Assessment of Subjective Symptoms Using Dizziness Handicap Inventory in Patients with Vestibular Neuritis

Kim, Jin Yong; Hur, Dong Gu; Jeon, Sea Yuong; Kim, Jin Pyeong

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Vestibular neuritis (VN) is one of critical life events that can affect physical, emotional, and function aspects of quality of life. Most patients recover well from VN within 6 months following the onset of the disease. However, they can still interfere with their daily lives in some patient with VN. Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) was developed to assess the self-perceived handicapping effects imposed by vestibular system diseases. The aim of study was to evaluate subjective symptoms among the pre-VN, at the time of onset of VN, and post-VN using DHI questionnaire, respectively.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Twenty patients with VN were asked to complete the DHI by mailed survey. Each of the DHI was scored. We also evaluated the relationship between the DHI scores and degree of the canal paresis on the caloric test.
RESULTS
Almost every patients had substantially improved its subjective symptoms in 6 months after VN. There was no correlation between the canal paresis in the lesion ear and DHI scores at the time of VN.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study suggest that most patients recovery well from VN without any handicap, but the emotional support in combination with physical and/or functional rehabilitation should be required to provide early resumption of normal activity