BACKGROUND: Several components of the metabolic syndrome coincide with those risk factors linked to sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). According to the thrifty phenotype hypothesis, the metabolic syndrome can be caused by events during the fetal period. This study tests the thrifty phenotype hypothesis on hearing, using body size at birth and conscription as indirect markers for fetal programming and body mass index as an indicator for the metabolic syndrome. METHODS: Odds ratios were used to analyze birth data regarding body size from birth to conscription as risk factors for hearing loss in 245,092 conscripted Swedish men. FINDINGS: Compared with conscripts born short for gestational age with catch-up growth, those born short with absence of catch-up growth exhibited 134% higher risk of SNHL. Adult short stature was associated with a 50% increased risk. Compared with conscripts with average body mass index, overweight was associated with 30%, obesity with 99%, and overweight if born light for gestational age with 118% higher risk of SNHL. Conscripts born light for gestational age had a 41% increased risk, independent of the later growth pattern. CONCLUSION: The thrifty phenotype hypothesis also seems to be valid for SNHL, meaning that SNHL in adulthood may originate from events during fetal life. SNHL might be a new clinical feature of the metabolic syndrome.
BACKGROUND: Several components of the metabolic syndrome coincide with those risk factors linked to sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL). According to the thrifty phenotype hypothesis, the metabolic syndrome can be caused by events during the fetal period. This study tests the thrifty phenotype hypothesis on hearing, using body size at birth and conscription as indirect markers for fetal programming and body mass index as an indicator for the metabolic syndrome. METHODS: Odds ratios were used to analyze birth data regarding body size from birth to conscription as risk factors for hearing loss in 245,092 conscripted Swedish men. FINDINGS: Compared with conscripts born short for gestational age with catch-up growth, those born short with absence of catch-up growth exhibited 134% higher risk of SNHL. Adult short stature was associated with a 50% increased risk. Compared with conscripts with average body mass index, overweight was associated with 30%, obesity with 99%, and overweight if born light for gestational age with 118% higher risk of SNHL. Conscripts born light for gestational age had a 41% increased risk, independent of the later growth pattern. CONCLUSION: The thrifty phenotype hypothesis also seems to be valid for SNHL, meaning that SNHL in adulthood may originate from events during fetal life. SNHL might be a new clinical feature of the metabolic syndrome.
Authors: Michael W Church; John W Hotra; Pamela A Holmes; Jennifer I Anumba; Desmond A Jackson; Brittany R Adams Journal: Alcohol Clin Exp Res Date: 2011-08-04 Impact factor: 3.455
Authors: Cynthia G Fowler; Kirstin Beach Chiasson; Ricki J Colman; Joseph W Kemnitz; T Mark Beasley; Richard H Weindruch Journal: Hear Res Date: 2015-07-07 Impact factor: 3.208
Authors: Erik Fransen; Vedat Topsakal; Jan-Jaap Hendrickx; Lut Van Laer; Jeroen R Huyghe; Els Van Eyken; Nele Lemkens; Samuli Hannula; Elina Mäki-Torkko; Mona Jensen; Kelly Demeester; Anke Tropitzsch; Amanda Bonaconsa; Manuela Mazzoli; Angeles Espeso; Katia Verbruggen; Joke Huyghe; Patrick L M Huygen; Sylvia Kunst; Minna Manninen; Amalia Diaz-Lacava; Michael Steffens; Thomas F Wienker; Ilmari Pyykkö; Cor W R J Cremers; Hannie Kremer; Ingeborg Dhooge; Dafydd Stephens; Eva Orzan; Markus Pfister; Michael Bille; Agnete Parving; Martti Sorri; Paul Van de Heyning; Guy Van Camp Journal: J Assoc Res Otolaryngol Date: 2008-06-10