PubMed ID: 29757919
Author(s): Joo Y, Cruickshanks KJ, Klein BEK, Klein R, Hong O, Wallhagen M. Prevalence of ototoxic medication use among older adults in Beaver Dam, Wisconsin. J Am Assoc Nurse Pract. 2018 Jan;30(1):27-34. doi: 10.1097/JXX.0000000000000011. PMID 29757919
Journal: Journal Of The American Association Of Nurse Practitioners, Volume 30, Issue 1, Jan 2018
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Drug-related ototoxicity may exacerbate presbycusis (age-related hearing loss); yet, few data are available on the prevalence of ototoxic medication use by older adults. The purposes of this study were to assess the impact of aging and ototoxicity on hearing loss, the prevalence of ototoxic medication use, and select characteristics associated with ototoxic medication use among older adults.
METHODS Cross-sectional analyses were conducted using select variables extracted from the baseline and 10-year follow-up assessments of the two population-based epidemiological studies to compare two points in time.
RESULTS Ninety-one percent of the sample was taking a medication reported to be ototoxic. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were the most commonly used (75.2%), followed by acetaminophen (39.9%) and diuretics (35.6%). Hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and history of smoking were associated with ototoxic medication use. Participants with hearing loss were taking a significantly greater number of ototoxic medications than those without hearing loss.
CONCLUSION Known ototoxic medications are widely used. Any subsequent ototoxicity may interact with age changes and a more severe hearing loss than that associated with only age.
IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Nurse practitioners should inform older adults about the possibility of drug-related ototoxicity and monitor hearing acuity of all older adults taking known ototoxic medications.