The possible relationship between health anxiety and vertigo

Abstract

Background: Health anxiety is defined by fears and worries of a severe illness in an otherwise healthy subject. A recent epidemiological study found a point prevalence of 3.4% and a life time prevalence of 5.7% for health anxiety. The term vertigo is a symptom, not a disease. Aims & Objectives: Health anxiety has not been investigated previously in patients with vertigo complaint. In this study we investigated the possible relationship between health anxiety and vertigo. Materials and Methods: We performed Short Health Anxiety Inventory (SHAI) scale in Turkish and Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI) to study group and control group. The study group consisted of 62 patients who admitted to the otolaryngology clinic with vertigo complaint. The control group consisted of 70 healthy subjects. Results: With regard to the SHAI and BAI scores. With regard to gender and marital status, SHAI and BAI results did not reach significant difference. Conclusion: Health anxiety and vertigo are common problems that may easily be neglected by busy general practitioners. Otolaryngologists and psychiatrists should be in closer cooperation to diagnose and to treat these health problems.