2.2 Patients and serum samples
Fifty-two patients with SSNHL, admitted to [removed for blind peer review] from March 2019 to August 2019, were enrolled in this study. Eligible patients for this study met the following criteria: 1) had sensorineural hearing loss of 30 dB or greater over in at least three contiguous audiometric frequencies within 72 hours; 2) had no history of retrocochlear disease; 3) received treatment in 3 days after onset and had no treatment in other hospitals. Patients were excluded if they had the following diseases: 1) hypertension; 2) diabetes mellitus; 3) autoimmune disease; 4) cancer; 5) any other contraindications for glucocorticoid. Patients were discharged if they met the criteria of CR or had a two-week time of hospitalization. Blood samples were collected before and following treatment and serums were separated after centrifugation and stored at -80℃ immediately.