Association of 15 common dietary factors with tinnitus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

• Published in: BMJ open Vol. 15; no. 3; p. e091507
• Main Authors: Zhang, Mengni, Wang, Xiaocui, Zhang, Shipeng, He, Xinyi, Chen, Xi, Wang, Lu, Fu, Li, Wang, Hanyu, Fu, Qinwei, Jiang, Yanjie, Li, Xinrong, Zhang, Qinxiu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England British Medical Journal Publishing Group 18.03.2025; BMJ Publishing Group LTD; BMJ Publishing Group
• Subjects: Cross-sectional studies; Diet; Ear, Nose and Throat/Otolaryngology; Eggs; Epidemiology; Food; Fruits; Humans; Incidence; Medical research; Medical Subject Headings-MeSH; Meta-Analysis; Neurotology; NUTRITION & DIETETICS; Nutrition research; Observational studies; Observational Studies as Topic; Original Research; OTOLARYNGOLOGY; Proteins; Questionnaires; Systematic review; Tinnitus; Tinnitus - epidemiology; Tinnitus - etiology; United Kingdom > UK; Blue Mountains; Meta-Analysis; NUTRITION & DIETETICS; Neurotology; OTOLARYNGOLOGY
• ISSN: 2044-6055; 2044-6055
• DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-091507

ObjectiveA systematic analysis was conducted to investigate the association between tinnitus incidence and daily dietary patterns.DesignWe conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.Data sourcesThe PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases were searched from their inception to 25 May 2024.Eligibility criteria for selecting studiesWe included observational studies from peer-reviewed English-language journals that examined tinnitus presence or severity in adults aged 18 years or older, including associated prevalence estimates.Data extraction and synthesisData extraction was independently conducted by two evaluators, who assessed research bias using the Agency for Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and applied evidence classification criteria for aggregate grade strength assessment. This study adhered to the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Project (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) and Meta-Analysis of Epidemiological Observational Studies, as well as the PROSPERO Registry protocols. A mixed-effect model combined maximum adjusted estimates, with heterogeneity measured using the I2 statistic. Sensitivity analysis validated the robustness of the analysis, and publication bias was assessed qualitatively and quantitatively.ResultsA total of 10 retrospective studies were identified and included in this analysis, with the last eight studies incorporated into the meta-analysis. Fifteen dietary factors were examined. Fruit intake, dietary fibre, caffeine and dairy product consumption were negatively correlated with tinnitus incidence (OR=0.649 (95% CI 0.532, 0.793), p<0.0001), (OR=0.918 (95% CI 0.851, 0.990), p=0.03), (OR=0.898 (95% CI 0.862, 0.935), p<0.00001), (OR=0.827 (95% CI 0.766, 0.892), p<0.00001), respectively. A sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the findings.ConclusionsThis systematic review and meta-analysis suggest a link between particular dietary elements and a lower incidence of tinnitus.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42023493856.