Recovery after acute unilateral vestibular loss and predictors for remaining symptoms

Fuente de la imagen: http://knol.google.com/k/vertigo#
Authors
Ann-Sofi C. Kammerlind RPT, PhDa, Torbjörn E.A. Ledin MD, PhDc, Lars M. Ödkvist MD, PhDd and Elisabeth I.B. Skargren RPT, PhDb

a Physiotherapy, Ryhov County Hospital, Jönköping, Sweden

b Division of Physiotherapy, Department of Medicine and Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden

c Division of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden

d Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Hospital, Linköping, Sweden
Received 27 February 2010.
Available online 2 October 2010.

Abstract

Purpose

The aims of this study were to follow recovery during the first 6 months after acute unilateral vestibular loss (AUVL) and to determine predictors for self-rated remaining symptoms.

Materials and methods

Forty-two subjects were included less than 10 days after AUVL.
Static and dynamic clinical balance tests, visual analogue scales, University of California Los Angeles Dizziness Questionnaire, Dizziness Beliefs Scale, European Quality of Life questionnaire, Dizziness Handicap Inventory, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were performed at inclusion and at 7 follow-ups over 6 months. Subjects rated their symptoms on visual analogue scales daily at home. Videonystagmography was performed in the acute stage and after 10 weeks.

Results

Decrease of symptoms and improvement of balance function were larger during the first compared with the latter part of the follow-up period.

Visual analogue scale ratings for balance problems were higher than those for dizziness.

A prediction model was created based on the results of 4 tests in the acute stage:
1- standing on foam with eyes closed,
2-standing on 1 leg with eyes open,
3-visual analogue scale rating of vertigo at rest,
4- and European Quality of Life questionnaire rating of health-related quality of life.

The prediction model identified subjects at risk of having remaining symptoms after 6 months with a sensitivity of 86% and a specificity of 79%.

Conclusions

Recovery mainly takes place during the first weeks after AUVL.

Subjects rate more balance problems than dizziness.

Self-rated remaining symptoms after 6 months may be predicted by clinical balance tests and subjective ratings in the acute stage.


Corresponding Author Contact Information
Corresponding author.
Physiotherapy T7, Ryhov County Hospital,
SE-581 85 Jönköping, Sweden. Tel.: +46 70 518 23 40.

Fuente: American Journal of Otolaryngology
Volume 32, Issue 5, September-October 2011, Pages 366-375