Purpose: Vertigo and dizziness belong to the most frequent syndromes in the primary, secondary and tertiary setting and can be divided into vertigo with episodic or chronic persistent complaints. Episodic vertigo (EVS) is characterized by recurrent attacks of vertigo or dizziness with intermittent symptom-free periods, while chronic vertigo (CVS) presents with persistent vertigo. It is still not completely understood how EVS or CVS affect health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and functioning.
Methods: Data originates from the DizzyReg patient registry, an ongoing prospective clinical patient registry situated at tertiary clinic at the university hospital, Munich. HRQoL and functioning was measured by self-report. CVS and EVS was categorized after comprehensive neuro-otological work-up in line with the diagnostic guidelines. Association of CVS and EVS was assessed with multivariable linear regression models adjusting for potential risk factors and confounders.
Results: The study included 548 patients (57% female, mean age 51.35). Patients with EVS were significantly younger (48.5 vs. 59.6 years) and were more often female (60 vs. 49%). EVS patients reported significantly better functioning (42.1 vs. 47.8) and HRQoL (63.87 vs. 58.08) than CVS patients. The effect was stable after adjusting for potential confounders.
Conclusion: This is the first study to show worse HRQoL in patients with CVS compared to EVS. The results of the study underpin the experience from clinical practice that mobility and balance control are especially important for patients with CVS.
Keywords: Dizziness; Functioning; Quality of life; Registry; Vertigo.
© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature Switzerland AG.