title: Dizziness in community-dwelling older adults: a population-based study.
abstract: Dizziness is a common complaint among older adults.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To identify the prevalence of dizziness and its related factors in a sample of community-dwelling older adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  A prospective population-based study with a representative sample of older adults aged 65 years and over. A multidimensional questionnaire and a battery of measures were used for assessing physical function.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The prevalence of dizziness was 45%. Vertigo was found in 70.4% of older adults with dizziness and 43.8% of them referred vertigo crises along life. A significant association was found between dizziness and female gender (p=0.004), memory difficulties complaints (p=0.015), bad health perception (p=0.001), depression (p<0.0001), five or more comorbidities (p=0.021), self-reported fatigue (p<0.0001), recurrent falls (p=0.001), excessive sleepiness (p=0.003), fear of falling (p<0.0001), left leg unipedal stance (p=0.002) and Short Performance Physical Battery score (p=0.009).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Dizziness is a common complaint among older adults and it is associated with limiting clinical conditions, such as depression, fatigue, excessive sleepiness and impaired memory. It is highlighted the association between dizziness and recurrent falls, fear of falling and lower performance in physical function tests, which can restrict independence. These data suggest the importance of a multifactorial approach to dizziness in older adults.
authors.affiliation: Universidade Cidade de São Paulo.
authors.forename: Suzana Albuquerque
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: de Moraes
authors.forename: Wuber Jefferson de Souza
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Soares
authors.forename: Rosilene Andrade Silva
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Rodrigues
authors.forename: Waléria Christiane Rezende
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Fett
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ferriolli
authors.forename: Monica Rodrigues
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Perracini
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004244:Dizziness / Q000453:epidemiology*; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D015577:Geriatric Assessment / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D057187:Independent Living; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies