2007 Volume 100 Issue 8 Pages 629-635
We studied the recent tendency of 2295 patients with vertigo and dizziness who visited the neurotological clinic in Hyogo College of Medicine between 1994 and 2002. Also, we compared 191 patients in 1994 with 380 patients in 2002.
A total of 60% of the patients were diagnosed with vertigo of peripheral vestibular origin, those with central or systemic origin accounted for 12%, and unknown origin for 28% in 2002. Most patients with peripheral vestibular origin were suffering from BPPV (26%), and Meniere's disease (18%). The percentage with peripheral vestibular origin increased from 36% to 60% between 1994 and 2004, and there was a significant increase in Meniere's disease. The percentage with central or systemic origin decreased from 34% to 12%.
The age distribution of all patients showed a peak in the sixth decade in 2002 and showed an aging tendency compared to 1994. The number of women with Meniere's disease increased over widespread ages between 1994 and 2002. Most patients with Meniere's disease, BPPV, and of unknown origin were under sixty. Although only 5% of patients were diagnosed with cerebrovascular disease (including vertebro-basilar insufficiency, and cerebral infarction), 79% were over 60 years old.
About 60% of the patients were referred from other physicians both in 1994 and 2002. The percentage of patients from other otolaryngologists increased from 5% to 22% between 1994 and 2002.
