Outcome of symptoms of dizziness in a general practice community sample.
BACKGROUND
Dizziness is commonly experienced in the community, but little is known about the long-term progression of the condition.


OBJECTIVE
We aimed to assess over 18 months the outcome of symptoms of dizziness in a sample of patients identified from London general practices.


METHODS
We followed up at 18 months a cohort of patients who reported symptoms of dizziness with or without anxiety, panic reactions or avoidance of situations that provoked the symptoms. The subjects completed a structured questionnaire both at baseline and at 18 months.


RESULTS
At 18 months, 24% (95% CI = 23.5-34.8%) were more handicapped and 20% (95% CI = 15.2-25.2%) had recurrent dizziness, while 20% (95% CI = 14.9-24.8%) had improved. Patients with significant dizziness were more likely to consult their GP (OR = 14.4, 95% CI = 7.0-29.1) and were more likely to receive treatment (OR = 7.8, 95% CI = 3.2-22.4) or be referred to hospital (OR = 8.4, 95% CI = 3.2-22.4). The independent predictors of handicapping dizziness at 18 months were a history of fainting (OR = 2.4, 95% CI = 1.2-4.7), vertigo (OR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.3-5.0) and avoidance of a situation that provoke dizziness (OR = 4.8, 95% CI = 2.5-9.0).


CONCLUSIONS
Four per cent of all patients registered with a GP suffer persistent symptoms of dizziness and at least 3% are severely incapacitated by their symptoms. The presence of vertigo, fainting and avoidance in a person with dizziness is predictive of chronic handicapping dizziness. Further research is required on the progressions of symptoms of dizziness in a sample of GP attenders and those in the community.
Nazareth
I
I
Department of Primary Care and Population Sciences, Royal Free and University College Medical School, University College London, UK.
Yardley
L
L
Owen
N
N
Luxon
L
L
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016001:Confidence Intervals; D004244:Dizziness / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005194:Family Practice / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012494:Sampling Studies; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology