A Case Control Study of Meniere's Disease

Abstract

A case-control study of Meniere's disease revealed the following triggers or etiological factors:
(1) Mental/physical exhaustion, emotional irritability, insufficient sleep, fluctuation in atmospheric pressure and certain foods which were probable triggers of attacks of vertigo.
(2) The odd ratios (similarity of relative risk in comparison with controls) of these triggers were 1.7-3.5 times higher in males than in females for emotional irritability and some foods which were higher in females.
(3) Mental/physical exhaustion and emotional irritability had the highest odd ratio in the sixth decade. Insufficient sleep had the highest in those under 50 years of age, and fluctuation in atmospheric pressure in those over 60.
(4) Smoking, drinking, proximity to cats and hypotension were likely to be triggers of attacks of vertigo.