Assessment of retinal and hearing impairments related to microvascular dysfunction in metabolic syndrome
Northern Clinics of Istanbul, cilt.13, sa.1, ss.8-18, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus, TRDizin)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 13 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.14744/nci.2025.82258
- Dergi Adı: Northern Clinics of Istanbul
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, Central & Eastern European Academic Source (CEEAS), Directory of Open Access Journals, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.8-18
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Hearing loss, metabolic syndrome, retinopathy, tinnitus, vertigo
- Açık Arşiv Koleksiyonu: AVESİS Açık Erişim Koleksiyonu
- Kırklareli Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
OBJECTIVE: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a global health issue linked to both macrovascular and emerging microvascular complications. This study aimed to assess microvascular complications of MetS, including retinopathy and hearing loss. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 102 adults (70 with MetS, 32 controls) from an internal medicine clinic. Participants underwent metabolic profiling and standardized eye and hearing evaluations, including fundoscopy, audiometry, and symptom screening. Sensory complications were analyzed in relation to MetS and its components using regression models. RESULTS: Retinal abnormalities were more common in the MetS group (50%) than in controls (18.7%) (p=0.007), with hypertension as the only independent predictor (OR=2.623, p=0.022). Sensorineural hearing loss affected 23.5% of participants and was linked to higher metabolic burden (p=0.038), though age and male sex were the main predictors. Tinnitus was more frequent in MetS patients (19% vs. 3%) (p=0.059), with triglycerides independently predicting its risk (OR=1.006, p=0.021). Vertigo occurred in 11.4% of MetS patients but not in controls (p=0.054), with hypertension showing borderline significance (OR=7.311, p=0.065). CONCLUSION: Metabolic syndrome, particularly hypertension and dyslipidemia, is associated with increased risk of retinopathy, hearing loss, tinnitus, and vertigo. These findings suggest systemic metabolic dysfunction may impair microvascular structures in the eye and inner ear. Routine sensory screening in MetS patients may enable early detection and prevention.