Meniere's disease (MD) is a fluctuating vestibulocochlear disorder with an unknown cause. Familial clustering occurs in 8-10% of cases, suggesting a genetic contribution, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This systematic review synthesizes all sequencing studies in familial MD and evaluates the strength of evidence supporting candidate genes.
✦ The floor
Discussion
Signed responses from readers of the wire.
No actionable change — genetic testing for familial Ménière's disease is not yet standard practice; this review maps the current evidence base but does not yield ready-to-use clinical guidance.
Identifying hereditary genetic variants linked to Ménière's disease could eventually enable earlier diagnosis and targeted treatment for the subset of patients with a familial form of the condition.
- 01Familial Ménière's disease accounts for approximately 8–10% of all Ménière's cases.
- 02Systematic review synthesises genetic evidence for hereditary contributions to the disorder.
- 03Multiple candidate genes have been proposed, but no single causative gene has been universally confirmed.
- 04Findings support a genetic component but heterogeneity across studies limits firm conclusions.
- 05Published in European Archives of Otorhinolaryngology.
Familial Ménière's disease clusters in approximately 8–10% of cases, suggesting a hereditary component.
studypartially supported- PMID
- 42625013
- DOI
- 10.1007/s00405-026-10535-y.
- Journal
- European Archives of Otorhinolaryngology
- Publication type
- systematic_review
- Evidence level
- 1a
- Population
- Patients with familial Ménière's disease across published genetic studies
- Intervention
- Review of genetic variants associated with familial Ménière's disease
Primary outcomes
Identification and characterisation of genetic variants linked to familial Ménière's disease; Frequency and clustering of familial cases