Prevalence of aminoglycoside-induced hearing loss in drug-resistant tuberculosis patients: A systematic review: Ototoxic hearing loss in drug-resistant tuberculosis.

ABSTRACT Objectives: Estimate the prevalence of ototoxic hearing loss in drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) patients treated with aminoglycoside antibiotics via a systematic review and meta-analysis. Estimate the annual preventable cases of hearing loss in DR-TB patients and leverage findings to discuss primary, secondary and tertiary prevention. Methods: Studies published between 2005 and 2018 that reported prevalence of post-treatment hearing loss in DR-TB patients were included. We performed a random effects meta-analysis to determine pooled prevalence of ototoxic hearing loss overall and by medication type. Preventable hearing loss cases were estimated using World Health Organization (WHO) data on DR-TB treatment and prevalence determined by the meta-analysis. Results: Eighteen studies from 10 countries were included. Pooled prevalence of ototoxic hearing loss and corresponding 95% confidence interval (CI) was 40.62% CI [32.77% - 66.61%] for all drugs (kanamycin: 49.65% CI [32.77% - 66.61%], amikacin: 38.93% CI [26.44% - 53.07%], capreomycin: 10.21% CI [4.33% - 22.21%]). Non-use of aminoglycosides may result in prevention of approximately 50,000 hearing loss cases annually. Conclusions: Aminoglycoside use results in high prevalence of ototoxic hearing loss. Widespread prevention of hearing loss can be achieved by following updated WHO guidelines for DR-TB treatment. When hearing loss cannot be avoided, secondary and tertiary prevention should be prioritized.