The Impact of Dizziness on the Quality of Life of 235 Individuals who Completed Vestibular Testing in Brazil

Introduction In Vestibular Testing (VT), caloric tests allow evaluation of unilateral weakness (UW) and directional preponderance (DP), where different criteria of normality are adopted in Brazil and worldwide. The Brazilian version of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (Brazilian DHI) evaluates the impact of dizziness on the quality of life of an individual. Objectives The objective of this research is to evaluate the impact of dizziness on the quality of life of patients undergoing VT, and to relate these findings to the results obtained according to national and international criteria. Methods Cross-sectional analytic study of 235 patients referred for VT in two hospitals. The authors performed the Brazilian DHI, history, static, and dynamic balance tests, positional nystagmus, and the Dix-Hallpike maneuver, as well as vectoelectronystagmography. Subjects were divided into three groups according to UW and DP values. Descriptive statistics and comparisons between groups were performed, considering a significance level of 5% in all analyses. Results Patients groups had 20.9% men, and 79.1% women. There was no significant difference between groups for the scores obtained in the Brazilian DHI. There was, however, a statistically significant difference in the redistribution of individuals according to the UWand DP values. Conclusion There was no relationship between VT results and the impact of dizziness in the quality of life. A review of normal values for UW and DP adopted in Brazil is suggested, as well as the application of the Brazilian DHI as an additional tool to evaluate the impact of dizziness on quality of life in all patients undergoing VT.

Triagem otoneurológica em operários da construção civil que executam trabalho em altura / Otoneurological screening of civil construction workers performing work at height

RESUMO Objetivo: avaliar a prevalência de sinais e sintomas otoneurológicos em operários da construção civil do campus saúde da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) que trabalham expostos à altura. Métodos: estudo observacional transversal constituído por 33 trabalhadores da construção civil. Foi utilizado o Protocolo Ofício de Gestão de Diagnóstico Otoneurológico composto por anamnese, provas vestibulares realizadas por meio de Dix-Hallpike e nistagmo de posição, avaliação da dinâmica vestibular utilizando a prova de Head Shaking, provas de equilíbrio estático, dinâmico, cerebelares, investigação complementar dos pares cranianos, conclusão/conduta e orientação. Os dados foram lançados em planilha do programa SPSS versão 13.0, sendo consideradas significantes as diferenças que apresentaram nível de significância de até 5%. Resultados: todos os participantes eram do gênero masculino. A média de idade foi de 38,1 anos, variando de 21 a 65 anos. Um terço dos participantes apresentaram alteração na triagem devido a queixa de equilíbrio e/ou zumbido. Por meio do teste Qui-Quadrado foi possível observar diferença estatisticamente significante entre o grupo com queixa de equilíbrio para as variáveis de distúrbios circulatórios, cefaleia e uso de medicamentos, sendo que este último estatisticamente significante também no grupo com queixa de zumbido. Conclusão: um terço dos trabalhadores da construção civil que executam trabalho em altura apresentou triagem otoneurológica sugestiva de alteração.

ABSTRACT Purpose: to investigate the prevalence of otoneurological signs and symptoms in construction workers at the health campus of Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais (UFMG) that perform their functions at height. Methods: the cross-sectional observational study consisted of 33 construction workers. The Protocolo Ofício de Gestão de Diagnóstico Otoneurológico (Otoneurological Diagnosis Management Service Protocol) was used, which is composed of medical case history, vestibular tests including Dix Hallpike test and Positional Nystagmus, vestibular dynamics evaluation using Head Shaking Nystagmus test, static and dynamic balance tests, cerebellar exam, complementary investigation of the cranial nerves, completion/conduct and orientation. The data were entered into a SPSS 13.0 spreadsheet, considering significant the differences up to the level of 5%. Results: all participants were male. The average age was 38.1 years, ranging from 21 to 65 years. One third of the participants showed changes in screening due to complaints about imbalance and/or tinnitus. Chi-square test revealed a statistically significant difference in the group with complaints of imbalance in relation to the variables of circulatory dysfunctions, headache and use of medicines; the last was also statistically significant in the group with tinnitus. Conclusion: one third of the construction workers who perform work at height presented otoneurological screening results that indicate alteration.