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Prevalence of unrecognized benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in older patients

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Abstract

Dizziness is a relatively common complaint which occurs more often with increasing age. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is an important cause which can easily be treated but is frequently not recognized by professionals. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of unrecognized BPPV in older patients. Patients ≥70 years of age (n = 989) indicated whether they experienced dizziness, and if so whether the symptoms were typical for BPPV. If affirmed, a diagnostic maneuver was performed. Positive patients were treated at once. All suspected patients completed quality of life questionnaires and were followed for 3 and 6 months. Positive BPPV patients were compared with negative (but suspected) patients. Almost one quarter of the patients (226 patients, 23 %) suffered from dizziness, among whom 101 were suspected of BPPV. Less than half (n = 45) underwent the diagnostic maneuver, of whom 13 (29 %) were positive for BPPV. At follow-up, one patient developed BPPV, leading to a total of 14 positive patients (overall prevalence 1.4 %). BPPV positive patients did not differ from BPPV negative patients. Among a large group of older patients, one quarter experiences dizziness, and 1.4 % has definite BPPV.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Epidemiology, Gelre Ziekenhuis Apeldoorn, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands

    H. J. van der Zaag-Loonen

  2. Department of Neurology, Gelre Ziekenhuis Apeldoorn, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands

    R. B. van Leeuwen

  3. Department of Ear-Nose-Throat Surgery, Gelre Ziekenhuis Apeldoorn, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands

    Tj. D. Bruintjes

  4. Department of Geriatrics, Gelre Ziekenhuis Apeldoorn, Apeldoorn, The Netherlands

    B. C. van Munster

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  1. H. J. van der Zaag-Loonen
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  2. R. B. van Leeuwen
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  3. Tj. D. Bruintjes
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  4. B. C. van Munster
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Correspondence to H. J. van der Zaag-Loonen.

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van der Zaag-Loonen, H.J., van Leeuwen, R.B., Bruintjes, T.D. et al. Prevalence of unrecognized benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in older patients. Eur Arch Otorhinolaryngol 272, 1521–1524 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-014-3409-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00405-014-3409-4

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