Cross-sectional studycited by the Tayebat archiveabstract only checked★ key study A-CHM-13 in-depth review
Cisplatin chemotherapy causes dose-dependent permanent hearing loss
Comprehensive Audiometric Analysis of Hearing Impairment and Tinnitus After Cisplatin-Based Chemotherapy in Survivors of Adult-Onset Cancer.
Overview
Frisina RD et al.. J Clin Oncol 2016 · PMID 27354478 · DOI 10.1200/JCO.2016.66.8822
Almost 1 in 5 testicular-cancer survivors had severe-to-profound hearing loss; 40% had tinnitus.
Does the study support the specific claim? Yes · Methodological quality: moderate
Plain-language summary
Study explained simply
- What did the researchers want to find out?
Measure hearing after cisplatin.
- How was the study done?
Audiometry in survivors.
- How many people, animals or samples were studied?
488 men.
- What was actually found?
3.2 dB per 100 mg/m2.
- How large was the observed effect?
18% severe-profound loss.
- What do the results mean in everyday life?
Hearing checks after cisplatin.
- What are the study's limitations?
Cross-sectional.
- What does it say about Elawady's specific claim?
Supports.
- Do the results apply to Germany and Europe?
High.
- What can explicitly not be concluded from this study?
That cisplatin should be avoided in curable testicular cancer.
Scientific in-depth review
1. Full reference
- Authors
- Frisina RD, Wheeler HE, Fossa SD, Kerns SL, Fung C, Sesso HD, Monahan PO, Feldman DR, Hamilton R, Vaughn DJ, Beard CJ, Budnick A, Johnson EM, Ardeshir-Rouhani-Fard S, Einhorn LH, Lipshultz SE, Dolan ME, Travis LB
- Journal
- J Clin Oncol
- Year
- 2016
- Identifier
- PMID 27354478 DOI 10.1200/JCO.2016.66.8822 · PMC5019759
- Verification
- verified – PubMed E-utilities efetch, 2026-10-25
- Retracted
- no
- Corrections
- none
- Extent checked
- abstract only
- Conflicts of interest and funding
Authors’ disclosures of potential conflicts of interest are found in the article online at www.jco.org. Author contributions are found at the end of this article. | Grants: NCATS NIH HHS, NCI NIH HHS
2. Research question
Dose-response between cumulative cisplatin and hearing loss/tinnitus.
3. Study design and population
- Study design
- Cross-sectional study – Cross-sectional audiometric study within a survivor cohort
- Population
North American male germ-cell tumour survivors
- Country
USA/Canada
- Period
not stated in abstract
- Sample size
488
- Inclusion and exclusion criteria
Cisplatin-treated GCT survivors
4. Methods and endpoints
- Exposure / intervention
Cumulative cisplatin (median 400 mg/m2; range 200-800)
- Comparator
Lower doses; age/sex-matched normative data
- Endpoints
Audiometric thresholds 0.25-12 kHz; tinnitus
- Statistical methods
Regression; odds ratios
5. Actual results
- Results
Each 100 mg/m2 increase -> 3.2 dB worse age-adjusted threshold (4-12 kHz; P<.001). >300 mg/m2: OR 1.59 for greater ASHA severity (P=.0066). 18% severe-to-profound hearing loss. Tinnitus 40%, correlated with reduced hearing. Hypertension associated with worse hearing.
- Absolute risks
18% severe-to-profound hearing loss; 40% tinnitus
- Authors' conclusion
Survivors given cisplatin need hearing follow-up, audiology referral and hypertension control.
6. Strengths
- Comprehensive audiometry
- Dose-response
7. Weaknesses
- Cross-sectional
- Single cancer type, men only
8. Risk of bias
- Orienting tool
- ROBINS-E
- Type of assessment
- simplified assessment (abstract only)
- Full formal assessment
- no
- Overall risk of bias
- some concerns
- Rationale
No pre-treatment audiograms in abstract.
9. Assessment of the statistical interpretation
Clear dose-response; prevalence specific to GCT protocols.
10. Relevance to the specific claim
Core evidence for cisplatin ototoxicity.
11. Independent contrary findings
A-CHM-14: testicular cancer 10-year relative survival 95% (benefit).
12. Transferability to Germany and Europe
High.
13. Overall methodological judgement
Correctly quoted except for the Arabic 'single dose' addition.
| Multidimensional assessment | |
|---|---|
| Authenticity of the source | verified |
| Methodological quality | moderate |
| Risk of bias | some concerns |
| Precision of results | moderate |
| Directness | direct |
| Reproducibility | replicated |
| Consistency with the overall evidence | consistent |
| Regional transferability | high |
| Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive) | partly correct but over-interpreted |
14. Open questions
Otoprotection (e.g., in children) not addressed here.
15. Linked fact checks
- Cisplatin chemotherapy causes permanent, dose-dependent hearing loss and tinnitus. – Studies supporting the claim
Use by the Tayebat archive
Note: according to the archive, the studies were compiled by the archive operators. Whether Dr. Elawady himself cited this study is not established.
- What the archive says about the study
Frisina 2016: 3.2 dB per 100 mg/m2; 18% severe-to-profound hearing loss; tinnitus 40%. AR headline adds 'high rates even after a single dose'.
- A. What was actually studied?
Hearing after cisplatin.
- B. What did the authors find?
Dose-dependent permanent hearing loss.
- C. What conclusions do the authors themselves draw?
Routine hearing follow-up.
- D. What does the archive derive from it?
Permanent ototoxicity.
- E. Is this derivation scientifically justified?
Numbers correct. The Arabic headline claim about high rates 'even after a single dose' is not supported by the abstract (cumulative doses 200-800 mg/m2).
- Adequacy of the interpretation (by the archive)
- partly correct but over-interpreted