European archives of oto-rhino-laryngology : official journal of the European Federation of Oto-Rhino-Laryngological Societies (EUFOS) : affiliated with the German Society for Oto-Rhino-Laryngology - Head and Neck Surgery
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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol · May 2014
Meta AnalysisMeta-analysis of clinical studies with betahistine in Ménière's disease and vestibular vertigo.
We present a meta-analysis of 12 double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical studies with betahistine in patients suffering from vestibular vertigo or Ménière's disease, based on both published and unpublished data. The clinical endpoint we used was the investigator's overall opinion on the response to treatment of the vertigo symptoms, after at least 1 month of treatment. We introduce a new effect parameter, the odds of a favorable treatment outcome, with the odds ratio as measure to compare the responses of betahistine and placebo patients. ⋯ Sub-analyses conducted for patients with Ménière's disease on one hand and with vestibular vertigo on the other hand also yielded statistically significant results. For Ménière's disease, the meta-analytical odds ratio was 3.37 (95% CI 2.14-5.29); for vestibular vertigo, the odds ratio was 2.23 (95% CI 1.20-4.14). Our meta-analysis supports the therapeutic benefit of betahistine on vertiginous symptoms in both Ménière's disease and vestibular vertigo.
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Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol · May 2014
ReviewInner ear damage following electric current and lightning injury: a literature review.
Audiovestibular sequelae of electrical injury, due to lightning or electric current, are probably much more common than indicated in literature. The aim of the study was to review the impact of electrical injury on the cochleovestibular system. Studies were identified through Medline, Embase, CINAHL and eMedicine databases. ⋯ The pathophysiology of cochleovestibular damage following electrical injury is unresolved. The mechanism of injury following lightning strike is likely to be quite different from that following domestic or industrial electrical injury. The formulation of an audiovestibular management protocol for patients who have suffered electrical injuries and systematic reporting of all such events is recommended.