SURVEY ABOUT DRUG INDUCED OTOTOXICITY AMONGST HEALTHCARE PROFESSIONALS OF CENTRAL INDIA

Abstract

Background: Drug induced ototoxicity is an important cause of deafness worldwide and a concern for the medical community. The effect of hearing loss on the quality of life is detrimental and therefore should be prevented as far as possible through careful monitoring and management of ototoxic medication.

Method: Survey was carried out to assess the knowledge and understanding about drug induced ototoxicity. A Google form was designed, validated and sent to almost 400 medical practitioners and students of BASLP programme spread across central India. It was successfully answered by 86 recipients.

Results: 49.41% responses were from medical practitioners, comprising of ENT surgeons and subject experts while the rest 50.59% were BASLP students. New hearing impaired subjects per week were 20-30, amongst these 5-6 subjects were suspected with drug induced ototoxicity. Most common drugs responsible for ototoxicity were aminoglycosides, macrolides & salicylates as mentioned by medical practitioners, while according to BASLP students antineoplastic agents, aminoglycosides and loop diuretics were the most common ototoxic drugs. There was a difference between the steps undertaken for their redressal amongst medical practitioners and BASLP students.

Conclusion: Aminoglycosides (63.5%) and antineoplastic agents (60%) are the commonest ototoxic drugs. Results of the study revealed that most of the participants are aware and have good knowledge about ototoxicity and ototoxic drugs.

Keywords: Hearing loss, Ototoxic drugs, Aminoglycosides, Cisplatin, Ototoxicity monitoring