OBJECTIVE: One of the most debated topics in tinnitus is its standard and practical classification. The most popular classification distinguishes subjective from objective tinnitus. Other classifications are based on different features. On the whole, they seem incomplete, and the diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms are often difficult for practical purposes. The aim of this work is to develop a new diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm. METHODS: Our model is based on 10 years of experience. In particular, the starting point is the data retrieved from 212 consecutive patients in our Tinnitus Unit between May and December 2013: We found a clear auditory disorder in 74.5% of the population, muscolo-skeletal disorders and/or trigeminal disease in 57.1%, and psychiatric comorbidities in 43.8%. Different features coexisted in 59.9% of the population. RESULTS: Following such data we propose the Tinnitus Holistic Simplified Classification, which takes into account the different tinnitogenic mechanisms and the interactions between them. It differentiates tinnitus that arises from: (1) auditory alterations (Auditory Tinnitus), (2) complex auditory-somatosensory interactions (Somatosensory Tinnitus), (3) psychopathological-auditory interactions (Psychopathology-related Tinnitus), and (4) 2 or all of the previous mechanisms (Combined Tinnitus). CONCLUSIONS: In our opinion this classification provides an accurate and easy tailored path to manage tinnitus patients.
OBJECTIVE: One of the most debated topics in tinnitus is its standard and practical classification. The most popular classification distinguishes subjective from objective tinnitus. Other classifications are based on different features. On the whole, they seem incomplete, and the diagnostic and therapeutic algorithms are often difficult for practical purposes. The aim of this work is to develop a new diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm. METHODS: Our model is based on 10 years of experience. In particular, the starting point is the data retrieved from 212 consecutive patients in our Tinnitus Unit between May and December 2013: We found a clear auditory disorder in 74.5% of the population, muscolo-skeletal disorders and/or trigeminal disease in 57.1%, and psychiatric comorbidities in 43.8%. Different features coexisted in 59.9% of the population. RESULTS: Following such data we propose the Tinnitus Holistic Simplified Classification, which takes into account the different tinnitogenic mechanisms and the interactions between them. It differentiates tinnitus that arises from: (1) auditory alterations (Auditory Tinnitus), (2) complex auditory-somatosensory interactions (Somatosensory Tinnitus), (3) psychopathological-auditory interactions (Psychopathology-related Tinnitus), and (4) 2 or all of the previous mechanisms (Combined Tinnitus). CONCLUSIONS: In our opinion this classification provides an accurate and easy tailored path to manage tinnituspatients.
Authors: Jose A Lopez-Escamez; Thanos Bibas; Rilana F F Cima; Paul Van de Heyning; Marlies Knipper; Birgit Mazurek; Agnieszka J Szczepek; Christopher R Cederroth Journal: Front Neurosci Date: 2016-08-19 Impact factor: 4.677
Authors: Massimo Ralli; Giancarlo Altissimi; A Di Stadio; Filippo Mazzei; Rosaria Turchetta; Giancarlo Cianfrone Journal: J Int Med Res Date: 2016-11-11 Impact factor: 1.671
Authors: Massimo Ralli; Antonio Greco; Rosaria Turchetta; Giancarlo Altissimi; Marco de Vincentiis; Giancarlo Cianfrone Journal: J Int Med Res Date: 2017-05-28 Impact factor: 1.671
Authors: Massimo Ralli; Maria Paola Balla; Antonio Greco; Giancarlo Altissimi; Pasquale Ricci; Rosaria Turchetta; Armando de Virgilio; Marco de Vincentiis; Serafino Ricci; Giancarlo Cianfrone Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2017-09-08 Impact factor: 3.390