Audiovestibular evaluation after bariatric surgery

Abstract

Objectives: In this research, we will focus on the problem of balance disorders reported by some patients following bariatric surgery. We will determine the most sensitive tests for predicting vestibular disorders in bariatric patients and identify the correlations between vestibular investigations and laboratory investigations.Design: All subjects who participated in this study were subjected to basic audiological evaluations, vestibular evaluations and laboratory investigations.Study sample: Subjects who participated in this study were classified into two groups: the control group, which included 12 volunteer subjects and the bariatric group, which included 19 subjects who had different types of bariatric and experiencing vertigo symptoms.Results: Laboratory investigations revealed that bariatric patients had low Vitamin D, B1, Na and Mg levels. A comparison between the vertigo symptoms and the laboratory investigation showed a significant correlation with the vestibular tests. The pursuit test and saccade had high positive correlations with vertigo characteristic. Sensitivity was 76.5% and specificity was 85.7%.Conclusions: Saccade latency and pursuit gain were the most sensitive tests for predicting vestibular disorders in bariatric patients. There were correlations between the vestibular investigations and the laboratory investigations. Auditory and vestibular symptoms may occur prior to other manifestations.