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Biomedical subjects

De-min Han

Publications and source records attributed to De-min Han.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources

[Immunological characteristics of 1291 cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome in Beijing].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the immunological characteristics of the cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in Beijing City. METHODS: Clinical data of 1291 patients with SARS from March to July 2003 in Beijing City were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: In patients with SARS, the absolute numbers of white blood cells, lymphocytes and CD(3), CD(4) and CD(8) lymphocyte subsets decreased during the early period of the disease, being manifested in 56.91%, 88.26%, 47.96%, 45.56% and 41.10% of the patients, respectively. During the first 3 days the median numbers of CD(3), CD(4) and CD(8) were 425 x 10(6)/L, 223 x 10(6)/L, 170 x 10(6)/L, respectively, being the lowest values in the course of the disease. During the second week the corresponding numbers were 536 x 10(6)/L, 267 x 10(6)/L, 224 x 10(6)/L, respectively; they returned to normal by the fourth week (P < 0.05), showing a trend of gradual increase during the disease progression. Comparison of different time points of the same cases also showed that CD(3), CD(4) and CD(8) were lowest in the first 1 - 3 days. The median number of CD(3) was higher (954 x 10(6)/L) during week 3, and there was no significant difference among other 3 weeks (P > 0.05). In the early period of the disease the CRP increased but ESR, C(3) and C(4) were still in normal ranges. CONCLUSIONS: In the early period of SARS, the WBC, lymphocytes, CD(3), CD(4) and CD(8) lymphocyte subsets decreased remarkably, and they tended to increase as the disease progressed. Simultaneous decreases in CD(3), CD(4) and CD(8) during the first week is a characteristic immunological change, which may facilitate the early diagnosis of SARS.

Adolescent↗

[The early warning signs of deterioration of severe acute respiratory syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the risk factors related to severe cases of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) in order to find the early warning signs of deterioration of this disease. METHODS: Three hundred and fifty-five patients with severe SARS and 841 patients with regular SARS from Beijing were studied. RESULTS: Patients with elder age or with comorbid conditions were more likely to develop into severe cases. Data also showed the following characteristics in those severe cases: sustained fever, tachycardia (pulse rate being over 100 per minute), persistent decrease in lymphocytes (< 0.9 x 10(9)/L), increase in neutrophils (> 7.1 x 10(9)/L, 80%), and rapid changes in abnormal chest X-ray. The Cox proportional hazard multi-variable stepwise analysis showed the prediction model of severe SARS included age, comorbid disease, body temperature being still abnormal after 2 days of hospitalization, neutrophil percentage began to increase steadily to more than 80% after 3 days of hospitalization, counts of lymphocytes persisted < 0.9 x 10(9)/L after 4 days of hospitalization. CONCLUSIONS: According to patient's age, comorbid conditions, one can effectively predict the development of the severe SARS by closely monitoring temperature, pulse rate, the counts of lymphocytes and percent of neutrophils.

Adult↗

[The clinical characteristics and staging of severe acute respiratory syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics and to initiate a clinical staging of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). METHODS: Retrospective analysis was conducted in the clinical symptoms, physical signs and the results of laboratory examinations from 1170 cases with SARS in Beijing, and the clinical characteristics in different stages of the disease were compared. RESULTS: The initial symptom of SARS was pyrexia and the temperature was > 38 degrees C. The natural course of fever was about 14 days. In almost all cases, the respiratory symptoms and systemic toxic manifestations were observed. They came to a climax at the second week and then decreased or nearly disappeared after the third week. The physical signs of SARS were not obvious. The moist rales were observed in 43.3% of patients. Hypoxemia was a common characteristic in SARS. The decrease in partial pressure of oxygen in artery and oxygen saturation in pulse oximeter with normal partial pressure of carbon dioxide was found in most patients at the second week. Abnormal chest X-ray including infiltration and consolidation shadows were seen in 100% of patients. The abnormal images could be found at the first day, enlarged during the second week (to a climax at the 8th or 9th day), and then recovered from the 2 week. The amounts of CD(4)(+), CD(8)(+), and CD(3)(+) of peripheral blood were decreased at the early stage and recovered after 2 or 3 weeks. Some patients suffered from temporary multiple organ dysfunctions (mainly impairments of liver and myocardium). CONCLUSION: The main clinical manifestations of SARS included respiratory and systemic toxic symptoms. The typical course of the disease was about 4 weeks. The first week could be considered as early stage, the second week as fastigium stage, and from the next two weeks as recovery stage.

