Expanding the differential diagnosis of chronic dizziness.
OBJECTIVE
To improve treatment outcomes for patients with chronic dizziness by identifying clinical conditions associated with persistent symptoms and delineating key diagnostic features that differentiate its causes and direct attention to specific treatments.


METHODS
Prospective cohort study from 1998 to 2004.


METHODS
Tertiary care balance center.


METHODS
A total of 345 men and women, aged 15 to 89 years, referred for evaluation of chronic dizziness (duration of > or =3 months) of uncertain cause.


METHODS
Patients were systematically directed through multiple specialty examinations until definitive diagnoses were made.


METHODS
Final diagnoses associated with dizziness.


RESULTS
Nearly all patients with chronic subjective dizziness were diagnosed with psychiatric or neurologic illnesses. These included primary and secondary anxiety disorders (n = 206 [59.7%]) and central nervous system conditions (n = 133 [38.6%]), specifically migraine headaches, mild traumatic brain injuries, and neurally mediated dysautonomias. A small number of patients (6 [1.7%]) had dysrhythmias. Four of 5 patients with migraine or dysrhythmias had comorbid anxiety.


CONCLUSIONS
Chronic dizziness has several common causes, including anxiety disorders, migraine, traumatic brain injuries, and dysautonomia, that require different treatments. Key features of the clinical history distinguish these illnesses from one another and from active neurotologic conditions. The high prevalence of secondary anxiety may give a false impression of psychogenicity.
Staab
Jeffrey P
JP
Department of Psychiatry, The Balance Center, University of Pennsylvania Health System, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
Ruckenstein
Michael J
MJ
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D001342:Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003939:Diagnostic Techniques, Otological; D004244:Dizziness / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008881:Migraine Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis*; D038223:Post-Concussion Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*