The Role of Inflammation in Tinnitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Summary

This systematic review and meta-analysis pooled 29 studies, 20 human and 9 animal, reporting inflammatory markers in tinnitus. It concluded that the proinflammatory cytokines TNF-α and IL-1β are increased in tinnitus and that microglia and astrocytes are activated, with platelet activation possibly also contributing. It provides the human evidence-synthesis complementing the causal animal work, while noting that most human data are correlational.

Key findings

• Pooled 29 studies (20 human, 9 animal) on inflammatory markers in tinnitus.
• TNF-α and IL-1β are consistently increased in tinnitus.
• Microglia and astrocytes are activated; platelet activation may also contribute.
• Synthesises the human evidence for an inflammatory component, though most human data remain correlational.