Validated argentine version of the visual vertigo analogue scale.

BACKGROUND: Visual vertigo (VV), triggered by environmental or dynamic visual stimuli and repetitive visual patterns, can affect daily life activities. The Visual Vertigo Analogue Scale (VVAS) is a valid and reliable self-administered questionnaire to assess VV, which has been culturally adapted to the Argentine population but has not been validated. OBJECTIVE: To validate the Argentine version of VVAS (VVAS-A) by confirming its psychometric properties in patients with vestibular disorders. METHODS: Vestibular patients (n = 82) completed the VVAS-A and the Dizziness Handicap Inventory Argentine version (DHI-A) during their initial visit and one week later. The VVAS-A's internal consistency, test retest reliability, ceiling and floor effects, and construct validity were determined. Test-retest data (n = 71) was used to calculate reliability using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC 2.1). RESULTS: A ceiling effect was observed in 12 patients (14.6%). Internal consistency was acceptable (Cronbach's alpha: 0.91). The reliability was r = 0.764 [CI 95%: 0.7 -0.86]). Correlations were observed between the VVAS-A and the total DHI-A score (rho = 0.571), the DHI-A physical subscale (rho: 0.578), and DHI-A functional and emotional subscales of the DHI-A (rho: 0.537 and 0.387, respectively). CONCLUSION: The VVA-A is a valid, reliable tool to evaluate VV in patients with vestibular disorders.

Anxiety and depressive disorders in elderly with chronic dizziness of vestibular origin / Transtornos ansiosos e depressivos em pacientes idosos com tontura crônica de origem vestibular

ABSTRACT INTRODUCTION: Dizziness is one of the most prevalent symptoms in the elderly. Anxiety and depression are common in dizzy adult patients, but there is scarce information about comorbidity between vestibular disturbances and psychiatric disorders in the aged. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression disorders in elderly with chronic dizziness of vestibular origin. METHODS: Transversal study that used the Brazilian version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview 2.1 to assess anxiety and depressive disorders in elderly patients (≥60 years old) with chronic dizziness. RESULTS: Most of the 44 patients included in the study were female (88.6%) with a mean age of 71 years (±7.5), 68.1% had experienced dizziness for 1 year or more. The most prevalent diagnosis was benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (52.3%). The prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder and specific phobias during life were 29.5% and 22.7%, respectively, and, in the last 12 months, 18.2% and 15.9%. There was no patient with panic disorder, agoraphobia or social phobia. The prevalence of depressive disorder during life was 45.4%, and, in the last 12 months, were 11.3%. CONCLUSION: Aged patients with chronic dizziness had high prevalence of some mental disorders.

RESUMO INTRODUÇÃO: A tontura é um dos sintomas clínicos mais prevalentes entre idosos. Sintomas ansiosos e depressivos são frequentes em pacientes adultos não idosos com tontura, porém há pouca informação sobre a comorbidade das doenças vestibulares e transtornos mentais em idosos. OBJETIVO: Avaliar a prevalência de transtornos ansiosos e depressivos em idosos com tontura crônica de origem vestibular. MÉTODO: Estudo de corte transversal que utilizou como instrumento a versão brasileira do Composite International Diagnostic Interview 2.1 (CIDI) para avaliar transtornos ansiosos e depressivos em idosos (≥ 60 anos) com tontura crônica. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 44 pacientes, a maioria do gênero feminino (88,6%), idade média de 71 anos, 68,1% apresentava tontura há mais de um ano, e 52,3% apresentavam diagnóstico de vertigem posicional paroxística benigna. A prevalência de transtorno de ansiedade generalizada e fobias específicas na vida foi de 29,5% e 22,7%, respectivamente, e, nos últimos 12 meses, de 18,2% e 15,9% respectivamente. Não houve casos de transtorno do pânico, agorafobia e fobia social. A prevalência de transtorno depressivo na vida foi 45,4%, e, nos últimos 12 meses, foi 11,3%. CONCLUSÃO: Encontrou-se elevada prevalência de certos transtornos mentais em idosos com tontura crônica.

Anxiety and depressive disorders in elderly with chronic dizziness of vestibular origin.

