[Presbyvertigo as a cause of dizziness in elderly].
BACKGROUND
dizziness is a frequent complaint in the geriatric population and has a negative impact in the life quality of these individuals.


OBJECTIVE
to correlate the types of dizziness and alterations in the caloric test and to verify the frequency of presbyvertigo in an elderly population with dizziness.


METHODS
The records of 132 patients aged over 60 and with balance disturbance were reviewed. These patients were evaluated in the Otoneurology Service of the Clinical Hospital of the Federal University of Minas Gerais between the years of 1998 and 2007. The variables considered for analysis were: epidemiologic data, clinical history, associated diseases and the result of the caloric test. Patients with positional and central vertigo were excluded from the analysis.


RESULTS
The research sample consisted of 120 patients, with an average age was of 70 years, being 71% (n=87) of sample women. Vertigo with the duration of a few minutes and of a daily frequency was the most frequent type of dizziness. In relation to the caloric test, normal results were observed in 73% of the sample. Altered results included unilateral weakness (14%), bilateral weakness (10%) and hyperactive caloric response (3%). Correlating the caloric test with the type of dizziness, bilateral weakness was associated with postural instability (p=0.006; IC=2 - 419).


CONCLUSIONS
dizziness in elderly has many causes. Bilateral weakness of the vestibular function can be related to presbyvertigo and must be considered in aged individuals who present unbalance. Metabolic, psychiatric, disautonomic, orthopedic, visual and proprioceptive disturbances may be the cause of dizziness in aged individuals who present normal vestibular evaluation.
Felipe
Lilian
L
Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais. lilianfelipe@hotmail.com
Cunha
Luciana Cristina Matos
LC
Cunha
Fabiana Carla Matos
FC
Cintra
Marco Túlio Gualberto
MT
Gonçalves
Denise Utsch
DU
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology; D002150:Caloric Tests; D004244:Dizziness / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance / Q000502:physiology*; D012021:Reflex, Abnormal / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D014717:Vertigo / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology; D014722:Vestibule, Labyrinth / Q000503:physiopathology