Affiliations: [a] Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| [b] Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Region Västra Götaland, Södra Älvsborg Hospital, Borås, Sweden
| [c] Department of Research, Education and Innovation, Region Västra Götaland, Södra Älvsborg Hospital, Borås, Sweden
| [d] Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| [e] Department of Occupational Therapy and Physiotherapy, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Sweden
| [f] Neuropsychiatric Epidemiology Unit, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Centre for Ageing and Health (AgeCap), University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| [g] Region Västra Götaland, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Psychiatry, Cognition and Old Age Psychiatry Clinic, Gothenburg, Sweden
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Ellen Lindell, E-mail: [email protected].
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most frequently diagnosed cause of dizziness among older adults. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the prevalence of BPPV and positional symptoms of dizziness and nystagmus among 75-year-olds and to identify factors associated with BPPV and positional dizziness and nystagmus. METHODS:In this cross-sectional population-based study of 75-78-year-olds in Gothenburg, 887 participants were examined with questions regarding dizziness and health and social factors. A total of 681 participants underwent the Dix-Hallpike test or the side-lying test for BPPV using Video Frenzel goggles. RESULTS:In total 32% reported problems with dizziness (n = 887). The prevalence of BPPV was 4% in the unweighted and 4.5% in the weighted analyses, compensating for selective attrition of women and participants with previous positional dizziness. Positional dizziness without nystagmus was found in 2% and nystagmus without dizziness was found in 9%. Individuals with BPPV and positional dizziness experienced more dizziness in everyday life compared with those with normal tests, while those with positional nystagmus did not. CONCLUSIONS:The estimated prevalence of BPPV among 75-year-olds was 4.5%. Despite weighted analyses, the true prevalence may be higher since many participants with dizziness refused testing. Dizziness was associated with fear and discomfort so strong that around 20% of the participants declined testing.
