Tinnitus and Heart Failure in Elderly Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Borghi Claudio, Cosentino Eugenio R, Rinaldi Elisa R, Brandolini Cristina, Rimondi Maria C, Veronesi Maddalena, Cicero Arrigo FG, Dormi Ada, Pirodda Antonio
Primary Institution: Department of Internal Medicine, Aging and Kidney Diseases, Internal Medicine Unit, Bologna, Italy
Hypothesis
Is there a relationship between tinnitus and the severity of chronic heart failure in elderly patients?
Conclusion
Tinnitus is associated with worse control of chronic heart failure in elderly patients.
Supporting Evidence
- 24.3% of patients had tinnitus.
- Patients with tinnitus had lower blood pressure and left ventricular ejection fraction.
- One-year mortality and hospitalization rates were higher in patients with tinnitus.
Takeaway
Tinnitus is a ringing in the ears that many older people have, and it might mean their heart isn't working as well as it should.
Methodology
A cross-sectional study with long-term follow-up was conducted on 958 elderly patients with chronic heart failure to assess the relationship between tinnitus and heart failure severity.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to reliance on self-reported tinnitus without objective confirmation.
Limitations
The study was limited to elderly patients and relied on a questionnaire for tinnitus diagnosis without confirmatory evaluations.
Participant Demographics
958 elderly patients (age > 65 years), 530 male and 428 female.
Statistical Information
P-Value
P <.002
Confidence Interval
0.37 to 0.93
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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