Impact of treatment on health-related quality of life in patients with posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the impact of the particle repositioning maneuver on posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo-related quality of life using the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and the Dizziness Handicap Inventory Short Form.


METHODS
Prospective, consecutive new cases of posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.


METHODS
Ambulatory, primary referral hospital.


METHODS
Forty individuals with posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo were investigated. The diagnosis was made on the basis of the history of recurrent sudden crisis of vertigo and positional-induced nystagmus during the Dix-Hallpike test.


METHODS
All patients were treated by a single particle repositioning maneuver, and relapses were investigated at Days 7 and 30 posttreatment.


METHODS
Percentage of patients with negative Dix-Hallpike test after treatment, scores obtained on the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey and Dizziness Handicap Inventory Short Form before and 30 days after treatment.


RESULTS
DHT was found negative in 76% (28 of 37) individuals at 30 days. The eight scales of the 36-Item Short Form Health Survey had a good internal consistency reliability (Cronbach's alpha > 0.7) in patients with posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. The average standardized score for each 36-Item Short Form Health Survey scale was compared with the reference population normative data, showing differences with norms for all scales, except for Vitality. After particle repositioning maneuver, patients scored closer to norms, and Social Function and Mental Health scores were significantly higher than the scores obtained before the particle repositioning maneuver (p < 0.05). Dizziness Handicap Inventory Short Form total score significantly decreased from 18.05 +/- 9.91 (mean +/- standard deviation) at the first day to 9.54 +/- 9.94 at 30 days (p < 0.001). All 36-Item Short Form Health Survey scale scores were correlated significantly with Dizziness Handicap Inventory Short Form total scores at 30 days after treatment.


CONCLUSIONS
Posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo has a significant impact on health-related quality of life, and patients experienced a decrease in quality of life as compared with norms. The particle repositioning maneuver improves health-related quality of life in posterior canal benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.
Lopez-Escamez
Jose A
JA
Division of Otorhinolaryngology, Department of Surgery, Hospital de Poniente, El Ejido, Almería, Spain. jalopeze@cajamar.es
Gamiz
Maria J
MJ
Fernandez-Perez
Antonio
A
Gomez-Fiñana
Manuel
M
Sanchez-Canet
Isabel
I
D000328:Adult; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004244:Dizziness / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D014717:Vertigo / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*