TITLE:
Determinants of the Sensorineural Hearing Loss in Patients with Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo): A Prospective Cohort Study
AUTHORS:
Mireille Avilaw Mpwate, Eddy Mampuya Mbambu, Gabriel Mabuaka Lema, Christian Nzanza Matanda, Dominique Mayuku Mupepe, Michel Kayomo Kaswa, Murielle Luengiladio Aloni, Nicole Muzutie Anshambi, Fabrice Mankangu Matuta, Luc Losenga Lukasu, Serge Katya Mpwate, Pierre Zalagile Akilimali, Innocent Murhula Kashongwe, Zacharie Munogolo Kashongwe, Jean Marie Ntumba Kayembe, Richard Nzanza Matanda
KEYWORDS:
Multidrug-Resistant Tuberculosis, Determinants, Hearing Loss, DRC
JOURNAL NAME:
International Journal of Otolaryngology and Head & Neck Surgery,
Vol.12 No.6,
November
16,
2023
ABSTRACT: Background: The onset of the hearing loss is a major challenge during the treatment of multidrug-resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB). Aminoglycoside-based regimens, to a lesser extent based on bedaquiline, induce ototoxic sensorineural hearing loss. Research on risk factors is essential to enable high-risk individuals to benefit from preventive measures in settings with limited resources. Objective: This study aimed to assess the determinants of the hearing loss in patients with MDR-TB. Methods: This prospective multicenter cohort study included 337 patients with MDR-TB. It was performed in Kinshasa (Democratic Republic of the Congo) between January 2020 and January 2021. Sociodemographic, clinical, biological, therapeutic, and audiometric data were exported and analyzed using Stata 17 and MedCalc. The fixed-effect linear regression panel model was used to assess the degree of the hearing loss over time according to the following covariates: therapeutic regimen (aminoglycosides, bedaquiline, or alternate), stage of chronic kidney disease (CKD), age at inclusion, body mass index, serum albumin level, HIV status, alcohol intake, hypertension, and hemoglobin level. The Hausman test was used to select between fixed- and random-effect estimators. The threshold for statistical significance was set at p Result: A total of 236 patients (70%) received an aminoglycoside-based regimen, 61 (18%) received a bedaquiline-based regimen, and 40 (12%) received aminoglycosides relayed by bedaquiline. The frequency of the hearing loss increased from 62% to 96.3% within six months for all therapeutic regimens. The Hearing loss worsened, with moderate (72.4%) and profound (16%) deafness being predominant. An Exposure to the treatment for more than one month (β coeff: 27.695, Se: 0.793, p β coeff: 6.102, Se: 1.779, p β coeff: 5.610, Se: 1.682, p = 0.001), and an eGFR 2 (β coeff: 6.730, Se: 2.70, p = 0.013) were the independent risk factors associated with the hearing loss in patients with MDR-TB. Conclusions: The Hearing loss was more prevalent and worsened during the treatment of the patients with MDR-TB. An Exposure for more than one month, AG-based regimens, advanced age, hypoalbuminemia, and CKD have emerged as the main determinants of the worsening of the hearing loss.