Association of Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease With Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss Among Older Adults

Abstract

Objectives: This study examined the association between metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and the risk of sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) in elderly individuals. Methods: A population-based cohort study using the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Senior cohort included 189,623 individuals aged 65 and older, categorized as non-SLD or MASLD. Cox proportional hazards regression and Fine-Gray subdistribution hazard models were used to evaluate the risk of SSNHL and M & eacute;ni & egrave;re's disease, considering all-cause mortality as a competing event. Results: Baseline characteristics showed that MASLD participants had higher metabolic dysfunction markers, including elevated body mass index, waist circumference, and blood pressure, compared to the non-SLD group. During 9 years of follow-up, 3803 SSNHL events occurred in the MASLD group, with an incidence rate of 2.44 per 1000 person-years. After inverse probability of treatment weighting, MASLD was associated with a significantly increased risk of SSNHL (adjusted hazard ratio: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.00-1.10; p = 0.039; subdistribution hazard ratio: 1.06, 95% CI: 1.01-1.11; p = 0.016). Conclusion: MASLD is associated with an increased risk of SSNHL. This study provides evidence supporting a metabolic influence on auditory health, warranting further investigation into the liver-ear axis.