Evaluation of the effect of chronic renal failure on vestibular functions

Chronic renal failure (CFR) is a very common systemic disorder that can cause dysfunction in many organs. It is known that chronic renal failure also affects the inner ear. Therefore, the aim of this study is to examine the effect of CFR on auditory and vestibular functions. The patients with predialysis (PD) and renal transplantation (RTx), who were followed up by the Çukurova University Nephrology Department with the diagnosis of CRF, and receiving regular hemodialysis (HD) and conservative treatments, were included between January 1st, 2019 and September 1st, 2021. Acoustic impedance, Puretone audiometry, C-VEMP, V-HIT and biochemistry tests were performed at Çukurova University Faculty of Medicine, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Audiology Unit. Findings were compared to control groups (n=22). There were hearing loss in 11 (57.8%) of 19 patients with HD; 11 (57.8%) of 19 patients with PD, 9 patients (50%) of 18 with RTx patients, and just one patient in control group. The rate of hearing loss in study group was statistically higher than the control group. There were no C-VEMP response in 7(36,8%) of 19 HD-patients, 6 (31.6%) of 19 HD patients, 5 (27,8%) of RTx patients and 2 (9.1%) in the control group. Although the rate of presence rate was lower in the study group, there were no significant difference. Our study is the first to evaluate vestibular system functions with VHIT in patients with chronic renal failure. There was no difference between groups in VOR gains. However, 14 (12.2%) of the total number of SSCs in the HD group, 9 (7.9%) of the total number of SSCs in the PD group, 8 (7.4%) of the total number of SSCs in the RTx group and 2 (1.5%) of the total number of SSCs in the control group had decreased VOR gains. The number of effected canals was higher in study group than control group. There is no significant correlation between biochemistry (except Na) hearing loss and C-VEMP results. In conclusion, according to the data of our study, both the auditory and vestibular systems can be affected at different stages of CRF.