Self-reported effects of Ménière's disease on the individual's life: a qualitative analysis.
OBJECTIVE
To define the main consequences of Ménière's disease as perceived by individuals with the condition.


METHODS
Open-ended questionnaire sent to a 1-in-6 sample of members of the Finnish Ménière's Association.


METHODS
Two hundred members of the Finnish Ménière's Association reporting a diagnosis compatible with the condition.


METHODS
Postal questionnaire, including the question "Please make a list of the main effects that your Ménière's disorder has on your life."


METHODS
Number of respondents listing 1 or more consequences of their condition. Categories of responses listed and numbers of responses within the different categories as defined by World Health Organization-International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health.


RESULTS
There was a 79% response rate to the overall questionnaire, and 91% of the respondents listed 1 or more consequences of their Ménière's disease, with a mean of 3.4 consequences listed. These were divided according to the categories listed in International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health. Seventy percent of the respondents listed impairments, 39% activity limitations, 47% participation restrictions, 16% effects on environmental factors, and 28% on personal contextual factors. Although most impairments covered the main symptoms of the condition, 19% of the respondents listed "mental effects." Mobility problems were reported by more than half of those listing activity limitations, with most of the remainder being "communication." The 2 main areas of participation restrictions commonly reported were "community, social and civic life" and "work and employment."


CONCLUSIONS
Most individuals with Ménière's disease are able to specify important consequences (principally participation restrictions and activity limitations), many of which are not identified in symptom-orientated approaches.
Department of Neurology, Ophthalmology & Audiological Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, Wales, UK. stephensd@cf.ac.uk
Dafydd
D
Stephens
Ilmari
I
Pyykko
Kirsi
K
Varpa
Hilla
H
Levo
Dennis
D
Poe
Erna
E
Kentala
D003142:Communication; D003625:Data Collection; D004493:Education; D004644:Emotions / Q000502:physiology; D004651:Employment; D004777:Environment; D005387:Finland; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D051346:Mobility Limitation; D011788:Quality of Life; D012647:Self-Assessment; D012677:Sensation / Q000502:physiology; D012890:Sleep / Q000502:physiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires