Association between neutrophil to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and hearing loss: a cross-sectional study from NHANES

Abstract Background This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the neutrophil-to-HDL cholesterol ratio (NHR) and the risk of hearing loss, as well as to evaluate the potential of the NHR as a biomarker for hearing loss. Methods The U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey...

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Main Authors: Yuxuan Yu, Zhe Shen, Yong Liu, Xin Zhang
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-04-01
Series:Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00851-0
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author Yuxuan Yu
Zhe Shen
Yong Liu
Xin Zhang
author_facet Yuxuan Yu
Zhe Shen
Yong Liu
Xin Zhang
author_sort Yuxuan Yu
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the neutrophil-to-HDL cholesterol ratio (NHR) and the risk of hearing loss, as well as to evaluate the potential of the NHR as a biomarker for hearing loss. Methods The U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data covering 2005–2012 and 2015–2020 were analyzed. A weighted multivariate logistic regression model assessed the correlation between NHR and speech-frequency hearing loss (SFHL) and high-frequency hearing loss (HFHL). Restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression analysis was utilized to investigate the nonlinear correlation. Additionally, subgroup analysis was performed to identify differences among subgroups. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of NHR in predicting hearing loss. Results A total of 10,436 participants were involved. After comprehensive adjustments for confounding factors, NHR was linearly correlated with SFHL and HFHL. Subgroup analysis revealed that race and the poverty index ratio (PIR) significantly modified the association between NHR and hearing loss. ROC analysis demonstrated the predictive capability of NHR for hearing loss. Conclusion NHR is positively correlated with the risk of hearing loss. This study suggests that NHR may serve as a potential biomarker for predicting and assessing hearing loss, demonstrating significant clinical application value. However, this cross-sectional study limits the ability to establish causality. Future longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore potential mechanisms.
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spelling doaj-art-3ec4d4e0b4d74e548240489a9fdc48292025-08-20T03:10:06ZengBMCJournal of Health, Population and Nutrition2072-13152025-04-014411910.1186/s41043-025-00851-0Association between neutrophil to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and hearing loss: a cross-sectional study from NHANESYuxuan Yu0Zhe Shen1Yong Liu2Xin Zhang3Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityDepartment of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityDepartment of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityDepartment of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xiangya Hospital, Central South UniversityAbstract Background This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the neutrophil-to-HDL cholesterol ratio (NHR) and the risk of hearing loss, as well as to evaluate the potential of the NHR as a biomarker for hearing loss. Methods The U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data covering 2005–2012 and 2015–2020 were analyzed. A weighted multivariate logistic regression model assessed the correlation between NHR and speech-frequency hearing loss (SFHL) and high-frequency hearing loss (HFHL). Restricted cubic spline (RCS) regression analysis was utilized to investigate the nonlinear correlation. Additionally, subgroup analysis was performed to identify differences among subgroups. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy of NHR in predicting hearing loss. Results A total of 10,436 participants were involved. After comprehensive adjustments for confounding factors, NHR was linearly correlated with SFHL and HFHL. Subgroup analysis revealed that race and the poverty index ratio (PIR) significantly modified the association between NHR and hearing loss. ROC analysis demonstrated the predictive capability of NHR for hearing loss. Conclusion NHR is positively correlated with the risk of hearing loss. This study suggests that NHR may serve as a potential biomarker for predicting and assessing hearing loss, demonstrating significant clinical application value. However, this cross-sectional study limits the ability to establish causality. Future longitudinal studies are needed to confirm these findings and explore potential mechanisms.https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00851-0Speech-frequency hearing lossHigh-frequency hearing lossneutrophil-to-HDL cholesterol ratioNHANES
spellingShingle Yuxuan Yu
Zhe Shen
Yong Liu
Xin Zhang
Association between neutrophil to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and hearing loss: a cross-sectional study from NHANES
Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition
Speech-frequency hearing loss
High-frequency hearing loss
neutrophil-to-HDL cholesterol ratio
NHANES
title Association between neutrophil to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and hearing loss: a cross-sectional study from NHANES
title_full Association between neutrophil to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and hearing loss: a cross-sectional study from NHANES
title_fullStr Association between neutrophil to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and hearing loss: a cross-sectional study from NHANES
title_full_unstemmed Association between neutrophil to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and hearing loss: a cross-sectional study from NHANES
title_short Association between neutrophil to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and hearing loss: a cross-sectional study from NHANES
title_sort association between neutrophil to high density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and hearing loss a cross sectional study from nhanes
topic Speech-frequency hearing loss
High-frequency hearing loss
neutrophil-to-HDL cholesterol ratio
NHANES
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-025-00851-0
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