Etiological factors and management of vertigo - a retrospective study

INTRODUCTION: Vertigo and dizziness are symptoms of various underlying conditions, ranging from benign to severe, affecting up to 40% of adults. Understanding the etiological factors and demographic characteristics associated with these symptoms is crucial for improving diagnostic accuracy and management. This study aims to identify the etiological factors contributing to vertigo and dizziness in a clinical setting and assess the effectiveness of treatment strategies.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective cohort study conducted at Department of ENT and Head & Neck Surgery, Saveetha Medical College Hospital, Thandalam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India from September 2022 to March 2024. We included patients presenting with vertigo or dizziness, excluding those with non-vestibular dizziness or incomplete medical records. We analysed demographic data, medical history, and clinical findings from patient records. Data analysis was performed. Continuous variables were compared using independent sample t-tests and categorical variables using chi-square tests.

RESULTS: The study included 268 patients, predominantly females (57.8%) and individuals aged 40-50 years (29.9%). Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV) was the most common etiological factor (41.0%), followed by orthostatic dysregulation (17.2%) and vestibular peripheral dysfunction (VPD) (16.0%). Clinical presentations and outcomes varied with the underlying etiology. Overall, 91.0% of the patients showed improvement following treatment, with 7.1% achieving full recovery.

CONCLUSION: This study highlights the complexity of vertigo and dizziness, which are influenced by various factors and demographics. This emphasizes the importance of tailored management strategies and a patient-centered, multidisciplinary approach, emphasizing customized treatments to improve patient outcomes.