Audiometric changes in patients undergoing liver transplantation using distinct immunosuppressive Protocols

The aim of the study was to disclose a possible association of hearing defects with the use of either cyclosporin (CyA) or tacrolimus (FK-506) in patients undergoing liver transplantation (LT). Pure-tone audiometry (PTA) was performed in the same 42 patients before and after LT. Audiometric frequencies recorded ranged from 250 to 8000 Hz. Patients were divided into 2 groups according to the use of CyA (n = 18) or FK-506 (n = 24). We used Kolmogorov-Smimov and subsequently Student t test, nonparametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test, and Mann-Whitney test for statistical analysis. Significance was achieved when P <= 0.05. There was a statistically significant change in PTA results, occurring as decreased hearing perception, especially in high frequencies (4000, 6000, and 8000 Hz), in both ears of patients undergoing LT and receiving FK-506. Audiometric changes were not perceived pre- and posttransplantation in patients using CyA, except in the right ear, in the 3000-Hz range. In conclusion, LT patients presented worsening of hearing patterns after undergoing transplantation. The defect was significantly more accentuated in the high-frequency tones, particularly in individuals using FK-506 as the immunosuppressive regimen.