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Original research
Analysis of Rotterdam Study cohorts confirms a previously identified RIPOR2 in-frame deletion as a prevalent genetic factor in phenotypically variable adult-onset hearing loss (DFNA21) in the Netherlands
  1. Hedwig M Velde1,2,
  2. Nienke C Homans3,
  3. André Goedegebure3,
  4. Cornelis P Lanting1,2,
  5. Ronald J E Pennings1,2,
  6. Hannie Kremer2,4
  1. 1 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
  2. 2 Donders Institute for Brain Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
  3. 3 Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
  4. 4 Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
  1. Correspondence to Professor Hannie Kremer, Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Department of Human Genetics, Radboudumc, Nijmegen, 6525 GA, Netherlands; Hannie.Kremer{at}radboudumc.nl

Abstract

Background A 12-nucleotide RIPOR2 in-frame deletion was recently identified as a relatively common and highly penetrant cause of autosomal dominant non-syndromic sensorineural hearing loss, type DFNA21, in the Netherlands. The associated hearing phenotype is variable. The allele frequency (AF) of 0.039% of this variant was determined in a local cohort, and the reported phenotype may be biased because studied families were identified based on index patients with hearing loss (HL). In this study, we determine the AF in a cohort from a different geographical region of the Netherlands. Additionally, we examine the hearing phenotype in individuals with the variant but not selected for HL.

Methods The AF was determined in participants of the Rotterdam Study (RS), a large cohort study. The phenotype was characterised using individual clinical hearing data, including audiograms.

Results The observed AF in the RS cohort was 0.072% and not statistically significantly different from the previously observed 0.039%. The AF in the two cohorts combined was 0.052%. Consistent with previous findings, we found a highly variable audiometric phenotype with non-penetrance of HL in 40% of subjects aged 55–81, which is higher than the 10% at age 50 previously observed.

Conclusion We found an overall higher AF and lower penetrance than previously reported, confirming that DFNA21 is relatively common in the Netherlands. This supports its potential suitability as a target for therapeutic development. Studying possible modifying factors is essential to explain the phenotypical variability and to identify patients eligible for such a therapy.

  • Human Genetics
  • Heredity
  • Genetics, Medical
  • Otolaryngology
  • Otorhinolaryngologic Diseases

Data availability statement

All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplementary information. All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplemental information. Data not included in the manuscript or supplementary data file are available upon reasonable request (Hannie.Kremer@radboudumc.nl).

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Data availability statement

All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplementary information. All data relevant to the study are included in the article or uploaded as supplemental information. Data not included in the manuscript or supplementary data file are available upon reasonable request (Hannie.Kremer@radboudumc.nl).

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Footnotes

  • Contributors The project was conceived by HK and RJEP. Data were collected and provided by NCH and AG. Data analysis and statistics were performed by HMV and CPL. The manuscript was written by HMV and revised by NCH, AG, CPL, HK and RJEP. HK is the guarantor of this study. All authors approved the final version of the manuscript.

  • Funding This study was supported by grants from the Heinsius-Houbolt foundation (to NCH, HK and RJEP).

  • Competing interests None declared.

  • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; externally peer reviewed.

  • Supplemental material This content has been supplied by the author(s). It has not been vetted by BMJ Publishing Group Limited (BMJ) and may not have been peer-reviewed. Any opinions or recommendations discussed are solely those of the author(s) and are not endorsed by BMJ. BMJ disclaims all liability and responsibility arising from any reliance placed on the content. Where the content includes any translated material, BMJ does not warrant the accuracy and reliability of the translations (including but not limited to local regulations, clinical guidelines, terminology, drug names and drug dosages), and is not responsible for any error and/or omissions arising from translation and adaptation or otherwise.