Framingham Risk Score as a Prognostic Predictor of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss: A Preliminary Study

Objectives/Hypothesis: Predicting the prognosis of idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss (ISSHL) remains challenging. This investigation aimed to apply Framingham Risk Scores (FRS) to assess the combination of prognostic factors following ISSHL and investigate the predictive role of FRS in patients with multiple comorbidities including hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. Study design: Retrospective study. Methods: Twenty-one patients presenting with unilateral idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss and multiple comorbidities were surveyed. Framingham Risk Score was calculated, and patients were assigned into high-risk (FRS >= 20%) and low-risk (FRS < 20%) groups. Mean pure tone audiometry (PTA) threshold of both groups and hearing outcomes following established criteria were investigated. All patients were treated with the same protocol of oral methylprednisolone. Results: Overall successful recovery rate (complete + marked recovery) was 23.81%. The mean PTA threshold of the low-risk group showed significant improvement (mean PTA +/- standard error, SE: pretreatment, 73.23 +/- 11.80; posttreatment, 54.89 +/- 10.25, P =.002), while the high-risk group did not show significant improvement in mean PTA threshold (mean PTA +/- SE: pretreatment, 71.94 +/- 11.77; posttreatment, 68.89 +/- 12.81, P =.73). Conclusion: Framingham Risk Scores may be useful in predicting outcomes for ISSHL patients with multiple comorbidities.