Abstract
ObjectivesDizziness is common in older people. Physicians are often unable to identify a specific cause for dizziness in older people, even after an extensive diagnostic work-up. A prognosis-oriented approach, i.e. treating modifiable risk factors for an unfavourable course of dizziness, may reduce dizziness-related impairment in older people in primary care.DesignCluster randomized controlled trial.Setting45 primary care practices in The Netherlands.Participants168 participants aged ≥65y who consulted their general practitioner for dizziness and experienced significant dizziness-related impairment (Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) ≥30). Participants were part of to the intervention group (n = 83) or control group (n = 85), depending on whether they were enlisted in an intervention practice or in a control practice.InterventionsThe multifactorial intervention consisted of: medication adjustment in case of ≥3 prescribed fall-risk-increasing drugs (FRIDs) and/or stepped mental health care in case of anxiety disorder and/or depression and/or exercise therapy in case of impaired functional mobility. The intervention was compared to usual care.Outcome measuresThe primary outcome was dizziness-related impairment. Secondary outcomes were quality of life (QoL), dizziness frequency, fall frequency, anxiety and depression, use of FRIDs.ResultsIntention-to-treat analysis showed no significant intervention effect on dizziness-related impairment (DHI score difference -0.69 [95% CI -5.66;4.28]; p = 0.79). The intervention proved effective in reducing the number of FRIDs (FRID difference -0.48 [95% CI -0.89;-0.06]; p = 0.02). No significant intervention effects were found on other secondary outcomes. The uptake of and adherence to the interventions was significantly lower in patients eligible for ≥2 interventions compared to patients eligible for one intervention (p<0.001).ConclusionsThe multifactorial intervention for dizziness in older patients showed no significant intervention effect on most outcomes and adherence to the multifactorial intervention was low. Although multifactorial treatment for older dizzy people seems promising in theory, we question its feasibility in daily practice. Future research could focus on a sequential treatment for dizziness, e.g. measuring effectiveness of various evidence-based therapies in a stepwise approach.
Highlights
Dizziness is a common health problem in older people
The intervention proved effective in reducing the number of fall-risk-increasing drugs (FRIDs) (FRID difference -0.48 [95% CI -0.89;0.06]; p = 0.02)
Future research could focus on a sequential treatment for dizziness, e.g. measuring effectiveness of various evidence-based therapies in a stepwise approach
Summary
Dizziness is a common health problem in older people. Older people with dizziness have an increased risk of falling [13]. Most guidelines on dizziness promote a diagnosis-oriented approach, starting with a search for its cause followed by treatment once the underlying illness has been diagnosed [14,15]. In older people, dizziness is often a diagnostic challenge because it can refer to a variety of sensations and there are many potential causes. Considering the high rate of older patients with unknown cause of dizziness or inability to treat its cause, a prognosis-oriented approach might add to the diagnosis-oriented approach [22,23]. Older patients with dizziness can be treated without knowing the precise cause of dizziness
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