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Prevalence and characteristics of diagnostic groups amongst 1034 patients seen in ENT practices for dizziness

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 February 2014

M Lüscher ,
S Theilgaard  and
B Edholm
M Lüscher*
Affiliation:
ENT practices, Park Allé, Aarhus, Denmark
S Theilgaard
Affiliation:
ENT practices, Trangstrædet, Randers, Denmark
B Edholm
Affiliation:
ENT practices, Park Allé, Aarhus, Denmark
*
Address for correspondence: Dr Michael Lüscher, Park Allé 15, 3rd floor, 8000 Aarhus, Denmark E-mail: michaellyscher@yahoo.dk
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Abstract

Objective:

To determine the prevalence and characteristics of various diagnostic groups amongst patients referred to ENT practices with the primary complaint of dizziness.

Study design:

A prospective, observational, multicentre study.

Methods:

Consecutive patients presenting with dizziness to the participating ENT practices were enrolled. Seven ENT specialists at three clinics participated.

Results:

Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo was diagnosed in 53.3 per cent of the 1034 study patients. Fifty-nine per cent of these experienced night-time awakening with dizziness, which was a significant proportion in comparison to the other diagnostic groups. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo was the most frequent diagnosis in all age groups, including those over 70 years.

Conclusion:

In this study of patients referred to ENT for dizziness, benign paroxysmal positional vertigo was the dominant diagnostic entity, in all age groups and overall. All clinicians in contact with dizzy patients must consider benign paroxysmal positional vertigo, especially in the elderly.

Keywords

DizzinessVertigoBenign Paroxysmal Positional VertigoCauses
Type
Main Articles
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 128 , Issue 2 , February 2014 , pp. 128 - 133
Copyright
Copyright © JLO (1984) Limited 2014 

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Footnotes

Presented at the Danish Society of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Annual Meeting, 24–25 May 2012, Nyborg, Denmark

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