INTRODUCTION: Dizziness is one of the most prevalent symptoms in the elderly. Anxiety and depression are common in dizzy adult patients, but there is scarce information about comorbidity between vestibular disturbances and psychiatric disorders in the aged. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of anxiety and depression disorders in elderly with chronic dizziness of vestibular origin. METHODS: Transversal study that used the Brazilian version of the Composite International Diagnostic Interview 2.1 to assess anxiety and depressive disorders in elderly patients (≥ 60 years old) with chronic dizziness. RESULTS: Most of the 44 patients included in the study were female (88.6%) with a mean age of 71 years (± 7.5), 68.1% had experienced dizziness for 1 year or more. The most prevalent diagnosis was benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (52.3%). The prevalence of generalized anxiety disorder and specific phobias during life were 29.5% and 22.7%, respectively, and, in the last 12 months, 18.2% and 15.9%. There was no patient with panic disorder, agoraphobia or social phobia. The prevalence of depressive disorder during life was 45.4%, and, in the last 12 months, were 11.3%. CONCLUSION: Aged patients with chronic dizziness had high prevalence of some mental disorders.

Prevalence and correlates of dizziness in community-dwelling older people: a cross sectional population based study.

BACKGROUND: Dizziness is a common complaint among older adults and has been linked to a wide range of health conditions, psychological and social characteristics in this population. However a profile of dizziness is still uncertain which hampers clinical decision-making. We therefore sought to explore the relationship between dizziness and a comprehensive range of demographic data, diseases, health and geriatric conditions, and geriatric syndromes in a representative sample of community-dwelling older people. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, population-based study derived from FIBRA (Network for the Study of Frailty in Brazilian Elderly Adults), with 391 elderly adults, both men and women, aged 65 years and older. Elderly participants living at home in an urban area were enrolled through a process of random cluster sampling of census regions. The outcome variable was the self-report of dizziness in the last year. Several feelings of dizziness were investigated including vertigo, spinning, light or heavy headedness, floating, fuzziness, giddiness and instability. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to estimate the adjusted odds ratios and build the probability model for dizziness. RESULTS: The complaint of dizziness was reported by 45% of elderly adults, from which 71.6% were women (p=0.004). The multivariate regression analysis revealed that dizziness is associated with depressive symptoms (OR = 2.08; 95% CI 1.29-3.35), perceived fatigue (OR = 1.93; 95% CI 1.21-3.10), recurring falls (OR = 2.01; 95% CI 1.11-3.62) and excessive drowsiness (OR = 1.91; 95% CI 1.11-3.29). The discrimination of the final model was AUC = 0.673 (95% CI 0.619-0.727) (p< 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of dizziness in community-dwelling elderly adults is substantial. It is associated with other common geriatric conditions usually neglected in elderly adults, such as fatigue and drowsiness, supporting its possible multifactorial manifestation. Our findings demonstrate the need to expand the design in future studies, aiming to estimate risk and identify possible causal relations.

Correlation between vestibular test results and self-reported psychological complaints of patients with vestibular symptoms.

UNLABELLED: Cognitive and emotional factors may affect balance; psychiatric conditions are a common component in patient dizziness. The treatment of patients with vertigo may be affected to a greater degree by the suffering due to this disease than by the severity of organic changes. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate associations between vestibular test results and self-reported psychological complaints in patients evaluated during 2009 in an audiology unit at a hospital in Porto Alegre. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, descriptive-exploratory study of data taken from a database of the software VecWin® and VecWin® 2, developed by Neurograff®. We investigated vestibular test results, reports of psychological symptoms reported spontaneously, and information such as age, sex and the presence of vertigo and/or dizziness. This study consisted of three steps: clustering, exclusion/inclusion and quantification. CONCLUSION: Age and gender and the presence or absence of vertigo and/or dizziness were not variables that influenced the outcomes of vestibular testing. There was a significant association between the presence of self-reported psychological complaints and normal vestibular test results. Thus, it is crucial that professionals pay attention to psychological issues reported by patients when the vestibular history is taken.

