Analysis of factors affecting the success of betahistine treatment in patients with idiopathic subjective tinnitus

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate betahistine treatment efficacy and factors affecting the success of betahistine treatment in patients with subjective idiopathic tinnitus. Methods: A total of 91 patients diagnosed with subjective idiopathic tinnitus were included in the study. The study group consisted of 61 patients treated with betahistine for three months. The control group consisted of 30 patients who did not receive any treatment. The severity of tinnitus and its effects on quality of life (QOL) and sleep were evaluated using the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and Visual Analog Scale. Results: According to the THI results, there was clinical improvement in 25 of 61 patients (41%) treated with betahistine and in 6 of 30 patients (20%) in the control group, which indicated a significant difference (p<0.05). Compared with the control group, there was a statistically significant decrease regarding the duration of tinnitus and annoyance in the treatment group (p<0.05). According to the multivariate analysis, improvement in tinnitus was increased by the absence of a history of betahistine use within the past year, by having a normal level of vitamin B12, by every one-year reduction in age, and by having stable tinnitus loudness. Conclusion: Betahistine treatment applied for three months in patients with subjective idiopathic tinnitus improves the QOL and reduces the severity of tinnitus.