Exploring How Blood Cell Levels Influence Subjective Tinnitus: A Cross-Sectional Case-Control Study

<b>Objectives:</b> This study aimed to analyse the haematological parameters in relation to subjective tinnitus. We hypothesise that abnormal haematological findings may correlate with increased severity and chronicity of tinnitus. This research could lead to improved diagnostic methods...

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Main Authors: Stefani Maihoub, Panayiota Mavrogeni, Gábor Dénes Répássy, András Molnár
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-06-01
Series:Audiology Research
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4349/15/3/72
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author Stefani Maihoub
Panayiota Mavrogeni
Gábor Dénes Répássy
András Molnár
author_facet Stefani Maihoub
Panayiota Mavrogeni
Gábor Dénes Répássy
András Molnár
author_sort Stefani Maihoub
collection DOAJ
description <b>Objectives:</b> This study aimed to analyse the haematological parameters in relation to subjective tinnitus. We hypothesise that abnormal haematological findings may correlate with increased severity and chronicity of tinnitus. This research could lead to improved diagnostic methods and more targeted treatments. <b>Material and Methods:</b> A total of 439 patients with primary subjective tinnitus and 274 individuals without tinnitus were enrolled. These participants underwent comprehensive laboratory testing, which included haematological parameters. <b>Results:</b> When comparing the white blood cell levels between the tinnitus group and the control group, no statistically significant differences were found (<i>p</i> = 0.743). Similarly, comparisons of red blood cell levels (<i>p</i> = 0.250), haemoglobin levels (<i>p</i> = 0.087), and haematocrit levels (<i>p</i> = 0.066) also revealed no significant differences. The platelet levels showed no significant difference between the two groups (<i>p</i> = 0.782). According to a logistic regression model, lower levels of haemoglobin (<i>p</i> = 0.000) and platelets (<i>p</i> = 0.000) significantly predicted higher scores on the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, indicating self-reported tinnitus severity. Furthermore, lower haemoglobin levels were significant predictors (<i>p</i> = 0.04) of developing bilateral tinnitus. Using Spearman’s correlation test, a statistically significant negative correlation (<i>p</i> = 0.029) was observed between red blood cell levels and the onset of tinnitus. The frequency of tinnitus demonstrated a significant positive correlation with haemoglobin levels (<i>p</i> = 0.04) and haematocrit levels (<i>p</i> = 0.043). Conversely, platelet levels showed a significant negative correlation with both tinnitus intensity (<i>p</i> = 0.002) and the onset of tinnitus (<i>p</i> = 0.033). <b>Conclusions:</b> While the haematological parameters showed no significant differences between the tinnitus and control groups, further analyses indicated that certain parameters, such as haemoglobin and haematocrit levels, could potentially influence tinnitus, necessitating further investigation.
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spelling doaj-art-45bbf253deb2404fa29fd721dc7959862025-08-20T03:32:31ZengMDPI AGAudiology Research2039-43492025-06-011537210.3390/audiolres15030072Exploring How Blood Cell Levels Influence Subjective Tinnitus: A Cross-Sectional Case-Control StudyStefani Maihoub0Panayiota Mavrogeni1Gábor Dénes Répássy2András Molnár3Maihoub ENT Clinic, Aliakmona Street 16, Limassol 3117, CyprusTóth Ilona Health Service, Clinical Medical Institute, Görgey Artúr Tér 8, 1212 Budapest, HungaryDepartment of Otorhinolaryngology and Head and Neck Surgery, Semmelweis University, Szigony u. 36, 1083 Budapest, HungaryOpera Clinic, Protone Audio Kft., Lázár u. 4, 1065 Budapest, Hungary<b>Objectives:</b> This study aimed to analyse the haematological parameters in relation to subjective tinnitus. We hypothesise that abnormal haematological findings may correlate with increased severity and chronicity of tinnitus. This research could lead to improved diagnostic methods and more targeted treatments. <b>Material and Methods:</b> A total of 439 patients with primary subjective tinnitus and 274 individuals without tinnitus were enrolled. These participants underwent comprehensive laboratory testing, which included haematological parameters. <b>Results:</b> When comparing the white blood cell levels between the tinnitus group and the control group, no statistically significant differences were found (<i>p</i> = 0.743). Similarly, comparisons of red blood cell levels (<i>p</i> = 0.250), haemoglobin levels (<i>p</i> = 0.087), and haematocrit levels (<i>p</i> = 0.066) also revealed no significant differences. The platelet levels showed no significant difference between the two groups (<i>p</i> = 0.782). According to a logistic regression model, lower levels of haemoglobin (<i>p</i> = 0.000) and platelets (<i>p</i> = 0.000) significantly predicted higher scores on the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, indicating self-reported tinnitus severity. Furthermore, lower haemoglobin levels were significant predictors (<i>p</i> = 0.04) of developing bilateral tinnitus. Using Spearman’s correlation test, a statistically significant negative correlation (<i>p</i> = 0.029) was observed between red blood cell levels and the onset of tinnitus. The frequency of tinnitus demonstrated a significant positive correlation with haemoglobin levels (<i>p</i> = 0.04) and haematocrit levels (<i>p</i> = 0.043). Conversely, platelet levels showed a significant negative correlation with both tinnitus intensity (<i>p</i> = 0.002) and the onset of tinnitus (<i>p</i> = 0.033). <b>Conclusions:</b> While the haematological parameters showed no significant differences between the tinnitus and control groups, further analyses indicated that certain parameters, such as haemoglobin and haematocrit levels, could potentially influence tinnitus, necessitating further investigation.https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4349/15/3/72subjective tinnitusblood cell levelshaematological parameterstinnitus severity
spellingShingle Stefani Maihoub
Panayiota Mavrogeni
Gábor Dénes Répássy
András Molnár
Exploring How Blood Cell Levels Influence Subjective Tinnitus: A Cross-Sectional Case-Control Study
Audiology Research
subjective tinnitus
blood cell levels
haematological parameters
tinnitus severity
title Exploring How Blood Cell Levels Influence Subjective Tinnitus: A Cross-Sectional Case-Control Study
title_full Exploring How Blood Cell Levels Influence Subjective Tinnitus: A Cross-Sectional Case-Control Study
title_fullStr Exploring How Blood Cell Levels Influence Subjective Tinnitus: A Cross-Sectional Case-Control Study
title_full_unstemmed Exploring How Blood Cell Levels Influence Subjective Tinnitus: A Cross-Sectional Case-Control Study
title_short Exploring How Blood Cell Levels Influence Subjective Tinnitus: A Cross-Sectional Case-Control Study
title_sort exploring how blood cell levels influence subjective tinnitus a cross sectional case control study
topic subjective tinnitus
blood cell levels
haematological parameters
tinnitus severity
url https://www.mdpi.com/2039-4349/15/3/72
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AT panayiotamavrogeni exploringhowbloodcelllevelsinfluencesubjectivetinnitusacrosssectionalcasecontrolstudy
AT gabordenesrepassy exploringhowbloodcelllevelsinfluencesubjectivetinnitusacrosssectionalcasecontrolstudy
AT andrasmolnar exploringhowbloodcelllevelsinfluencesubjectivetinnitusacrosssectionalcasecontrolstudy