Correlação entre resultado do exame vestibular e queixas psicológicas autorrelatadas de pacientes com sintomas vestibulares / Correlation between vestibular test results and self-reported psychological complaints of patients with vestibular symptoms

Fatores cognitivos e emocionais podem afetar o equilíbrio, portanto, condições psiquiátricas são comuns em pacientes otoneurológicos. O tratamento dado ao sujeito vertiginoso pode ser mais influenciado pelo sofrimento e comportamento da doença do que pela gravidade da patologia orgânica. OBJETIVO: Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar a associação entre os resultados do exame vestibular e queixa psicológica autorrelatada, em indivíduos atendidos no ano de 2009, no serviço de audiologia de um hospital em Porto Alegre. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Foi realizado um estudo retrospectivo, descritivo-exploratório, consultando-se a base de dados dos softwares VecWin® e VecWin® 2 da marca Neurograff®. Foram investigados os resultados do exame vestibular, as queixas referentes aos sintomas psicológicos relatados espontaneamente e idade, sexo e queixa de vertigem e/ou tontura. O trabalho foi realizado em três etapas: agrupamento, exclusão/inclusão e quantificação. CONCLUSÃO: A faixa etária da amostra, o sexo e a presença ou ausência de vertigem e/ou tontura não foram variáveis de influência sobre o resultado do exame vestibular. Houve associação significativa entre a presença de queixa psicológica autorrelatada e o resultado normal do exame vestibular. Assim, é fundamental que os profissionais deem atenção às questões psicológicas relatadas pelo indivíduo na ocasião da anamnese vestibular.

Cognitive and emotional factors may affect balance; psychiatric conditions are a common component in patient dizziness. The treatment of patients with vertigo may be affected to a greater degree by the suffering due to this disease than by the severity of organic changes. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to investigate associations between vestibular test results and self-reported psychological complaints in patients evaluated during 2009 in an audiology unit at a hospital in Porto Alegre. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, descriptive-exploratory study of data taken from a database of the software VecWin® and VecWin® 2, developed by Neurograff®. We investigated vestibular test results, reports of psychological symptoms reported spontaneously, and information such as age, sex and the presence of vertigo and/or dizziness. This study consisted of three steps: clustering, exclusion/inclusion and quantification. CONCLUSION: Age and gender and the presence or absence of vertigo and/or dizziness were not variables that influenced the outcomes of vestibular testing. There was a significant association between the presence of self-reported psychological complaints and normal vestibular test results. Thus, it is crucial that professionals pay attention to psychological issues reported by patients when the vestibular history is taken.

[Cross-cultural adaptation and validation of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory: Argentine version]. / Adaptación cultural y validación del Dizziness Handicap Inventory: versión Argentina.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The Dizziness Handicap Inventory is a useful tool for quantifying self-perceived handicap in patients with vertigo, dizziness or unsteadiness and its impact on daily living activities. The Dizziness Handicap Inventory identifies functional, physical and emotional disorders related to balance disturbance. Our objective was to cross-culturally adapt the Peninsular Spanish version of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory for use in Argentina and validate the adapted Argentinian version. METHODS: We included both healthy subjects and patients with vertigo, dizziness or unsteadiness, aged 18 to 85 years, native Spanish-speaking Argentinians. We introduced linguistic and cultural modifications to the Peninsular Spanish version to obtain the Argentinian one. This version was given twice to 108 patients, 24 to 72 h apart. Internal consistency, test-retest reliability and construct validity were assessed using a visual analogue scale, the Romberg test, the tandem Romberg test and the tandem gait test. RESULTS: We found high internal consistency (α=0.87) and very high test-retest reliability for the total Dizziness Handicap Inventory score (intraclass correlation coefficient: 0.98) and its subscales. The total Dizziness Handicap Inventory and the functional subscale were found to correlate significantly with the Romberg and tandem Romberg tests. The emotional subscale showed a significant correlation with the Romberg test and the eyes-open tandem Romberg test (P<.05) CONCLUSIONS: The Argentinian version of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory proved to be a reliable and valid tool to quantify self-perceived handicap resulting from vertigo, dizziness or unsteadiness.

