scholarly journals Dizziness and Driving From a Patient Perspective

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Roeland B. van Leeuwen ◽  
Tjard R. Schermer ◽  
Carla Colijn ◽  
Tjasse D. Bruintjes

Background: People with dizziness may experience driving-related limitations. Few data are available about the impact of dizziness on driving.Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the impact of dizziness on driving, factors related to impairment (age, gender, and type of diagnosis), and the potential consequences for patients' ability to work. We also investigated whether the patients expected and actually received information about their dizziness-related fitness to drive from their physician.Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study was conducted in the Apeldoorn Dizziness Centre, a tertiary care referral centre for patients with dizziness. A consecutive cohort of patients was asked to complete a study-specific questionnaire about driving.Results: Between January 1, 2020, and December 20, 2020, 432 patients were included. Fifty-six percent of the patients in this group were female. The average age of patients was 58.3 years (SD 16). Overall, 191 of the 432 patients (44%) experienced limitations related to driving, and 40% of the patients who experienced limitations also experienced limitations to work related to their inability to drive. The subject of fitness to drive had not been discussed with their physician in 92% of the patients, and 24% of the whole patient group indicated that they would have liked to discuss this topic. The following factors, independently from each other, increased the chance of experiencing driving-related limitations: younger age, female sex, and the diagnosis of Meniere's disease.Conclusion: Dizzy patients, especially younger patients, women, and patients with Meniere's disease, regularly experience limitations related to driving, and this often means that they are unable to work. Driving is hardly ever discussed during a medical consultation. In our opinion, the topic of driving and dizziness should always be addressed during medical consultations in dizzy patients.

2019 ◽  
Vol 134 (1) ◽  
pp. 24-28 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Crossley ◽  
A S Hussaini ◽  
H J Kim ◽  
M Hoa

AbstractObjectiveTo ascertain the distribution of Ménière's disease phenotype subgroups in a US-based cohort, based on a recently introduced classification scheme utilising a Spanish and Portuguese cohort.MethodsA retrospective, cross-sectional, single-institutional chart review was conducted. The electronic medical records of Ménière's disease patients were identified using International Classification of Diseases codes at a tertiary referral centre and reviewed to extract subgroup-defining features. Patients with definite Ménière's disease as per American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery criteria were categorised into one of five subgroups, for unilateral and bilateral Ménière's disease.ResultsEighty-one patients with definite Ménière's disease were identified. Seventy-two cases of unilateral Ménière's disease were observed: 52.8 per cent were type 1, 20.8 per cent were type 2, 4.2 per cent were type 3, 18.1 per cent were type 4, and 4.2 per cent were type 5. This cohort differed significantly in distribution to a comparison Mediterranean cohort (p < 0.01). Nine cases of bilateral Ménière's disease were observed.ConclusionThe distribution of unilateral Ménière's disease subtypes in this US population was different from that observed in a European population.


2016 ◽  
Vol 131 (2) ◽  
pp. 144-149 ◽  
Author(s):  
R F Bento ◽  
J C Cisneros ◽  
A C De Oliveira Fonseca

AbstractObjective:To describe the results obtained with endolymphatic sac drainage in patients with Ménière's disease.Method:A retrospective case review study was conducted of 95 Ménière's disease patients who underwent endolymphatic sac drainage in a tertiary care referral centre, after failing a long course of medical management. The main outcome measures were vertigo control and hearing preservation.Results:In patients with unilateral disease, vertigo control was obtained in 94.3 per cent of patients. A significant improvement in cochlear function was seen in 14 per cent of patients, and hearing was preserved or improved in 88 per cent. For the bilateral group, vertigo control was obtained in 85.7 per cent of patients and cochlear function improved in 28 per cent. Hearing preservation was attained in 71 per cent of these patients.Conclusion:Endolymphatic sac drainage is a good surgical option for patients with incapacitating endolymphatic hydrops, providing a high percentage of vertigo control and hearing preservation.


2021 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
Ilmari Pyykkö ◽  
Nora Pyykkö ◽  
Vinaya Manchaiah

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the severity of vestibular drop attack (VDA) in Ménière’s disease (MD) and to examine the association between VDA severity and other MD-related complaints. The study used a cross-sectional survey design using an electronic questionnaire. The mean age of participants was 56.7 years, and the mean duration of MD was 12.4 years. Four categories of VDA were identified based on level of severity. VDA occurred in 305 (50.7%) of the 602 patients. Of these, 133 patients (22%) experienced mild VDA (i.e., associated with tripping); 80 (13%) experienced moderate VDA (i.e., associated with fall threat unless they had been able to grab support); and 92 (15%) experienced severe VDA (i.e., patients fell to the ground, as in a classical Tumarkin attack). In 70%of participants, VDA occurred less than once a week. VDA lasted for only a few seconds in 90%of participants. 87%reported single attacks, whereas 13%experienced VDA in clusters. VDA was associated with visual auras, reduced quality of life, poor postural control, and fatigue. Approximately half of MD patients experience VDA with varying degrees of severity. If VDA causes falls or near-falls, the attacks should be appropriately treated.


