[A multicenter study of tinnitus. Epidemiology and therapy].

A comparative, randomized multicenter study of 259 patients with tinnitus had three objectives. First, to conduct an epidemiology survey of cases of tinnitus of less than one year duration. Second, to determine prognostic factors to establish profiles of patients with different courses of the disorder. Third, to quantify therapeutic efficacy of three medicines of the same therapeutic class but with different modes of action: Ginkgo biloba extract, almitrine-raubasine and nicergoline. Statistical analysis of findings showed prognostic significance for 3 parameters: chronicity, periodicity and uni- or bilateral nature of symptom, as well as the value of Ginkgo biloba in the treatment of tinnitus unrelated to its initial description.