Association of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease With Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Among Older Adults.

OBJECTIVES

This study examined the association between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and the risk of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) in elderly individuals.

METHODS

A population-based cohort study using the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Senior cohort included 189,623 individuals aged 65 and older, categorized as non-SLD or MASLD. Cox proportional hazards regression and Fine-Gray subdistribution hazard models were used to evaluate the risk of SSNHL and Ménière's disease, considering all-cause mortality as a competing event.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics showed that MASLD participants had higher metabolic dysfunction markers, including elevated body mass index, waist circumference, and blood pressure, compared to the non-SLD group. During 9 years of follow-up, 3803 SSNHL events occurred in the MASLD group, with an incidence rate of 2.44 per 1000 person-years. After inverse probability of treatment weighting, MASLD was associated with a significantly increased risk of SSNHL (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00-1.10;  = 0.039; subdistribution hazard ratio: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01-1.11;  = 0.016).

CONCLUSION

MASLD is associated with an increased risk of SSNHL. This study provides evidence supporting a metabolic influence on auditory health, warranting further investigation into the liver-ear axis.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Step 3 (Level 3*)-Cohort study.