Variations in the Cadherin 23 Gene Associated With Noise-Induced Hearing Loss.

BACKGROUND

The relationship between CDH23 gene variants and NIHL is unclear. This study investigates the association between () gene variants and noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).

METHODS

This is a case-control study. Workers who were exposed to noise from a steel factory in North China were recruited and divided into two groups: the case group (both ears' high-frequency threshold average [BHFTA] ≥40dB) and the control group (BHFTA ≤25 dB). This study used the generalised multifactor dimensionality reduction method to analyse the association among 18 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in and NIHL. Logistic regression was performed to investigate the main effects of SNPs and the interactions between cumulative noise exposure (CNE) and SNPs. Furthermore, CNE was adjusted for age, gender, smoking, drinking, physical exercise and hypertension.

RESULTS

This study recruited 1,117 participants. The results showed that for rs11592462, participants who carried the GG genotype showed an association with NIHL greater than that of those who carried the CC genotype. Accordingly, genetic variation in the gene could play an essential role in determining individual susceptibility to NIHL.

CONCLUSION

Genetic variations in the gene may play an important role in determining individual susceptibility to NIHL. These results provide new insight into the pathogenesis and early prevention of NIHL.