Clinical characteristics of patients with persistent postural-perceptual dizziness.
BACKGROUND
Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness is the dizziness that lasts for over three months with no clinical explanation for its persistence. The patient's motor response pattern presents changes and most patients manifest significant anxiety.


OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the clinical characteristics of patients with persistent postural and perceptual dizziness.


METHODS
statistical analysis of clinical aspects of patients with persistent postural-perceptual dizziness.


RESULTS
81 patients, average age: 50.06±12.16 years; female/male ratio: 5.7/1; main reasons for dizziness: visual stimuli (74%), body movements (52%), and sleep deprivation (38%). The most prevalent comorbidities were hypercholesterolemia (31%), migraine headaches (26%), carbohydrate metabolism disorders (22%) and cervical syndrome (21%). DHI, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory - Trait, Beck Depression Inventory, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale questionnaires were statistically different (p<0.05) when compared to controls. 68% demonstrated clinical improvement after treatment with serotonin reuptake inhibitors.


CONCLUSIONS
Persistent postural-perceptual dizziness affects more women than men, with a high associated prevalence of metabolic disorders and migraine. Questionnaires help to identify the predisposition to persistent postural-perceptual dizziness. The prognosis is good with adequate treatment.
Division of Otoneurology, Hospital das Clínicas, Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Cerqueira César, São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
Roseli Saraiva Moreira
RS
Bittar
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Medical School, Universidade de São Paulo (USP), Cerqueira César, São Paulo, SP, Brazil. Electronic address: elianesohsten@gmail.com.
Eliane Maria Dias von Söhsten
EM
Lins
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015897:Comorbidity; D004244:Dizziness / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D004856:Postural Balance; D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012737:Sex Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014717:Vertigo / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology*; D015837:Vestibular Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
D017367:Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors
Ansiedade; Anxiety; Comorbidade; Comorbidity; Depression; Depressão; Dizziness; Tontura