A survey was made of patients over 65 years of age with vertigo or dizziness examined in the Neuro-Otological Clinic of Nagasaki University Hospital from 1969 to 1983.
1)The number of elderly patients increased significantly, especially those 70 to 74 years ofage.
2)The varieties of diseases increased by more than ten since 1975, but congenital nystagmus, epileptic vertigo, pressure trauma and autonomic disturbance did not occur in this age group.
3)Cerebro-vascular disorders and/or dizziness due to unknown etiology or due to inner ear disorders of unknown cause were seen more frequently.
4)BPPV increased characteristically in this group.