Blood Gas Analysis↗

[Side effects of glucocorticosteroids in the management of 1291 patients of SARS].

OBJECTIVE: To analysis the relationship between glucocorticosteroids (GCS) usage and side effects in the treatment of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS). METHODS: All clinical records of probable SARS patients in Beijing were collected and input into an Epi6 database, in which 1 291 patients had entire information and met the clinical criteria of SARS. The usage of GCS and GCS associated side effects were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Patients accepted GCS therapy were 83.96% (n=1 084), whereas 16.04%(n=207) did not take GCS. The average dosage of GCS was 160 mg/d in the first week, and then reduced to 80 mg/d and 40 mg/d in the second and the third weeks, respectively. Initial blood glucose, systolic pressure (SBP), and diastolic pressure (DBP) were no significant difference between GCS group and non-GCS group. The highest blood glucose during the treatment in GCS group was markedly higher than that in non-GCS group [(8.68+/-4.80) mmol/L vs (6.39+/-3.71) mmol/L, P<0.05)]. The highest blood glucose and average blood glucose after initiation of GCS therapy were elevated in GCS group. The levels of blood glucose were correlated with the initial, maximum, and cumulative GCS dosages. Average blood glucose was increased markedly in groups with MP(Initial) > or =80 mg/d (Methyprednisonlone), MP(Maximal) > or =160 mg/d, or MP(Cumulative) > or = 3000 mg. The blood glucose grew up significantly in the first and the second weeks in the treatment with GCS, and then returned to normal level gradually. Hyperglycemia duration in the group with MP(Cumulative) > or =3000 mg persisted longer than that in the other groups (P< 0.05). The lowest serum potassium during the treatment and the duration of hypokalemia in GCS group were significantly different from that in non-GCS group [(3.66+/-0.50) mmol/L vs (4.01+/-0.51) mmol/L, P< 0.001 ;1(1, 75) days vs 1(1, 9) days, P<0.05, respectively]. Average serum potassium and the duration of hypokalemia were related to the dosages of GCS. Serum potassium reached its nadir in the first week of GCS treatment and then grew up in the second week. In groups with MP(Initial) > or =320 mg/d, MP(Maximal) > or =320 mg/d, and MP(Cumulative) > or =3000 mg, the level of serum potassium was lower and the duration of hypokalemia was longer than that in other groups. They began to returned to normal level in the third week. Administration of GCS prolonged the time of hypocalcemia[19 (1, 74) days in GCS group vs 8 (1, 32) days in non-GCS group, P< 0.05]. The duration of hypocalcemia was prolonged according to the increasing of the maximal or the cumulative dosage of GCS. However, the duration of hypocalcemia in group with MP(Cumulative) <999 mg was similar to that in non-GCS group (P > 0.05). After GCS administration, SBP and DBP were increased gradually, and reached their peaks in the fourth week [SBP(117.2+/-14.0) mm Hg and DBP (72.5+/-9.1) mm Hg vs SBP (120.0+/-12.5) mm Hg and DBP (74.5+/-8.7) mm Hg, P< 0.05, 1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa]. CONCLUSION: Hyperglycemia and hypokalemia are correlated with GCS dosage and duration. Administration with GCS influences SBP, DBP, and duration of hypocalcemia. Appropriate low dosage of GCS (MP(Initial) and MP(Maximal) < 159 mg/d, MP(Cumulative)< 2999 mg) causes few changes of blood glucose, serum potassium, and blood calcium. It is important to monitor laboratory findings during the treatment with GCS.

Dose-Response Relationship, Drug↗

[Olfactory function and olfactory marker protein in patients with chronic sinusitis].

OBJECTIVE: To study the pathogenesis of dysosphresia in patients with chronic sinusitis, to discuss the expression and significance of olfaction marker protein in olfactory mucosa. METHODS: There were 55 cases with chronic sinusitis in the experimental group, and 11 cases in the control. All of them were first tested by subjective method, and then the olfactory marker protein in olfactory mucosa was examined by the method of immunohistochemistry. Tissue sections were observed under optical microscope. RESULTS: The ratio of dysosphresia in patients with chronic sinusitis was 50.9% (28/55), while by subjective olfactory test, it was 85.5% (47/55). The ratio of dysosphresia in control patients was 9.09% (1/11), by subjective olfactory test, it was 18.2% (2/11). Olfactory marker protein was identified in the olfactory cells and microvillar cells by histochemical and immunohistochemical technique (S-P method). CONCLUSIONS: The main cause of dysosphresia in patients with chronic sinusitis is the decrease, atrophy and degeneration of the olfactory cells, which lead to the failure of olfactus perception and recognition.

Adolescent↗

[Cochlear implantation in patients with inner ear malformations].

OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical experiences with multi-channel cochlear implantation in patients with bilateral inner ear malformations. METHODS: Among 410 patients who received multi-channel cochlear implantations from 1996 to 2004 in Beijing Tongren Hospital, 82 patients were diagnosed with inner ear malformations and implanted. A retrospective analysis was performed about the surgical characteristics and mapping characteristics after implantation. RESULTS: (1) All patients had auditory sensations. (2) Gusher was more common than the normal cochlear implantation. (3) The electrodes were inserted in the "cochleostomy" in full length of 80 Patients, but 2 pairs of electrodes remained outside of "cochleostomy" in 2 patients. (4) No serious complications occurred after implantation. (5) The impedance of the electrodes, the T level and C level were similar with the normal cochlear implantation. The results had no significant difference in compare with normal cochlear group (P > 0. 05). (6) The abilities of speech discrimination and spoken language were improved through rehabilitation. CONCLUSIONS: The cochlear implantation can be performed safely in inner ear malformations. The outcome of hearing rehabilitation for patients with inner ear malformations are similar to those children with normal cochlear structure followed the multi-channel cochlear implantation.

Adolescent↗

[Effect of intranasal glucosteroid on the gene expression of interleukin-5 in nasal polyps].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of intranasal glucosteroid treatment on the expression of interleukin (IL)-5 gene in nasal polyps. METHODS: Nasal polyps from topical steroid treated patients (n = 20) and untreated patients (n = 20) were investigated with the technique of mRNA in situ hybridization. RESULTS: The majority of IL-5 mRNA positive cells in nasal polyps were lymphocytes or eosinophils. No statistical significance was found in the densities of IL-5 mRNA positive cells between allergic patients [(12.6 +/- 4.6)/0.25mm2] and nonallergic patients [(14.3 +/- 4.1)/0.25mm2] (t = -0.775, P > 0.05). Compared with the control group [(13.9 +/- 4.2)/0.25mm2], the density of IL-5 mRNA positive cells was decreased in the steroid-treated group [(10. 2 +/- 3.1)/0.25mm2], and the difference reached statistical significance (t = 3.114, P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These findings indicate that topical steroid treatment may suppress the IL-5 gene expression, and steroids may inhibit eosinophil functions.

Administration, Intranasal↗

[Effectiveness of recombinant adenovirus p53 injection on laryngeal cancer: phase I clinical trial and follow up].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of recombinant adenovirus p53 injection (SBN-1) in patients with laryngeal cancer. METHODS: Twelve cases with laryngeal cancer, 11 males and 1 female, aged 59.5 +/- 12.4 years, were randomly divided into three groups of 4 patients. The patients received intratumor injection of SBN-1 at the dosage of 1 x 10(10)VP, 1 x 10(11)VP, or 1 x 10(12)VP once every other day for 2 courses of treatment with 5 times of injection as one course of treatment. Two days after the injection the patients were operated on. After the operation SBN-1 of the same doses was injected around the tumor bed. The patients were followed up for more than 3 years by correspondence and out-patient department examinations. ELISA was used to detect the serum anti-adenoviral IgG and IgM, and interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R). Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the expression of p53 protein in the tumor tissues. Flow cytometry was used to examine the T cell subgroup. The symptoms and side effects were observed. RESULTS: One patient in the 10(12)VP group presented self-limited fever (38.2-38.6 degrees C) and no other abnormality was observed after the SBN-1 injection. Specific antibody to SBN-1 turned from negative to positive two or three weeks after the first injection. P53 protein expression was significantly enhanced in tumors after injection of SBN-1. The serum level of IL-2R was 750 +/- 401 pg/ml before treatment and 552 +/- 203 pg/ml after treatment. The numbers of CD3, CD4, and CD8 were 66 +/- 10, 41 +/- 15, and 32 +/- 10 respectively before the treatment and were 67 +/- 9, 43 +/- 8, and 34 +/- 16 respectively after treatment, and the CD4/CD8 ratio was 1.4 +/- 0.6 before the treatment and was 1.6 +/- 0.9 after treatment. The abnormality in SIL-2R level and the disorder of T cell subgroup were improved in 2 cases. Followed up for over 3 years showed that all cases still lived free of cancer. CONCLUSION: Safe and effective on laryngeal cancer without obvious adverse events, local injection of SBN-1 is a promising treatment.

