Alfonso Scarpa1, Massimo Ralli2, Pasquale Viola3, Claudia Cassandro4, Matteo Alicandri-Ciufelli5, Maurizio Iengo6, Giuseppe Chiarella3, Marco de Vincentiis7, Michele Cavaliere6, Ettore Cassandro1. 1. Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Salerno, Salerno, Italy. 2. Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00186, Rome, Italy. massimo.ralli@uniroma1.it. 3. Unit of Audiology, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Regional Centre for Cochlear Implants and ENT Diseases, Magna Graecia University, Catanzaro, Italy. 4. Surgical Sciences Department, University of Turin, Turin, Italy. 5. Otolaryngology Department, University Hospital of Modena, Modena, Italy. 6. Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive and Odontostomatologic Science, Ear, Nose and Throat Section, University of Naples ''Federico II'', Napoli, Italy. 7. Department of Sense Organs, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale del Policlinico 155, 00186, Rome, Italy.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Specially processed cereals (SPC) that increase endogenous antisecretory factor (AF) synthesis have been proposed to improve symptoms of Meniere's disease (MD) with controversial results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of SPC in patients with definite unilateral MD and compare the results to a treatment protocol with intravenous glycerol and dexamethasone. METHODS: Thirteen patients with unilateral MD were treated with SPC and 13 patients were treated with intravenous glycerol and dexamethasone for 12 months. Audio-vestibular evaluation was performed before (T0) and at the end of the treatments (T12). The number of vertigo spells were evaluated before and after therapy and the Efficacy Index (EI) was calculated. Questionnaires for hearing loss (HHIA), tinnitus (THI) and quality of life (TFL) were administered. RESULTS: EI decreased in the SPC group in the second semester compared to the first although not significantly (p = 0.6323). There was a significant reduction for THI score in the SPC group at T12 (p = 0.0325). No significant differences were found between the two groups at T0 (p = 0.4723), while a significant difference was found at T12 (p = 0.0041). Quality of life showed an improvement in daily activities in the SPC group compared to infusion therapy group. CONCLUSION: Our study shows a reduced number of vertigo attacks and a positive effect on the discomfort generated by tinnitus and quality of life in patients with unilateral MD treated with SPC and when compared to patients treated with intravenous glycerol and dexamethasone. No effects on hearing thresholds were noted in both groups.
PURPOSE: Specially processed cereals (SPC) that increase endogenous antisecretory factor (AF) synthesis have been proposed to improve symptoms of Meniere's disease (MD) with controversial results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of SPC in patients with definite unilateral MD and compare the results to a treatment protocol with intravenous glycerol and dexamethasone. METHODS: Thirteen patients with unilateral MD were treated with SPC and 13 patients were treated with intravenous glycerol and dexamethasone for 12 months. Audio-vestibular evaluation was performed before (T0) and at the end of the treatments (T12). The number of vertigo spells were evaluated before and after therapy and the Efficacy Index (EI) was calculated. Questionnaires for hearing loss (HHIA), tinnitus (THI) and quality of life (TFL) were administered. RESULTS: EI decreased in the SPC group in the second semester compared to the first although not significantly (p = 0.6323). There was a significant reduction for THI score in the SPC group at T12 (p = 0.0325). No significant differences were found between the two groups at T0 (p = 0.4723), while a significant difference was found at T12 (p = 0.0041). Quality of life showed an improvement in daily activities in the SPC group compared to infusion therapy group. CONCLUSION: Our study shows a reduced number of vertigo attacks and a positive effect on the discomfort generated by tinnitus and quality of life in patients with unilateral MD treated with SPC and when compared to patients treated with intravenous glycerol and dexamethasone. No effects on hearing thresholds were noted in both groups.
Authors: Massimo Ralli; Vittorio D'Aguanno; Arianna Di Stadio; Armando De Virgilio; Adelchi Croce; Lucia Longo; Antonio Greco; Marco de Vincentiis Journal: J Immunol Res Date: 2018-08-19 Impact factor: 4.818
Authors: P Viola; A Scarpa; D Pisani; C Petrolo; T Aragona; L Spadera; P De Luca; F M Gioacchini; M Ralli; E Cassandro; C Cassandro; G Chiarella Journal: Transl Med UniSa Date: 2020-05-31
Authors: C Cassandro; A Manassero; A Scarpa; V Landi; G Aschero; S Lovallo; P Velardo; P De Luca; A Albera; R Albera; E Cassandro Journal: Transl Med UniSa Date: 2019-01-12
Authors: C Cassandro; P De Luca; M Ralli; F Gioacchini; F Di Berardino; A Albera; R Albera; E Cassandro; A Scarpa Journal: Transl Med UniSa Date: 2019-01-12