Effects of conventional versus multimodal vestibular rehabilitation on functional capacity and balance control in older people with chronic dizziness from vestibular disorders: design of a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: There are several protocols designed to treat vestibular disorders that focus on habituation, substitution, adaptation, and compensation exercises. However, protocols that contemplate not only vestibular stimulation but also other components that are essential to the body balance control in older people are rare. This study aims to compare the effectiveness of two vestibular rehabilitation protocols (conventional versus multimodal) on the functional capacity and body balance control of older people with chronic dizziness due to vestibular disorders. METHODS/DESIGN: A randomized, single-blind, controlled clinical trial with a 3 months follow-up period will be performed. The sample will be composed of older individuals with a clinical diagnosis of chronic dizziness resulting from vestibular disorders. The subjects will be evaluated at baseline, post-treatment and follow-up. Primary outcomes will be determined in accordance with the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (functional capacity) and the Dynamic Gait Index (body balance). Secondary outcomes include dizziness features, functional records, body balance control tests, and psychological information. The older individuals (minimum sample n = 68) will be randomized to either the conventional or multimodal Cawthorne&Cooksey protocols. The protocols will be performed during individual 50-minute sessions, twice a week, for 2 months (a total of 16 sessions). The outcomes of both protocols will be compared according to the intention-to-treat analysis. DISCUSSION: Vestibular rehabilitation through the Cawthorne&Cooksey protocol has already proved to be effective. However, the addition of other components related to body balance control has been proposed to improve the rehabilitation of older people with chronic dizziness from vestibular disorders. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ACTRN12610000018011.

Tonturas e quedas em idosos: um olhar a partir da teoria do desengajamento / Dizziness and falls in the elderly: a look from the theory of disengagement

Com o avanço da idade, é admissível que ocorra o aparecimento dedoenças, de limitações físicas, sociais e emocionais. A tontura e as complicações impostas por esse sintoma, como as quedas, interferemdiretamente na qualidade de vida de indivíduos idosos, podendolimitar e comprometer a autonomia, a independência e a funcionalidadedessas pessoas. O envelhecimento associado à incapacidade,às limitações e às doenças, pode ser o principal determinantepara o rompimento do vínculo com o trabalho, com a família e comos amigos, significando uma vivência negativa, pois pode desengajaro indivíduo e contribuir para a exclusão social. O desengajamento éum processo durante o qual muitas das relações entre uma pessoae os outros membros da sociedade são rompidas e aquelas quepermanecem, são modificadas qualitativamente. Em razão disso, oobjetivo deste estudo é refletir sobre os eventos de tonturas e dequedas em idosos como um acontecimento que determina mudançanas relações, reduções nas interações e na perda de papéis,tendo como referência a teoria sociológica do desengajamento.(AU)

With the advance of age, it is admissible that occurs the emergenceof diseases and physical, social and emotional limitations. Dizzinessand complications imposed by this symptom, such as falls, directlyinterferes on the quality of life of elderly individuals, and also can limitand compromise the autonomy, independence and functionality ofthe elderly. The aging associated with disability, limitations and diseases,can be a major determinant for breaking the link with work,with family and friends, meaning a negative experience, becauseit can disengage the individual and contribute to social exclusion.Disengagement is an unavoidable process during which many of therelationships between a person and other members of society arebroken, and those that remain are modified qualitatively. As a result,the objective of this study is to reflect about the events of dizzinessand falls in the elderly as an event that determines a change in relationships,reductions in interections and in the loss of functions, withreference to the sociological theory of disengagement.(AU)

Tonturas e quedas em idosos: um olhar a partir da teoria do desengajamento / Dizziness and falls in the elderly: a look from the theory of disengagement

Com o avanço da idade, é admissível que ocorra o aparecimento dedoenças, de limitações físicas, sociais e emocionais. A tontura e as complicações impostas por esse sintoma, como as quedas, interferemdiretamente na qualidade de vida de indivíduos idosos, podendolimitar e comprometer a autonomia, a independência e a funcionalidadedessas pessoas. O envelhecimento associado à incapacidade,às limitações e às doenças, pode ser o principal determinantepara o rompimento do vínculo com o trabalho, com a família e comos amigos, significando uma vivência negativa, pois pode desengajaro indivíduo e contribuir para a exclusão social. O desengajamento éum processo durante o qual muitas das relações entre uma pessoae os outros membros da sociedade são rompidas e aquelas quepermanecem, são modificadas qualitativamente. Em razão disso, oobjetivo deste estudo é refletir sobre os eventos de tonturas e dequedas em idosos como um acontecimento que determina mudançanas relações, reduções nas interações e na perda de papéis,tendo como referência a teoria sociológica do desengajamento.

