Estimation of Treatment of Patients with Meniere's Disease by Questionnaires

Abstract

Clinical effects of therapy given from 1973 to 1977 to 42 patients with Meniere's disease were evaluated by follow-up questionnaires.Vertigo was relieved in 38 (90%): there was no attack of vertigo in 17 (40%) and vertigo was relieved in 21 (50%).On the other hand, cochlear disorders were improved in 14 (33%), unchanged in 23 (55%), and aggravated in 6 (14%).In 21 patients with Meniere's disease of 2-3 years duration, vertigo was relieved in 20 (95%).In 20 patients who experienced relief, attack of vertigo did not occur in 8 (38%), and vertigo was relieved in 12 (57%), and aggravated in 2 (10%). Hearing loss as a side effect of therapy was not evident on the audiograms.Furosemide given in small doses was most effective in cases of recurrences of the vertigo.While on small doses of Furosemide, hearing loss was not aggravated in any patient, rather hearing improvement in speech discrimination occurred in 60 to 90 percent in one patient.When anti-vertiginous drugs were given, the regional action of the sympathetic system in a-adrenergic stimulation was probably related to changes in excitability of unilateral organs (in Meniere's disease) other than static dysfunction (in sensorineural hearing loss and equilibrium disorders) and relief for symptoms of Meniere's disease was evident.