Initial Severity Scoring and Residual Deficit in Scuba Divers with Inner Ear Decompression Sickness.
Aerosp Med Hum Perform
; 87(8): 735-9, 2016 Aug.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-27634609
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Inner ear decompression sickness (IEDCS) in scuba diving results in residual vestibulocochlear deficits with a potential impact on health-related quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine the predictive factors for poor clinical recovery and to try to establish a prognostic score on initial physical examination.METHODS:
The medical records of injured divers with IEDCS treated in our facility between 2009 and 2014 were retrospectively analyzed. The clinical severity of the deficit was evaluated on admission using a numerical scoring system taking into account the intensity of vestibular symptoms and the presence of cochlear signs. The clinical outcome was assessed at 3 mo by telephone interview. After multivariate analysis of potential risk factors for sequelae, the discriminating value of the score and these prognostic reliability indices were calculated.RESULTS:
Among the 99 patients included in the study, 24% still had residual symptoms. Statistical analysis revealed that only a high clinical score [OR = 1.39 (95% CI 1.13-1.71)] and a delay in hyperbaric recompression >6 h [OR = 1.001 (95% CI 1-1.003)] were independently associated with incomplete recovery. The advantage of the score lay in its highly specific nature (92%) rather than its sensitivity (48%) for a threshold of 10.CONCLUSION:
Results suggest that the severity of IEDCS can be easily determined by a clinical score during the acute phase. Recompression treatment should not be delayed. Gempp E, Louge P, de Maistre S, Morvan J-B, Vallée N, Blatteau J-E. Initial severity scoring and residual deficit in scuba divers with inner ear decompression sickness. Aerosp Med Hum Perform. 2016; 87(8)735-739.
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Severity of Illness Index
/
Decompression Sickness
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Diving
/
Ear, Inner
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Aspects:
Patient_preference
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
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Humans
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Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
Aerosp Med Hum Perform
Year:
2016
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country: