Progression of symptoms of dizziness in Ménière's disease.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the progression of symptoms of dizziness in Ménière's disease (MD) by disease duration.


METHODS
Prospective study of patients with MD. Patients were clinically examined, filled out a questionnaire concerning their symptoms, and were divided into 7 groups based on disease duration.


METHODS
Tertiary referral clinic.


METHODS
Sample of 243 consecutive patients with a definite diagnosis of MD who were referred to the vestibular laboratory. Disease duration varied from recent onset to 41 years.


RESULTS
No differences were found in frequency, intensity, or duration of vertigo attacks between the different groups. Patients who had MD for less than 10 years experienced less continuous vertigo than those who had MD for more than 20 years. Seventy-five percent of patients who had MD for more than 20 years considered their vertigo attacks severe and 36% still had attacks 1 to 4 times per week. Nausea associated with vertigo was most common among those with a long disease history.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with MD can have severe symptoms of dizziness even after a 20-year disease history.
Havia
Mari
M
Department of Otolaryngology, Helsinki University Hospital, Helsinki, Finland. Mari.Havia@kolumbus.fi
Kentala
Erna
E
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D018450:Disease Progression; D004244:Dizziness / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000601:surgery; D008875:Middle Aged; D009325:Nausea / Q000523:psychology; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D012008:Recurrence; D014724:Vestibular Function Tests