysis showed that patients with PEX, when compared with the control group, experienced a significantly increased risk for hearing loss [OR: 3.74 (95% CI: 2.56 to 5.47); P<0.001]. Substantial heterogeneity was observed. Subgroup analysis revealed a decrease in this heterogeneity in ageand sex -matched studies and in studies that used the same definition of hearing loss. Meta -regression analysis showed that definition of hearing loss contributed to substantial heterogeneity (P=0.044). No evidence of publication bias was observed. Discussion: We found that PEX is associated with an increased risk of SNHL. The effect of PEX on the prevalence of hearing loss indicates that PEX is clearly a systemic disease with potential otological complications.