Quality of life after intratympanic steroid injection for Ménière's disease

Abstract

Objective: This study explores how treatment with intratympanic steroid injection affects quality of life, as well as several subjective complaints in patients with Ménière's disease. Methods: Patients filled in the Ménière's Disease Outcome Questionnaire (MDOQ) and answered questions about subjective complaints. Scores before and after treatment were compared using paired t tests. Results: Forty-nine patients treated with intratympanic steroid injection were included. Quality of life was improved in 36 (73%) patients, the same in 9 (18%) patients, and lower in 4 (8%) patients. Overall, the mean change in MDOQ was +20.6 points (95% confidence interval +14.5 to +26.7 points, p < 0.001). The improvement was seen in the emotional, physical, and mental domain. Most patients experienced less vertigo and instability but did not notice change in subjective hearing, tinnitus, or aural fullness after treatment. Conclusion: Treatment with intratympanic steroid injection leads to an improvement in quality of life in most patients. Moreover, the procedure is only minimally invasive. Based on the findings in this study, treatment with ITS should be discussed with every patient suffering from vertigo attacks due to active Ménière's disease. Level of evidence: Level 4.