Age-Related Differences of Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex Gains Based on Presbyvestibulopathy Objective Criteria

Abstract

Background and Objectives With the growing acknowledgment of age-related vestibular impairments, consensus diagnostic criteria for presbyvestibulopathy (PVP) have been recently published. The PVP criteria retains its objectivity with video head impulse test (vHIT), rotatory chair test (RCT) and caloric test. These objective tests share testing principles, but targeted frequencies vary across the tests. The PVP criteria are applicable for subjects of age over 60. However, there are different age cut-offs for older male in different areas. The purpose of the present study was to explore whether the PVP diagnostic criteria were appropriate for early elderly (Eel) patients and to identify the most sensitive test for age-related loss of vestibular function.Subjects and Method Eligible patients, aged 60 years or older, complained of dizziness for at least 3 weeks, and have undergone at least one of the followings: vHIT, RCT, or caloric test. We selected two groups based on age: the Eel group (aged >60 years but <65 years) and the late elderly (Lel) group (aged ≥75 years).Results The vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gains differed significantly between the Eel and Lel groups for vHIT and caloric gain test. No Eel patient met the PVP criteria but 26.1% of Lel patients met the criteria for vHIT, and the proportions of such patients in the two groups differed significantly.Conclusion Eel subjects could be considered to differ from Lel subjects. Given the significance of both averages, VOR difference and the proportional difference in terms of meeting the PVP criteria and vHIT may be optimal when evaluating age-related changes.