Publication:

Low serum prestin level as a potential biomarker for sudden sensorineural hearing loss: a cross-sectional study

Background Prestin (SLC26A5) is a membrane motor protein that has a role in amplification and electromotility of the outer hair cells of the cochlea. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSNHL) is a rapidly emerging hearing impairment caused by damage to the cochlear hair cells. Therefore, this study aims to analyse the potential of prestin serum as a biomarker in establishing the diagnosis of SSNHL.

Methods This study is a cross-sectional analytical observational study conducted at Prof I.G.N.G. Ngoerah general hospital, a tertiary hospital in Bali involving 13 SSNHL patients who had not yet received therapy, as well as 12 healthy control subjects. Serum prestin levels were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and audiometric examinations were performed to assess the degree of hearing loss. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS statistics version 30.0 computer program. The normal serum prestin level was identified through receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The analysis was further performed with Chi-square or Fisher's exact as alternative tests and logistic regression by controlling the confounding variables to determine the risk factors of SSNHL. Statistically significant result defined as p value 450.7 pg /ml as high. Based on the Fisher exact test, low serum prestin levels were significantly associated to SSNHL with the OR 7.7 (95% CI 1.159-11.171, p=0.041). Logistic regression analysis was further performed by controlling the confounding variables and showed that low serum prestin level was significantly an independent predictor of SSNHL with an Adjusted OR 15.4 (95% CI 1.028-230.9, p=0.0048).

Conclusions Low prestin serum levels are significantly promising potential biomarkers in the diagnosis of SSNHL.