Article

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
(BPPV), defined as positionally induced nystagmus (PIN) with associated symptoms
on provocative testing, in the young healthy adult population. DESIGN: A prospective, cohort, screening study. SETTING:
A community-based hospital located
in a small midwestern city with a greater metropolitan population of
approximately 125,000. PARTICIPANTS: One hundred ninety-eight young adults (99
men and 99 women), ages 18-34 years and not being treated for dizziness or
balance problems, were recruited from November 2009 to April 2010. METHODS:
The participants completed questionnaires that detailed demographics, medical and
surgical history, sports and/or activity participation history, and baseline
symptoms commonly associated with BPPV. The participants were screened for
inclusion with an ocular motor assessment in room light, followed by a vestibular
positional assessment for BPPV with infrared camera-equipped goggles recorded on
digital video disk. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENT: The prevalence of BPPV, defined as
PIN, along with symptoms in study participants. RESULTS: The prevalence of BPPV
was 9% in this young adult population. Symptoms during testing were reported in
14% of all subjects (22% of women, 5% of men). Of 22 women who reported symptoms,
12 had PIN (P = .519), whereas the 5 men who reported symptoms all had PIN
(P = 001). PIN, characteristic of that seen in BPPV (with or without associated
symptoms), was identified in 53% of subjects, with 43% of subjects having
posterior canal involvement, 10% having anterior canal involvement, and 8% having
horizontal canal involvement. Eleven percent of subjects had bilateral
semicircular canal involvement. CONCLUSION: Nine percent of our young adult
subjects were diagnosed with previously unrecognized BPPV, with provoked symptoms
of dizziness, headache, nausea, or imbalance, symptoms that may cause significant
physical and psychosocial limitations if left untreated.
This is an important
finding because BPPV is an often-overlooked diagnosis that has a known, very
effective treatment.
CI - Copyright (c) 2013 American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.
Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS