Author(s)
Young Ho Kim1, Doh Young Lee1, Ye Ji Shim1, Seung-Kuk Baek2
Affiliation(s)
1 Seoul National University Boramae Medical Center, 2 Korea University
Abstract:
INTRODUCTION: The modification of risk factors is essential in pediatric tinnitus; however, there is a lack of systematic reviews despite several reports on risk factors. This study performed a systematic review and meta-analysis of available literature to evaluate the risk factors of pediatric tinnitus. METHODS: Studies reporting the risk factors of pediatric tinnitus were systematically reviewed by searching the MEDLINE, PubMed, and Embase databases for studies published from database inception to 2016. The selected articles included clinical or epidemiological studies conducted with at least 50 subjects and at least 1 risk factor, including age, gender, hearing loss, noise exposure, or smoking. A meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. RESULTS: Eleven studies involving a total of 28,358 individuals were identified. In the meta-analysis, increased age was not a significant risk factor with a standardized median difference of 0.16 (95% confidence interval (CI), -0.01-0.33). However, there was a significant correlation between increased age and tinnitus in the adolescent population. Odds ratios were 1.37 for female gender (95% CI, 1.17-1.60), 2.39 for hearing loss (95% CI, 1.48-3.87), and 11.35 for noise exposure (95% CI, 1.87-68.77). Two studies in adolescents showed statistical significance for smoking as a risk factor in developing pediatric tinnitus (odds ratio 6.05, 95% CI 1.81-20.21). CONCLUSIONS: Older-aged adolescents, females and those with hearing loss may have a higher risk of tinnitus. Noise exposure in the general pediatric population and smoking in adolescents may represent important risk factors.