Statin Use and Reduced Risk of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Type 2 Diabetes.

Abstract

Objective: To examine the association between statin use and the risk of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D), focusing on statin type, dosage, and treatment duration.

Study design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database.

Methods: We analyzed T2D patients diagnosed between 2008 and 2019, stratified into statin users and nonusers of lipid-lowering therapy. Propensity score matching was used to balance baseline characteristics. Multivariable Cox regression, adjusted for competing risks, assessed the association between statin use and SSNHL risk, as well as all-cause mortality. Statin exposure was analyzed based on cumulative and daily doses.

Results: The study cohort included 66,120 statin users and 66,120 nonusers. Statin use was associated with a significantly lower SSNHL risk (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.83; 95% CI, 0.74-0.92; P = .0008) and reduced all-cause mortality (aHR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.52-0.57; P < .0001). A dose-response relationship was observed, with higher cumulative defined daily doses (cDDDs) linked to progressively lower SSNHL risk. Hydrophilic statins, particularly rosuvastatin, showed stronger protective effects compared to lipophilic statins.

Conclusion: Statin use in T2D patients is associated with reduced SSNHL risk and all-cause mortality, with dose-dependent effects. These findings suggest the potential otoprotective benefits of statins and emphasize the importance of personalized therapy for managing both hearing and cardiovascular health in this high-risk population.