이명 치료에서 항우울제의 효과

Background and Objectives: Tinnitus is one of the common symptom that designate a significant comorbidity with anxiety and depression. Among antidepressants, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) is frequently used in pharmacological protocols for the management of tinnitus. This study aims to verify the effect of the SSRI on the patients with tinnitus. Subjects and Methods: Thirty-eight patients with chronic tinnitus, who visited in Pusan National University Hospital from Jan 2015 to December 2016 were investigated prospectively. Pretreatment and posttreatment by taking SSRI Visual analogue scale (VAS) measurements of tinnitus loudness (intensity), duration, annoyance, impact of life, and Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI) and its subcategory (functional, emotional, catastrophic) were evaluated and compared. Results: Four subjects were dropped out due to intolerability. VAS measurements such as annoyance, impact of life were improved significantly after treatment. In THI score, not only total score but also subcategory scores were got better, which had statistical significance. Conclusions: Our results show that SSRI could positive effect on chronic tinnitus patients with considerable tolerability. But it might be necessary the evidence-based approach such as double blind randomized controlled trial to clarify the effect of SSRI on tinnitus. (J Clinical Otolaryngol 2018;29:36-41)