Identification of aspects of functioning, disability and health relevant to patients experiencing vertigo: a qualitative study using the international classification of functioning, disability and health.
OBJECTIVE
Aims of this study were to identify aspects of functioning and health relevant to patients with vertigo expressed by ICF categories and to explore the potential of the ICF to describe the patient perspective in vertigo.


METHODS
We conducted a series of qualitative semi-structured face-to-face interviews using a descriptive approach. Data was analyzed using the meaning condensation procedure and then linked to categories of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF).


RESULTS
From May to July 2010 12 interviews were carried out until saturation was reached. Four hundred and seventy-one single concepts were extracted which were linked to 142 different ICF categories. 40 of those belonged to the component body functions, 62 to the component activity and participation, and 40 to the component environmental factors. Besides the most prominent aspect "dizziness" most participants reported problems within "Emotional functions (b152), problems related to mobility and carrying out the daily routine. Almost all participants reported "Immediate family (e310)" as a relevant modifying environmental factor.


CONCLUSIONS
From the patients' perspective, vertigo has impact on multifaceted aspects of functioning and disability, mainly body functions and activities and participation. Modifying contextual factors have to be taken into account to cover the complex interaction between the health condition of vertigo on the individuals' daily life. The results of this study will contribute to developing standards for the measurement of functioning, disability and health relevant for patients suffering from vertigo.
Institute for Medical Informatics, Biometry and Epidemiology, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Munich, Germany. martin.mueller@med.uni-muenchen.de
Martin
M
Mueller
Edith
E
Schuster
Ralf
R
Strobl
Eva
E
Grill
D000203:Activities of Daily Living / Q000145:classification* / Q000523:psychology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017281:Cost of Illness; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D006233:Persons with Disabilities / Q000145:classification* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation; D004244:Dizziness / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005858:Germany; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D038801:International Classification of Diseases; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012931:Social Environment; D058992:Social Participation; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014717:Vertigo / Q000145:classification* / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology