Comorbid Psychiatric Conditions of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo
Abstract
Background: No studies have assessed psychopathology among benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) patients. The
General Health Questionnaire allows for distinguishing patients suffering from psychiatric problems from those in good mental
health.
Objective: To assess the psychiatric illness in Saudi patients with BPPV.
Methods: The study was cross-sectional in nature. Institutional ethics committee approval and individual informed consent from
study participants were obtained. Fifty patients with BPPV with unknown psychiatric illness were given the General Health
Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) questionnaire to complete.
Results: Complete data were available for 50 patients. Thirty patients (60%) with BPPV scored above the conventional
threshold. Their subgroups were: somatic complaints 28%, anxiety and insomnia 28%, social dysfunction 34%, and severe
depression 10%.
Conclusions: Greater attention needs to be paid to BPPV patients. Vulnerable female patients may have high levels of
psychiatric symptomatology that may benefit from assessment and intervention.
General Health Questionnaire allows for distinguishing patients suffering from psychiatric problems from those in good mental
health.
Objective: To assess the psychiatric illness in Saudi patients with BPPV.
Methods: The study was cross-sectional in nature. Institutional ethics committee approval and individual informed consent from
study participants were obtained. Fifty patients with BPPV with unknown psychiatric illness were given the General Health
Questionnaire-28 (GHQ-28) questionnaire to complete.
Results: Complete data were available for 50 patients. Thirty patients (60%) with BPPV scored above the conventional
threshold. Their subgroups were: somatic complaints 28%, anxiety and insomnia 28%, social dysfunction 34%, and severe
depression 10%.
Conclusions: Greater attention needs to be paid to BPPV patients. Vulnerable female patients may have high levels of
psychiatric symptomatology that may benefit from assessment and intervention.