Table 3.
Exposures analyzed using meta-analytic approach along with number of high-quality studies and quality assessment scores
| Risk factor | Analytical study design | Total | NOS score mean (SD) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Case–control | Cohort | |||
| Hearing related | ||||
| Hearing loss (unspecified) | 0 | 6 | 6a | 8.3 (0.8) |
| Hearing loss (sensorineural) | 2 | 1 | 3a | 7.7 (1.0) |
| Leisure noise exposure | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7.9 (0.3) |
| Occupational noise exposure | 1 | 2 | 3c | 7.1 (0.4) |
| Otitis media | 2 | 2 | 4b | 7.3 (0.7) |
| Platinum (ototoxic) | 0 | 4 | 4 | 6.0 (1.4) |
| Lifestyle and socio-demographic | ||||
| Alcohol consumption | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7.8 (1.0) |
| Body mass index | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8.0 (0.0) |
| Sex | 0 | 4 | 4 | 8.5 (0.5) |
| Smoking (current) | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7.5 (1.0) |
| Comorbidities | ||||
| Depression | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8.0 (1.4) |
| Diabetesb | 2 | 1 | 3a | 8.0 (1.0) |
| Heart failure | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8.0 (1.0) |
| Hyperlipidaemia | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7.7 (1.2) |
| Hypertension | 1 | 3 | 4a | 7.5 (1.3) |
| Migraine | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7.3 (0.5) |
| Stroke | 1 | 2 | 3a | 8.0 (1.0) |
| Temporo-mandibular joint disorder | 1 | 1 | 2 | 8.3 (1.0) |
| Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7.5 (0.7) |
| Rheumatoid arthritis | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7.5 (0.7) |
| Head injury | 1 | 3 | 4 | 8.2 (0.8) |
| Whiplash | 1 | 1 | 2 | 7.0 (0.0) |
All risk factors in bold indicate a statistically significant association with tinnitus
COPD, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
aNot all data from included articles were included in the meta-analyses. See text for details
bNegative association with tinnitus