Saudi Journal of Medicine (SJM)
Volume-3 | Issue-06 | 319-323
Original Research Article
An Observational Study: Etiological Basis of Dizziness in Patients Attending ENT Clinics (VERTIGO Study)
Sameer Qureshi, Atif Hafeez, Altaf Hussain, Fasihullah Mir, Khalid Cheema, Ayub Musani6, Zakir Ullah, Muhammad Mujeeb, Sobia Ali
Published : June 30, 2018
Abstract
The study was conducted to determine the Etiological basis of dizziness in patients attending ENT clinics in Pakistan. It was a prospective, multicenter, observational, non-interventional, cross - sectional study conducted in five cities across Pakistan, between August, 2014 and March, 2015. The study population included male and female patients attending the outpatient clinics of ENT departments. The patient population was of 18 years of age or older presenting with dizziness. Based on the initial screening patients were diagnosed as vertiginous or non-vertiginous. Patients’ written authorization to use or disclose the patient’s personal or health data was obtained. Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo was the commonest diagnosis (67%) followed by Meniere’s disease (16%) in patients who presented with vertigo attending outpatient departments in ENT Clinics. At baseline visit, 38.3% of the patients were categorized as moderately handicapped. Medication was offered to three quarter of the patient population (69%), while rest of the patients were offered maneuver and medication both (20.8%) and only maneuver (3.5%). DHI was used at the baseline visit and post treatment as well. It was observed in the study that the DHI score was significantly improved in all diagnosis groups after the treatment. At the end of four weeks majority of the patients were categorized mildly handicapped (91.3%). Majority of the patients diagnosed as BPPV were prescribed anti-vertiginous medicines (70%) followed by anti-emetics and pain killers. Amongst the patient reporting with dizziness the commonest diagnosis was Benign Positional Paroxysmal Vertigo followed by Meniere’s disease. Based on pre and post-treatment DHI scores, medication and medication with maneuver helped the patients presenting with dizziness in improvement of Quality of Life.