With the advance of age, it is admissible that occurs the emergenceof diseases and physical, social and emotional limitations. Dizzinessand complications imposed by this symptom, such as falls, directlyinterferes on the quality of life of elderly individuals, and also can limitand compromise the autonomy, independence and functionality ofthe elderly. The aging associated with disability, limitations and diseases,can be a major determinant for breaking the link with work,with family and friends, meaning a negative experience, becauseit can disengage the individual and contribute to social exclusion.Disengagement is an unavoidable process during which many of therelationships between a person and other members of society arebroken, and those that remain are modified qualitatively. As a result,the objective of this study is to reflect about the events of dizzinessand falls in the elderly as an event that determines a change in relationships,reductions in interections and in the loss of functions, withreference to the sociological theory of disengagement.

Psychological symptoms and spatial orientation during the first 3 months after acute unilateral vestibular lesion.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: We undertook this study to assess the correlation between the results of simple tests of spatial orientation and the occurrence of common psychological symptoms during the first 3 months after an acute, unilateral, peripheral, vestibular lesion. METHODS: Ten vestibular patients were selected and accepted to participate in the study. During a 3-month follow-up, we recorded the static visual vertical (VV), the estimation error of reorientation in the yaw plane and the responses to a standardized questionnaire of balance symptoms, the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), the depersonalization/derealization inventory by Cox and Swinson (DD), the Dissociative Experiences Scale (DES), the 12-item General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), the Zung Instrument for Anxiety Disorders and the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale. RESULTS: At week 1, all patients showed a VV >2° and failed to reorient themselves effectively. They reported several balance symptoms and handicap as well as DD symptoms, including attention/concentration difficulties; 80% of the patients had a Hamilton score ≥8. At this time the balance symptom score correlated with the DHI. After 3 months, all scores decreased. Multiple regression analysis of the differences from baseline showed that the DD score difference was related to the difference on the balance score, the reorientation error and the DHI score (p <0.01). No other linear relationships were observed (p >0.5). CONCLUSIONS: During the acute phase of a unilateral, peripheral, vestibular lesion, patients may show poor spatial orientation concurrent with DD symptoms including attention/concentration difficulties, and somatic depression symptoms. After vestibular rehabilitation, DD symptoms decrease as the spatial orientation improves, even if somatic symptoms of depression persist.

Dizziness as a geriatric condition among rural community-dwelling older adults.

BACKGROUND: Dizziness is a common symptom in older adults. The majority of those with dizziness tend to have more than one risk factor, suggesting that dizziness is a multifactorial geriatric condition. Therefore, associated factors must be determined to permit risk-reduction approaches. OBJECTIVE: To examine the associations between dizziness and socio-demographic, physical, functional and psychological health factors among older persons living in the Andes Mountains. DESIGN: Population-based cross-sectional study. SETTINGS/PARTICIPANTS: One thousand six hundred ninety-two community-living people aged 60 years and over living in four rural and suburban areas of villages in coffee-grower zones in the Colombian Andes Mountains. MEASUREMENTS: Outcome measures included self-reporting of dizziness as a symptom experienced either very frequently or continuously during the last month. Independent variables were demographic, socioeconomic and social factors; disease and biomedical factors; functional status and performance-based measures; and psychological factors such as depressive symptoms and self-rated health. RESULTS: Dizziness was reported by 15.2% of participants in the study. Variables independently associated with dizziness were: number of chronic conditions, visual impairment, and use of more than four medications. Independently associated psychological variables were: poor self-perceived health, cognitive impairment and depression. Health and psychological factors accounted for 85% of dizziness. CONCLUSION: Older persons who reported dizziness were more physically frail, with more instances of chronic conditions and sensory impairments, and had poor self-perceptions of their health. Biomedical and psychological factors showed a strong independent association with dizziness. A multifactorial intervention targeting the identified factors would reduce dizziness in older people. However, this approach may need to address different sets of specific factors related to the dizziness categories.

Associação entre tonturas, quedas e teste do alcance funcional em idosos da comunidade / Dizziness, falls and functional reach test: results obtained in non-institutionalized elderly

Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar a associação entre a tontura,o teste do alcance funcional e o histórico de quedas. Foramavaliados 50 idosos, utilizando-se entrevista elaborada para esteestudo e o teste de alcance funcional. Os resultados evidenciaramque 52% dos idosos apresentavam tontura e 24% relataramqueda nos últimos 6 meses. No teste do alcance funcional 38%dos idosos atingiram índices superiores a 25 cm. A análise estatísticafoi feita utilizando-se os testes Qui-Quadrado, Mann-Whitney eKruskal-Wallis e demonstrou que não houve associação entre asvariáveis pesquisadas.

