Therapeutic effect of combined steroid-lipoprostaglandin E1 for sudden hearing loss: A propensity score-matched analysis

Objectives The aim of this study is to analyze the synergistic effect of combined steroid-lipoprostaglandin E1 for the treatment of sudden hearing loss. Methods A prospective observational, non-randomized study with a historical cohort was performed at a university hospital. Between 2005 and 2012, 421 patients with idiopathic sudden sensorineural hearing loss were enrolled in this study and treated with combined steroid-lipoprostaglandin E1 treatment. Additionally, 132 patients were prospectively enrolled and treated with steroid treatment alone between January 2013 and March 2014. After performing a propensity score-matched analysis, final hearing levels and the degree of recovery were compared according to treatment options. Results A total of 240 patients were enrolled after propensity score-matching, with 180 patients classified as combined steroid-lipoprostaglandin E1 treatment group (group I) and 60 patients as steroid treatment alone group (group II). The final hearing level (35.56 ± 34.64 dB) in group I was not significantly different from that in group II (34.64 ± 24.67 dB) (p < 0.05). Logistic regression analysis revealed that the combined treatment did not influence recovery, and the probability of recovery was 1.881 times higher in the absence of dizziness (95% confidence interval: 1.022-3.464, p = 0.042), and 1.026 times higher in patients with better hearing in healthy ears (95% confidence interval: 1.010-1.041, p = 0.001). Conclusion Compared to steroid treatment alone, combined steroid-lipoprostaglandin E1 treatment failed to improve sudden hearing loss.