title: Unrecognized benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in elderly patients.
abstract: Balance disorders in elderly patients are associated with an increased risk of falls but are often difficult to diagnose because of comorbid chronic medical problems. We performed a cross-sectional study to determine the prevalence of unrecognized benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and associated lifestyle sequelae in a public, inner-city geriatric population. Dizziness was found in 61% of patients, whereas balance disorders were found in 77% of patients. Nine percent were found to have unrecognized BPPV. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that the presence of a spinning sensation and the absence of a lightheadedness sensation predicted the presence of unrecognized BPPV. Patients with unrecognized BPPV were more likely to have reduced activities of daily living scores, to have sustained a fall in the previous 3 months, and to have depression. These data indicate that unrecognized BPPV is common within the elderly population and has associated morbidity. Further prospective studies are warranted.
authors.affiliation: Bobby R. Alford Department of Otorhinolaryngology and Communicative Sciences, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: J S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Oghalai
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Manolidis
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Barth
authors.forename: M G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: H A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Jenkins
mesh_terms: D000058:Accidental Falls; D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004244:Dizziness / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D004856:Postural Balance; D015995:Prevalence; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis; D014717:Vertigo / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology