Vestibular function in HIV patients: preliminary report.
Main purpose of this study was to evaluate vestibular function, focusing attention on percentage of peripheral damage in 30 HIV positive patients (23 male, 7 female), age range 26-68 years, belonging to Categories A-C of CDC classification of infection, underwent electronystagmography with bithermic stimulation according to Freyss (125 cc of water at 30 degrees C and 44 degrees C in 30 sec). The angular velocity of slow phase was considered as the main value of labirinthine functionality. Peripheral vestibular damage has been found in 35.7% of Class A patients; a similar percentage of peripheral signs was found in Classes B and C, where, on the contrary, increased central vestibular signs were observed. In order to evaluate equilibrium in these patients, a Dynamic Gait Index (DGI) test was performed. Scores were >21 points in 85.7% of Class A patients and decreased in Classes B and C.
Teggi
R
R
Deparment of ENT, IRRCS S. Raffaele Hospital, Milan, Italy. roberto.teggi@hsr.it
Giordano
L
L
Pistorio
V
V
Bussi
M
M
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004584:Electronystagmography; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000150:complications; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000503:physiopathology*