Time course of episodes of definitive vertigo in Meniere's disease.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the frequency and duration of episodes of definitive vertigo in Ménière's disease.


METHODS
Prospective longitudinal study.


METHODS
Multiple tertiary referral centers.


METHODS
Five hundred ten individuals from 8 hospitals that met the American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery diagnostic criteria for definitive Ménière's disease.


METHODS
Conservative treatment.


METHODS
Frequency and duration of episodes of definitive vertigo during follow-up.


RESULTS
Ménière's disease affects both sexes and both ears equally, with onset generally in the fourth decade of life. The number of episodes of vertigo is greater in the first few years of the disease. Although episodes of vertigo that last longer than 6 hours are less frequent than shorter episodes, they occur with similar frequency throughout the natural course of the disease. The percentage of patients without episodes of vertigo increases as the disease progresses, and 70% of patients who did not have an episode of vertigo for 1 year will continue to be free of episodes during the following year. Thus, there is a relationship between the frequency of episodes in consecutive years, although this association decreases rapidly as the number of years increases.


CONCLUSIONS
The frequency of definitive episodes of vertigo in Ménière's disease decreased during follow-up, and many individuals reached a steady-state phase free of vertigo.
Perez-Garrigues
Herminio
H
Division of Otoneurology, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Universitario La Fe, Passeig de la Sequia 12, 46111 Rocafort, Valencia, Spain. perez_her@gva.es
Lopez-Escamez
Jose A
JA
Perez
Paz
P
Sanz
Ricardo
R
Orts
Miguel
M
Marco
Jaime
J
Barona
Rafael
R
Tapia
Mari C
MC
Aran
Ismael
I
Cenjor
Carlos
C
Perez
Nicolas
N
Morera
Constantino
C
Ramirez
Rafael
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012008:Recurrence; D014012:Tinnitus / Q000175:diagnosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome