Abstract
Patients with Meniere's disease were investigated for possible immunologic abnormalities. A total of 104 cases—55 bilateral and 49 unilateral—were examined. Immune activity was assessed using four types of immune parameters: (1) the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) and C-reative protein levels (CRP); (2) serum immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgM, and IgA); (3) complement levels (C3, C4, and CH50); and (4) autoantibody levels (rheumatoid factor, anti-DNA antibody, and antinuclear antibody). Patients with severe immunologic abnormalities (16% of the bilateral cases and 2% of the unilateral cases) typically displayed bilateral severe hearing loss, bilateral decreased vestibular response, and excellent responsiveness to steroid treatment. As patients with bilateral involvement account for approximately 30% of all cases of Meniere's disease in Japan, immunologic involvement may be assumed in about 6% of the total. The severity of these patients' symptoms and their responsiveness to steroid treatment suggest that the possibility of immunologic involvement is well worth investigation in Meniere's disease.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.