Effects of primary Sjögren's syndrome on hearing and vestibular systems

Objective This study aimed to evaluate primary Sjögren's syndrome patients in terms of hearing and vestibular functions. Methods The patient group consisted of 35 individuals diagnosed with primary Sjögren's syndrome and a control group of 35 healthy individuals similar in terms of age and gender. Results The rate of hearing loss in the patient group was significantly higher than in the control group (p = 0.021). The N1 latency value for the ocular vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials test was significantly longer in the patient group than in the control group (p = 0.037). Additionally, the posterior semicircular canal and lateral semicircular canal vestibulo-ocular reflex gain values were significantly lower than in the control group (p = 0.022 and p < 0.001, respectively). Conclusion These results indicate subclinical vestibular involvement and hearing loss in primary Sjögren's syndrome patients. Vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials and video head impulse tests can be used to detect vestibular involvement in primary Sjögren's syndrome patients.