Relationship of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss With History of Chronic Periodontitis.

Objectives: Chronic periodontitis (CP) has been linked to an increased risk of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL). This study aimed to delineate the causal relationships between CP and SSNHL.

Methods: Data from participants aged 40 years or older in the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort from 2002 through 2019 were used. Data for 13,769 patients with SSNHL were collected and matched with those for 55,076 control participants based on demographic and socioeconomic variables. The incidence of CP before the onset of SSNHL was recorded. The odds ratios (ORs) for SSNHL based on CP history were calculated using conditional logistic regression. ORs were analyzed according to the frequency of CP, specifically ≥1, ≥2, and ≥3 clinic visits for CP within 1 year and ≥1 visit within 2 years. Sensitivity analyses were also conducted for all covariables.

Results: The patients with SSNHL had a higher mean number of CP visits (0.71 within 1 year and 1.34 within 2 years) compared with control participants. CP was associated with increased odds of SSNHL, with an OR of 1.14 (95% CI, 1.10-1.19) for ≥1 CP visit, an OR of 1.09 (95% CI, 1.03-1.15) for ≥2 visits, and an OR of 1.09 (95% CI, 1.02-1.17) for ≥3 visits within 1 year. Furthermore, having experienced at least 1 visit for CP within 2 years was associated with 1.15 times greater odds of SSNHL (95% CI, 1.10-1.19). Higher rates of SSNHL were also observed in the subgroups of participants with underweight, overweight, and age ≥65 years, as well as those with comorbidities.

Conclusion: CP was linked to an elevated incidence of SSNHL. Individuals with comorbidities, advanced age, or abnormal body weight were more likely to exhibit both CP and SSNHL.