Adenoviridae↗

[A preliminary study of synchronous evoked potential in newborn-infant auditory and visual function test].

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to bring out the consultable laboratory values of synchronous evoked potential in normal neonates and infants, investigate the characteristic of the electric response waveform, and explore its feasibility on applying to newborn auditory and visual function test as an electric physiology detection method. METHODS: It was applied to go on measuring 19 cases of mature normal neonate (< or =4 days) and 11 cases of infants (< or =5 months), also comparing with the study of ABRs, FVEPs independently. RESULTS: Get the electric response wave form results of synchronous electric evoked potential in both groups of newborn-infants, through comparing with the result of independent ABRs and FVEPs, the monitoring result demonstrated that there were an extreme significant changes of the corresponding parameters (wave I, III, V latency) (P<0.01), and there were no significant changes of I-III, III-V interwave latency (P>0.05); it also shows that ABRs impact on FVEPs in N2 wave latency of newborn group and P1 wave latency of infant group (P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Auditory and vision pathway may be had communicated information by the neuron in the center. The technology of the auditory and visual synchronous evoked potential brings out the whole new electric physiology detection tools, it will definitely offer powerful technical support in step for newborn-infant auditory and visual function test.

Evoked Potentials, Auditory, Brain Stem↗

[Relationship between expressions of GATA-3 and interleukin-5 in nasal polyps].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of transcription factor GATA-3 in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps. METHODS: The expression of GATA-3 was detected by immunohistochemistry and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) in 28 cases of nasal polyps and 17 specimens of normal nasal epithelium. The expression of interleukin-5 (IL-5) in these specimens was detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) meanwhile. RESULTS: Immunohistochemistry showed, as confirmed by RT-PCR, a positive rate of GATA-3 of 89.3% in the nasal polyp (25/28) and 29.4% in the normal nasal mucosa (5/17), P < 0.05. GATA-3 was mainly distributed in submucous inflammatory cells. The relative density ratio of GATA-3 to GAPDH was 0.618 +/- 0.137 in nasal polyp and 0.21 +/- 0.11 in normal nasal mucosa (P < 0.05) as indicated by RT-PCR and agarose electrophoresis. The concentrations of IL-5 were 69.4 +/- 15.1 pg/ml and 25.7 +/- 13.0 pg/mg in the two groups respectively. The expression of GATA-3 was positively correlated to the expression of IL-5 in the nasal polyp. CONCLUSION: Contributing to the overexpression of such cytokines as IL-5, GATA-3 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of nasal polyps.

Adolescent↗

[Cochlear implantation in patients with inner ear malformations, clinical analysis of 25 cases].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the clinical experience of multi-channel cochlear implantation in patients with bilateral inner ear malformations. METHOD: Multi-channel cochlear implantation was conducted among 180 patients from 1997 to 2001. Twenty-five of them, being with inner ear malformations, were given hearing and speech rehabilitation including sound detection, word discrimination, auditory comprehension and spoken language skill development. A follow-up lasting 4 - 24 months was conducted after the operation. A retrospective analysis was performed among these 25 patients to observe the surgical outcomes and mapping characteristics after surgery. RESULTS: (1) All patients restored their auditory sensations after the operation. (2) Stapedial gusher was found in 13 cases with inner ear malformations, especially those with Mondini malformation, much more frequently than among the patients with other malformations. (3) Most of the action electrodes were inserted in the "cochleostomy" in full length, only 2 pairs of them remained outside of the "cochleostomy". (4) No serious complications occurred after implantation. (5) The impedance of the electrodes, T level and C level were higher in the 25 cases than in the normal cochlear implantation, however, with the hearing similar hearing threshold. (6) After training, the abilities of speech discrimination and spoken language were improved in comparison with those before operation. CONCLUSION: The cochlear implantation can be performed safely in patients with bilateral inner ear malformations. The primary outcome of cochlear implantation in hearing rehabilitation is similar for both the patients with inner ear malformations and those with normal cochlear structure.