Author(s):  
Kiran Natarajan ◽  
Koka Madhav ◽  
Pabina Rayamajhi ◽  
Divya John Thomas ◽  
R. S. Anand Kumar ◽  
...  

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Sensori-neural hearing loss (SNHL) can be bilateral in 30 to 50% of individuals with Meniere’s disease (MD). The incidence of severe to profound SNHL in MD ranges from 1 to 6%. These individuals are candidates for cochlear implantation (CI).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A retrospective study of 12 patients with profound hearing loss due to Meniere’s disease was done between January 1998 till June 2018 in a tertiary ENT centre in Chennai, India. The patients experienced symptoms of Meniere’s disease for an average of 10 years before CI. All were postlingual candidates. The aim of this study was to determine the effectiveness of cochlear implantation in improving hearing and to assess the impact of CI on vertigo and tinnitus in patients with Meniere’s disease.  </p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Significant hearing improvement with CI was noted in all patients. Resolution of vertigo and reduction of tinnitus was noted. There was no vestibular dysfunction due to CI. In one patient with disabling vertigo, labyrinthectomy combined with CI helped in complete resolution of vertiginous symptoms.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Cochlear implantation is an established option for hearing habilitation in patients with Meniere’s disease, with good outcomes. In case there is disabling vertigo, combining labyrinthectomy with CI is recommended.</p>


1989 ◽  
Vol 48 (5Supplement) ◽  
pp. 4-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. HELMS ◽  
E. STEINIBACH ◽  
M. GALIC ◽  
W. GIEBEL ◽  
N.R. WEI

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 22-32
Author(s):  
Ilmari Pyykkö ◽  
Nora Pyykkö ◽  
Jing Zou ◽  
Vinaya Manchaiah

Background: To explore and characterize balance problems in subjects with Ménière’s disease (MD). Methods: A total of 539 people with MD with a mean age of 61.9 years, mean disease history of 15.6 years, and 79.5% females were recruited. The online questionnaire, consisting of 39 questions, including both structured and open-ended questions, focused on symptoms of MD, balance problems, impacts of the complaints, and quality of life (QoL). Results: After hearing loss (58%) and tinnitus (50%), balance problems (44%) were among the most commonly reported MD complaints, even higher than the impact of vertigo (40%). However, only 22% reported that those balance problems made obvious impacts in their daily lives. The most common balance problem that significantly reduced QoL was tripping (34%). Swaying (25%) had a limited impact on QoL, whereas rocking (10%) was less common but caused a significant impact on QoL. Non-defined balance problems were reported at 18%; these were occasional and correlated with vertigo attacks. Older participants had more frequent tripping problems. Younger participants more frequently reported swaying and rocking. Conclusions: Risk factors predicting poor postural control were mostly related to complaints reflecting otolith pathology. Different types of postural problems require different strategies to manage balance control and cope with the disease.


Author(s):  
Suman S. Penwal ◽  
Deepa A. Valame

<p><strong>Background:</strong> The disorder of the inner ear related to abnormally increased levels of endolymph in the membranous labyrinth is called Meniere’s disease.  It is well studied that the prevalence of Meniere’s disease varies widely across regions.  It was found to be 13% to 42% around the world in various places.  It is important to know the incidence in India to know the population suffering and to plan better treatment strategies to cater to rehabilitation strategies. Hence, the current study was planned to estimate a load of Meniere’s disease in a tertiary care hospital in Mumbai.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> A retrospective analysis of the case reports was undertaken.  As per American academy of otolaryngology-head and neck surgery (AAO-HNS, 2020), the patients were separated as definite and probable Meniere’s disease.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> The descriptive analysis revealed that 6 in 1000 patients reporting for hearing evaluation in a tertiary care hospital are suffering from Meniere’s disease. There was a female preponderance found in the patients with a gender ratio of 1.85:1.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The incidence of Meniere’s disease in a tertiary care hospital in Mumbai was found to be 0.61% of all the patients tested for hearing impairment.</p>


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