title: High incidence of Meniere-like symptoms in relatives of Meniere patients in the areas of Oulu University Hospital and Kainuu Central Hospital in Finland.
abstract: Objective of this study was to systematically investigate the family histories of a large set of patients affected with Meniere's disease to determine the prevalence of familial MD and Meniere-like symptoms in their families. All 640 patients treated at the Oulu University Hospital and Kainuu Central Hospitals during 2005-2010 for Meniere's disease were selected as the initial study population. A postal family history survey was sent to all subjects. Hospital records of all patients were studied to confirm diagnosis and sufficient differential diagnosis. All patients that revealed a positive family history of Meniere's disease or Meniere-like symptoms were phone interviewed and the probability of Meniere's disease in a relative was estimated on a three level scale: probable, possible or unlikely. Affected family members of the patients were recruited to the study if possible. Familial Meniere's disease could be confirmed in 9.3% of patients, but 32.7% patients reported Meniere-like symptoms in their family. It was not possible to confirm all cases, but a family history of Meniere's disease was convincing (confirmed or probable) in 23.4% of the patients. Genetic factors are significant in the development of Meniere's disease.
authors.affiliation: Oulu Center for Cell-Matrix Research, Biocenter, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biomedicine, University of Oulu, Finland. elina.hietikko@oulu.fi
authors.forename: Elina
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Hietikko
authors.forename: Jouko
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kotimäki
authors.forename: Martti
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sorri
authors.forename: Minna
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Männikkö
mesh_terms: D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D005387:Finland / Q000453:epidemiology; D006785:Hospitals, University; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008297:Male; D008575:Meniere Disease / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010375:Pedigree; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires