Rheumatoid Arthritis May Also Involve the Auditory System

(Newswire.net — May 30, 2017) Orlando, FL — Rheumatoid arthritis is second to osteoarthritis on the list of the most prevalent arthritic conditions today. While this condition has been associated with the pain and other symptoms it causes, there are also other complications that sufferers should be aware of.

Screening for hearing impairment is strongly recommended for rheumatoid arthritis sufferers. According to statistics, the condition affects 1% of the general population. While RA is normally known for its articular manifestations, it may also involve the auditory system and other extra-articular organs.

According to experts, hearing impairment in rheumatoid arthritis cases is multifactorial. It is important to remember that the mechanism of injury as well as the predisposing factors have not actually been clearly understood. Statistics even show that sensorineural hearing loss has the prevalence of 25-72% in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis.

Some of the possible pathologies may be auditory neuropathy, rheumatoid nodules, incudomalleolar joints, and destruction of the cochlear hair cells.

Amir Emamifar, Kristine Bjørndal and Inger Marie Jensen Hansenrecently conducted a study. The study results suggested that elderly individuals who suffer from active disease, long disease duration, rheumatoid nodules, seropositivity, and elevated acute phase reactants are more susceptible to have a hearing impairment.

Smoking, alcohol, noise, and environmental factors can contribute to the deterioration of the condition. It is also important to remember that passive smoking can increase the risk of hearing impairment. Long-term alcohol exposure in RA cases may actually impact the hearing abilities of sufferers through jeopardizing the cochlear function. According to the results of pure tone audiometry, individuals with rheumatoid arthritis have a high prevalence of hearing impairment for all frequencies.

A test called Transiently Evoked Otoacoustic Emissions (TEOAEs) has been used to assess the cochlear function. It can also be used in detecting a variety of amounts of reductions in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis at an early stage of the disease.

Hearing impairment treatment in individuals with rheumatoid arthritis can include Disease-Modifying Antirheumatic Drugs (DMARDs). There are medications, such as Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs), that are used to fight arthritis pain and inflammation.

NSAIDs are widely available and used by individuals with arthritis. However, since these medications may cause side effects, many arthritis sufferers turn to the use of natural alternatives.

One of these natural alternatives is glucosamine, which is believed to help in the cartilage repair as well as in improving overall joint health. This natural supplement is popular not just in individuals with arthritis but also athletes.

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