Using Audiometry to Track Atherosclerosis: Measuring a Beneficial Effect of Methotrexate in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract

Objectives: To correlate audiometry with atherosclerosis. Presbycusis is associated with age and atherosclerosis; a strong correlation might present opportunities to use audiometry to track atherosclerosis disease. Design: The authors tested 87 elderly patients with rheumatoid arthritis (age range: 80–101 years; median: 86 years) with a history of methotrexate use for over 20 years. After 50 years of age, hearing loss begins slowly and by the age of 90, the majority of the general population require hearing aids. In the 87 elderly participants, however, hearing was remarkably preserved. Results: The observed cohort of 87 individuals showed better hearing than predicted compared to audiometry historically documented in the elderly (p<0.001). The patients tested one to two decades younger than expected on audiometry and 44% of patients qualified for hearing aids instead of the expected 80%, based on age. Conclusion: The known reduction in atherosclerosis with methotrexate use in rheumatoid arthritis may account for this observed preservation of hearing.1,2 As hearing and atherosclerosis are related, the authors further postulated that routine audiometry may provide a cost-effective screening tool for other populations in future atherosclerosis studies.

Keywords

• atherosclerosis
• audiometry
• methotrexate
• rheumatoid arthritis