AUTHOR=Langguth Berthold , Reineke Thorsten , Burkart Martin , Kostev Karel 

TITLE=Ginkgo biloba extract prescriptions are associated with less frequent repeat visits to ENT doctors due to tinnitus: a retrospective cohort study

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Neurology

VOLUME=Volume 15 - 2024

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/neurology/articles/10.3389/fneur.2024.1402978

DOI=10.3389/fneur.2024.1402978

ISSN=1664-2295

ABSTRACT=We aimed to evaluate the drug utilization of Ginkgo biloba extract, systemic corticosteroids, and pentoxifylline for the treatment of acute tinnitus by analyzing electronic patient health record data. In addition, we assessed whether the different drug treatments were associated with different frequencies of repeat visits to Ear Nose & Throat (ENT) doctors. Methods: This retrospective cohort study used data from the IQVIA Disease Analyzer database. It included patients with an initial diagnosis of tinnitus between January 2005 and December 2021 treated by ENT specialists in Germany. Results: Of 111,629 patients meeting all selection criteria, 51,205 received prescriptions of Ginkgo biloba extracts, 34,817 of systemic corticosteroids, and 25,607 of pentoxifylline. Ginkgo biloba extract prescription was associated with significantly lower odds of a repeat consultation due to tinnitus compared to systemic corticosteroids (odds ratio (OR) 0.91; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.88-0.95) as well as pentoxifylline (OR 0.74; 95% CI: 0.72-0.77). This association was significant in both men and women, and in some age groups. Conclusions: Ginkgo biloba extract is the most frequently ENT specialist-prescribed drug for the treatment of acute tinnitus. It is associated with a reduced likelihood of patients to consult their ENT specialist for tinnitus again compared to systemic corticosteroids and pentoxifylline.