Simvastatin and Ginkgo biloba in the treatment of subacute tinnitus: a retrospective study of 94 patients

• Published in: American journal of otolaryngology 2011, Vol.32 (1), p.19-23
• Main Authors: Canis, Martin, MD, Olzowy, Bernhard, MD, Welz, Christian, Suckfüll, Markus, MD, Stelter, Klaus, MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Analysis of Variance; Audiometry, Pure-Tone; Biological and medical sciences; Cholesterol; Disease; Ear, auditive nerve, cochleovestibular tract, facial nerve: diseases, semeiology; Female; Ginkgo biloba; Hearing loss; Heart attacks; Humans; Hydroxymethylglutaryl-CoA Reductase Inhibitors - therapeutic use; Hypercholesterolemia - complications; Hypercholesterolemia - drug therapy; Lipoproteins; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nitric oxide; Non tumoral diseases; Otolaryngology; Otorhinolaryngology. Stomatology; Phytotherapy - methods; Plant Preparations - therapeutic use; Questionnaires; Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Simvastatin - therapeutic use; Statins; Studies; Surgery; Tinnitus; Tinnitus - drug therapy; Tinnitus - etiology; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0196-0709; 1532-818X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.amjoto.2009.09.004

Abstract Objectives Studies suggest that hypercholesterolemia promotes the development of inner ear disorders such as tinnitus. However, the underlying pathomechanisms are still not clearly defined. Methods A retrospective study was performed to assess whether a reduction of serum cholesterol by 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase inhibitors may result in a relief of subacute tinnitus. Remission rates of 58 patients were investigated after 4 months of treatment with simvastatin (40 mg). Results were compared to treatment with Ginkgo biloba (120 mg; n = 36) as control group. Differences between tinnitus score at the day of first treatment and after 4 months were used as main outcome measure. Results After treatment with simvastatin or G biloba , tinnitus score decreased from 41.3 ± 10.4 to 37.4 ± 17.3 and from 44.7 ± 11.2 to 41.2 ± 8.7, respectively. However, independently of the treatment regimen, differences of tinnitus scores were considered not significant. Conclusions After administration of simvastatin over 4 months, this retrospective study has shown no significant efficacy in treatment of subacute tinnitus. For a more conclusive answer, further prospective, double-blind, and placebo-controlled studies with a larger number of patients are needed.