Etiological spectrum of vertigo and dizziness: Clinic-based study from a specialty medical center in Dubai

Abstract

Dizziness is a common complaint in neurological outpatients. Vestibular disorders are the most common cause of dizziness. There are few studies quantifying the frequency of vestibular disorders in Dubai population. The aim of this study is to report the etiological spectrum of vertigo and dizziness from a vertigo specialty clinic in Dubai. The study was conducted at Vertigo clinic, equipped with Video-oculography (VOG). All the consecutive patients suffering from dizziness visiting the Vertigo clinic in the last three months were included in the study. Detailed history taking and neurotological examination was performed in every patient. VOG, Neuroimaging studies and other investigations were done when it was felt appropriate. During the 3-month study period, 222 patients [141 males and 81 females, mean age 38 years, range 19–83 years] were enrolled in the study. The most frequent (Fig.1) causes were vestibular migraine (43.2%)- [definite:44.8% probable:55.2%] and BPPV (19.8%). This was followed by Meniere’s disease (7.2%) and persistent-postural-phobic dizziness (4.9% alone and 6.7% co-morbid). Other causes included: psychiatric causes (4%), acute unilateral vestibulopathy (3.1%), post-traumatic dizziness (3.1%), vestibular paroxysmia (2.7%), stroke (2.2%), drug-induced (1.3%), multiple sclerosis (0.45%) and other disorders (3.1%). In 4.5% of patients no cause could be established. Vestibular migraine is one of the most common cause of dizziness and vertigo. This is probably the largest study of Vertigo patients in Dubai population. The etiological spectrum of vertigo seen in this study is similar to the spectrum reported from other countries.