Res Vestib Sci.  2017 Sep;16(3):80-84. 10.21790/rvs.2017.16.3.80.

Dizzy and Psychological Scales in Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo: Suspicious Patients without Characteristic Nystagmus

• Hong SM
• Kim SK
• Kim H
• Hong SJ
• Kim YB
• Park IS
• Oh D

• KMID: 2392735
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21790/rvs.2017.16.3.80

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
Patients, who have had a history of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV)-like symptoms, but no characteristic nystagmus, were often present. They are diagnosed as having a resolved state from BPPV or normal, and tend to be overlooked. We investigated the dizzy and psychological scales in BPPV-suspicious patients.
METHODS
Thirty-nine patients, which they had vertigo of a short duration at the specific head position, and clinically suspicious BPPV, but no nystagmus in positional tests, were enrolled. We compared dizzy and psychological scales of suspicious BPPV patients with 138 BPPV patients, using dizziness handicap inventory (DHI), the beck depression inventory (BDI), and the Spielberger state-trait anxiety inventory. Additionally, among the BPPV-suspicious group, patients with a BPPV history were compared with those with no previous BPPV.
RESULTS
No differences in the all scales were found between the two groups. However, DHI scores of patients with a previous BPPV attack were significantly higher than those of patients with no BPPV-like symptoms; in particular, there was a significant difference in emotional scores.
CONCLUSION
Although the patients had no characteristic nystagmus, if they have a BPPV-like history and symptoms, emotional support and periodic follow up are needed. In particular, careful observation should be performed in patients with previous BPPV attack.

Keyword

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo; Anxiety; Depression

MeSH Terms

Anxiety
Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo*
Depression
Dizziness
Follow-Up Studies
Head
Humans
Vertigo
Weights and Measures*