This study aimed to investigate the association among dizziness,functional reach test and history of falls. Fifty patients were evaluated,using interviews prepared for this study and the functional reachtest. Results showed that 52% of elderly had dizziness and 24% reporteda fall in the last 6 months. In the functional reach test, resultspointed that 38% of the elderly reached values higher than 25 cm. Statistical analysis was performed using the Qui-Quadrado, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests and demonstrated that there wasno association between the variables studied.

Associação entre tonturas, quedas e teste do alcance funcional em idosos da comunidade / Dizziness, falls and functional reach test: results obtained in non-institutionalized elderly

Este estudo teve como objetivo verificar a associação entre a tontura,o teste do alcance funcional e o histórico de quedas. Foramavaliados 50 idosos, utilizando-se entrevista elaborada para esteestudo e o teste de alcance funcional. Os resultados evidenciaramque 52% dos idosos apresentavam tontura e 24% relataramqueda nos últimos 6 meses. No teste do alcance funcional 38%dos idosos atingiram índices superiores a 25 cm. A análise estatísticafoi feita utilizando-se os testes Qui-Quadrado, Mann-Whitney eKruskal-Wallis e demonstrou que não houve associação entre asvariáveis pesquisadas.(AU)

This study aimed to investigate the association among dizziness,functional reach test and history of falls. Fifty patients were evaluated,using interviews prepared for this study and the functional reachtest. Results showed that 52% of elderly had dizziness and 24% reporteda fall in the last 6 months. In the functional reach test, resultspointed that 38% of the elderly reached values higher than 25 cm. Statistical analysis was performed using the Qui-Quadrado, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal-Wallis tests and demonstrated that there wasno association between the variables studied.(AU)

Quality of life in elderly with dizziness.

UNLABELLED: Dizziness is frequent in elderly people. AIMS: To evaluate the Quality of Life (QoL) in elderly subjects with dizziness, relate it with gender and age. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prospective study comprising 120 elderly patients with dizziness evaluated with Brazilian versions of the Whoqol-bref and the dizziness handicap inventory (DHI). The factor analysis (FA), the Mann Whitney and Kruskal Wallis tests, and the Spearman correlation were applied to study the results. RESULTS: The most compromised domains were the DHI physical domain and the Whoqol-bref physical and environment domains. FA resulted in 3 factors in the DHI and 5 factors in the Whoqol-bref. There was a moderate correlation (-0.596) in the total scores of both instruments. Males had a better QoL in the "environment perception and introspectivity" and "health perception" factors of the Whoqol-bref test. Females had a better QoL in the "functionality perception" factor of the Whoqol-bref test. There were no significant age differences. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients with dizziness have a worse QoL. Elderly females with dizziness have worse QoL scores in "environment perception and introspectivity" and "health perception" and better QoL in the "functionality perception" factor compared to elderly males.

Qualidade de vida de idosos com tontura / Quality of life in elderly with dizziness

Tontura é muito frequente em idosos. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a qualidade de vida (QV) em idosos vestibulopatas e relacioná-la com o gênero e a faixa etária. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Estudo prospectivo que incluiu série de 120 casos de idosos com tontura que foram avaliados por meio das versões brasileiras dos questionários Whoqol-bref e Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI). Os resultados obtidos foram submetidos à Análise Fatorial (AF) e aos testes de Mann Whitney, Kruskal Wallis e correlação de Spearman. RESULTADOS: O domínio físico avaliado pelo DHI, e o físico e o ambiental do Whoqol-bref foram os mais comprometidos. A AF resultou em 3 fatores no DHI e 5 no Whoqol-bref: Houve moderada correlação (-0,596) entre o escore total de ambos os instrumentos. Os homens apresentaram melhor QV nos fatores "percepção ambiental e introspectividade" e "percepção da saúde" do Whoqol-bref. As idosas obtiveram melhor QV no fator "percepção da funcionalidade" do Whoqol-bref. Não houve diferenças significantes entre os fatores dos dois instrumentos por faixa etária. CONCLUSÕES: Idosos vestibulopatas apresentam QV prejudicada. As idosas vestibulopatas apresentam pior QV em relação aos fatores "percepção ambiental e introspectividade" e "percepção da saúde" e melhor QV em relação ao fator "percepção da funcionalidade" que os homens.