Adolescent↗

[Expression and significance of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator and its inhibitors in squamous cell carcinoma of human larynx].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and its inhibitors(plasminogen activator inhibitors, PAI) type-1 and type-2 in squamous cell carcinoma of human larynx and reveal the correlation of the major clinicopathologicl parameters and prognosis. METHODS: uPA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 were detected from 104 cases squamous cell carcinoma of human larynx undergoing primary resection using immunohistochemistry(labeled-streptoavidin-biotin-peroxidase, SAB) method. The results were classified positive and negative. Patients were followed-up prospectively for a median of 41 months(rang 24 to 84 months). Overall survival were analyzed according to Kaplan-Meier and log-rank statistics, the prognostic relevance of uPA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 and conventional prognostic factors were analyzed by Cox analyses. RESULTS: uPA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 positivity were present both in neoplastic cells and in fibroblast cells and macrophages. However, depending on the histological grading and invasive capacity of the tumor, a pronounced intra- and intertumoral heterogeneity in uPA staining was observed. The total positive rate of uPA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 was 66.3%, 70.2% and 50.0% respectively. No relationship between the expression of these proteins and clinicopathological parameters except for lymph node metastasis and recurrence, P value was 0.010, 0.027 and 0.038 respectively. Univariate survival analysis revealed a high significant inverse correlation of uPA positive expression survival time. Patients with PAI-2 positive expression had a significantly longer survival time than those with PAI-2 negative expression. In different clinicopathological parameters subgroups, uPA, PAI-1 and PAI-2 added significant survival information. Multivariate analysis revealed that four independent prognostic factors for overall survival time were uPA, PAI-2, lymph node metastasis and recurrences and clinical stage, P = 0.001, 0.002, 0.035 and 0.005 respectively. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that uPA play important role in the metastasis of human laryngeal carcinoma and PAI-2 appears to be a true inhibitor contrary to PAI-1. PAI-1 might act as an essential modulator of the plasminogen activation system or a protector of carcinoma tissue against self-degradation rather than as a simple inhibitor of system. uPA and PAI-2 could be new independent and strong biologically prognostic factors.

Adult↗

[Expression of chloride channel in nasal mucosa with allergic rhinitis].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the role of chloride channel ClC-3 in perennial allergic rhinitis. METHODS: The nasal mucosa from 19 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis were studied by immunohistochemistric staining and reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) for the expression of ClC-3. RESULTS: ClC-3 was positively stained in 17 cases of 19 patients, with a rate of 89.6%. It mainly distributed in cytoplasm of epithelium and submucosal gland. All tissues displayed expected DNA length after PCR. The relative density of ClC-3 in mucosa with allergic rhinitis was 0.685 +/- 0.114 and 0.140 +/- 0.075 in normal. CONCLUSION: ClC-3 played an important role in the over-secretion of liquor in allergic rhinitis.

Adolescent↗

[Cochlear implants in children with enlargement of vestibular aqueduct].

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical experiences with multi-channel cochlear implantation in the children with enlargement of vestibular aqueduct. METHOD: Fifteen patients were diagnosed with enlargement of vestibular aqueduct and received multi-channel cochlear implantation at Beijing Tongren Hospital. A cochleostomy was performed for all patients by a standard facial recess approach to anterior inferior to the round window niche. RESULTS: (1) Most of the electrodes were totally inserted in the cochlear, and gusher appeared in 6 implantations. (2) No serious complications occurred after implantation. (3) All patients have auditory sensations after implantations. (4) The hearing threshold in this series were similar to that of the normal cochlear implantation (the average threshold was 30 dB). (5) The rehabilitation concept was developed by Rehabilitation Research Center for Deaf Children in Beijing and Beijing Tongren Hospital. The training sessions included sound detection, word discrimination, auditory comprehension and spoken language skill development. The abilities of speech discrimination and spoken language were improved comparing with that of pre-operation. Two of the patients could go to the normal school after implantations. CONCLUSION: The outcome of hearing rehabilitation for children with enlargement of vestibular aqueduct were similar to those children with "normal" cochlear structure followed the multi-channel cochlear implantation.

