Clinical features of BPPV and their influence on the choice of the doctor's tactics

xlomafota13 shared this article with you from Inoreader Clinical features of BPPV and their influence on the choice of the doctor's tactics Via Vestnik otorinolaringologii Vestn Otorinolaringol. 2021;86(4):4-8. doi: 10.17116/otorino2021860414. ABSTRACT OBJECTIVES: BPPV is the most common cause of recurrent vertigo. Except vertigo attacks main clinical symptoms of BPPV can include autonomic symptoms and imbalance, which sometimes complicate the diagnosis of BPPV. Purpose To evaluate clinical symptoms and management of patients with BPPV before the setting of correct diagnose. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A total of 640 patients (504 (78.8%) women) aged from 20 to 86 years old, mean age 56.43±0.54 years with BPPV were included and diagnosed by roll and Dix-Hallpike tests. Among them 144 (22.5%) patients were inpatient and 496 (77.5%) patients were outpatient. The detailed patient intake comprised the disease onset, the type of dizziness, vertigo triggers, autonomic symptoms, similar attacks in the past and previously made definite diagnosis of BPPV. The period from the appearance of the first symptom s to the correct diagnosis was assessed. RESULTS: The majority of patients (75.3%) consult a neurologist at the initial visit. Only 30.6% of patients had a correct diagnosis within a week of the onset of the disease. Initial BPPV symptoms included persistent dizziness that increased with head turns (38.8%), nausea and vomiting (21.6%), significant increase in blood pressure (13.4%), persistent imbalance while walking (73.4%). Inpatients more frequently had constant continuous dizziness, high blood pressure, severe nausea and vomiting, and the onset of symptoms in the morning when getting out of bed (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Initial BPPV symptoms may be similar to other diseases. Focusing on medical history and complaints leads to frequent diagnostic errors, unnecessary hospitalization and prolonged treatment of patients. Positional tests are necessary for the correct diagnosis of BPPV. PMID:34499439 | DOI:10.17116/otorino2021860414 View on the web Inoreader. Take back control of your news feed. Follow us on Twitter and Facebook.