Dizziness is frequent in elderly people. AIMS: To evaluate the Quality of Life (QoL) in elderly subjects with dizziness, relate it with gender and age. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A prospective study comprising 120 elderly patients with dizziness evaluated with Brazilian versions of the Whoqol-bref and the dizziness handicap inventory (DHI). The factor analysis (FA), the Mann Whitney and Kruskal Wallis tests, and the Spearman correlation were applied to study the results. RESULTS: The most compromised domains were the DHI physical domain and the Whoqol-bref physical and environment domains. FA resulted in 3 factors in the DHI and 5 factors in the Whoqol-bref. There was a moderate correlation (-0.596) in the total scores of both instruments. Males had a better QoL in the "environment perception and introspectivity" and "health perception" factors of the Whoqol-bref test. Females had a better QoL in the "functionality perception" factor of the Whoqol-bref test. There were no significant age differences. CONCLUSIONS: Elderly patients with dizziness have a worse QoL. Elderly females with dizziness have worse QoL scores in "environment perception and introspectivity" and "health perception" and better QoL in the "functionality perception" factor compared to elderly males.

Quality of life of individuals submitted to vestibular rehabilitation.

UNLABELLED: Balance disorders affect social, family and professional activities. Vestibular rehabilitation can reduce the impact of these disorders on the quality of life of individuals with vertigo. AIM: to study the influence of vestibular rehabilitation on the quality of life of individuals, correlating it with gender, age, results from computerized vectoelectronystagmography and vertigo. STUDY TYPE: Retrospective. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-two individuals were submitted to customized vestibular rehabilitation and the Brazilian Dizziness Handicap Inventory - DHI before and after vestibular rehabilitation. Results from this questionnaire were correlated with gender, age, vestibular assessment and the presence of vertigo. RESULTS: all the DHI scores reduced significantly after vestibular rehabilitation. There were no differences among genders; adults and elderly patients; irritative peripheral vestibular syndromes; deficiency syndromes and normal exams; the presence or absence of vertigo. CONCLUSION: all the individuals had improvements in their quality of life after customized vestibular rehabilitation.

Quality of life of individuals submitted to vestibular rehabilitation / Qualidade de vida de indivíduos submetidos à reabilitação vestibular

Balance disorders affect social, family and professional activities. Vestibular rehabilitation can reduce the impact of these disorders on the quality of life of individuals with vertigo. AIM: to study the influence of vestibular rehabilitation on the quality of life of individuals, correlating it with gender, age, results from computerized vectoelectronystagmography and vertigo. Study type: Retrospective. MATERIALS AND METHODS:Twenty-two individuals were submitted to customized vestibular rehabilitation and the Brazilian Dizziness Handicap Inventory - DHI before and after vestibular rehabilitation. Results from this questionnaire were correlated with gender, age, vestibular assessment and the presence of vertigo. RESULTS: all the DHI scores reduced significantly after vestibular rehabilitation. There were no differences among genders; adults and elderly patients; irritative peripheral vestibular syndromes; deficiency syndromes and normal exams; the presence or absence of vertigo. CONCLUSION: all the individuals had improvements in their quality of life after customized vestibular rehabilitation.

Desordens do equilíbrio comprometem atividades sociais, familiares e profissionais. A reabilitação vestibular pode reduzir o impacto dessas desordens na qualidade de vida dos indivíduos vertiginosos. OBJETIVO: Verificar a influência da reabilitação vestibular sobre a qualidade de vida dos indivíduos, correlacionando-a com gênero, idade, resultado da vectoeletronistagmografia computadorizada e presença de vertigem. Forma de Estudo: Retrospectivo. MATERIAL E MÉTODO: Vinte e dois indivíduos foram submetidos à reabilitação vestibular personalizada e ao Dizziness Handicap Inventory - DHI brasileiro - pré e pós-reabilitação vestibular. Os resultados desse questionário foram correlacionados com as variáveis gênero, idade, avaliação vestibular e presença de tontura do tipo vertigem. RESULTADOS: Todos os escores do DHI diminuíram significantemente após reabilitação vestibular. Não houve diferença entre gêneros; adultos e idosos; síndromes vestibulares periféricas Irritativas, Deficitárias e exames Normais; e presença ou não de vertigem. CONCLUSÃO: Todos os indivíduos obtiveram melhora na qualidade de vida após a reabilitação vestibular personalizada.