Adolescent↗

[Perioperative continuous positive airway pressure therapy for severe obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome patients].

OBJECTIVE: (1) To investigate the severe obstructive sleep apnea hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) patients' perioperative variations of their polysomnographic indices, to discuss the necessity for their perioperative treatment; (2) To investigate the effects of continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) on severe OSAHS patients during their perioperative period. METHODS: (1) 21 cases severe OSAHS patients were selected for at least 7 days preoperative CPAP therapy, and this group of patients were also given 3 continuous nights autotitrated CPAP (AutoSet) therapy postoperatively, i.e., the first 3 nights after operation. The 21 cases were remonitored with PSG during the second night after operation with their AutoSet ON. And all the 21 cases had revised uvulopalatopharygoplasty, in which the uvula is reserved completely. All patients apnea hypopnea index(AHI), lowest SaO2 (LSaO2), and sleep structure indices were calculated. (2) Another 24 cases of severe OSAHS patients without preoperative CPAP therapy or tracheotomy were selected as the control group, all patients received polysomnography (PSG) on the second night postoperatively. RESULTS: (1) 6 cases' condition of the control group got worse during the second night after operation, their LSaO2 are lower and their AHI got higher than pre-operation. For the another 18 cases, their condition got better than before operation. (2) 21 cases' AHI and LSaO2 are 61.1 +/- 9.9, 65.0% +/- 9.6% respectively before CPAP treatment, and the AHI and LSaO2 are 2.2 +/- 1.4, 94.5% +/- 2.9% during CPAP therapy. P < 0.001 (TTEST). All the 21 cases main symptoms disappeared after 1 week CPAP therapy. All 21 cases could tolerate AutoSet treatment well for the first 3 nights after operation. During the 2nd night with AutoSet therapy, the AHI and LSaO2 are 3.6 +/- 1.8 and 93.7% +/- 3.4% respectively. (3) For the 2nd night after operation, the CPAP and AutoSet treating group's AHI is lower than that of the control group, also the LSaO2 is higher, the deep and REM sleep stages are longer, and the S1, S2 sleep stages are shorter than that of the latter. CONCLUSION: For severe OSAHS patients, the postoperative condition has the possibility of getting worse. Perioperative CPAP therapy can have OSAHS patients severe condition alleviated, so the perioperative risks could be lowered; During the first 3 postoperative nights, AutoSet can be well tolerated by severe OSAHS patients.

Adult↗

[Hearing impairment in senile dementia of Alzheimer's type].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pure tone hearing threshold and word recognition score of senile dementia of the Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients, and to analyze the relationship between hearing loss and the cognition impairment. METHODS: Pure tone audiometry, word recognition score (WRS), acoustic immittance and auditory brainstem response (ABR) are used to evaluate the auditory function of 43 patients with AD and 50 subjects of the control group. The confounding factors are controlled. RESULTS: The average age of 43 dementia patients was 72.7 +/- 6.4, and 69.7% was female. Bilateral hearing thresholds are similar in all subjects. All indices but Mini-mental scale of equastionnaire (MMSE) of patients and control group were not statistically different. There was no significant difference in pure tone audiometry (PTA), PTA2 (dB HL, mean +/- s) and WRS (%, mean +/- s) between the two groups (P > 0.05), therefore the hearing threshold of AD group (PTA = 26.3 +/- 8.5, PTA2 = 29.1 +/- 8.7, WRS = 85.5 +/- 15.5) is lower than that of control group (PTA = 23.2 +/- 10.6, PTA2 = 26.2 +/- 11.8, WRS = 87.6 +/- 16.8). No significant difference was found between the two groups in audiometry reliability, acoustic immittance and ABR (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: No significant difference was found between the peripheral hearing dysfunction of AD patients and that normal elderly people, i.e., PTA, PTA2 and WRS were not related to MMSE.

Aged↗