The Basic Symptom Inventory—53 and its use in the management of patients with psychogenic dizziness

Abstract

Objective: To identify an accurate psychological screening questionnaire to assist in the management of patients with psychogenic dizziness. Study Design: Patients referred to the Balance Center of the University of Pennsylvania with a presumptive diagnosis of psychogenic dizziness based on neurotologic assessment were administered a Basic Symptom Inventory—53 (BSI—53) psychological screening questionnaire and were referred for psychiatric assessment. Neither the patients nor the psychiatrist were aware of the results of the BSI—53. The results of the neurotologic assessment, the BSI—53, and the psychiatric assessment were then compared for their degree of association. Results: Strong associations were demonstrated between the results of the BSI—53 questionnaire and the results of the neurotologic and psychiatric assessments. Conclusions: The BSI—53 is an easily administered, objective, and accurate tool useful in identifying the presence of psychopathology in patients thought to have psychogenic dizziness. It is recommended as a valuable addition to the battery of tests performed when evaluating the dizzy patient. (Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg 2001;125:533-6.)