Cognitive evaluation and quality of life assessment in patients with subjective tinnitus

Abstract

Purpose: To investigate the effects of subjective tinnitus on cognitive functions. Methods: There were 15 patients (10 bilateral, 5 unilateral) with tinnitus who were non-psychiatric in the study group. There were 14 controls (28 ears of them) that were healthy, non-psychiatric and did not have tinnitus. We used questionnaire form; Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HAD); The SF-36 Health Survey; and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test to evaluate cognitive functions of the subjects. Results: In tinnitus patients, all HAD results (HAD-depression, HAD-anxiety and HAD-total) were insignificantly higher; and all SF-36 items were lower than the control group. In tinnitus group, MoCA scores (mean: 22.28 ± 3.90) were significantly lower then the control group (mean = 26.07 ± 1.74). In tinnitus group, higher MoCA scores were related to increased role limitations due to emotional problems (RE) and physical functioning (PF) values. As subjective tinnitus loudness level (STLL) values increased, HAD-Anxiety values increased and social functioning (SF) values were decreased. In well educated tinnitus patients, MoCA scores found significantly increased. Better Quality of life (QoL) results were found with better MoCA scores. The most important SF-36 items were PF, RE and social functioning (SF). Conclusion: Subjective tinnitus had negative impact not only in quality of life, but also in cognitive function of the patients. © 2018, Neurological Society R.O.C (Taiwan). All rights reserved.