Physical functioning in older persons with dizziness: a population-based study

Dizziness is one of the most prevalent symptoms in old age and tends to increase with age.

To report physical functioning, health-related aspects and gender differences in elderly persons with and without dizziness in a population-based sample of 75-year-olds.

A cross-sectional sample of 75-year-olds from Gothenburg, Sweden (n = 675, 398 women and 277 men) was examined by means of questionnaires and functional tests. The questions concerned dizziness/imbalance, physical activity level, walking habits, falls efficacy, number of falls, subjective health or general fatigue and medication. The tests included were self-selected and maximum gait speed, stair climbing capacity, one leg stance and grip strength.

More women than men reported dizziness/imbalance (40 vs 30 %, p < 0.001). Persons with dizziness, compared to those without dizziness, less often regularly exercised at a moderate intensity level (summer: 62 vs 74 %, p < 0.001; winter: 41 vs 51 %, p < 0.001), less often took a daily walk (p < 0.05), had lower scores on the FES(S) (p < 0.001), more often reported general fatigue (p < 0.001), more often had fallen in the previous year (40 vs 23 %, p < 0.001) and had a higher intake of medical drugs (4.6 vs 3.3, p < 0.001). They also performed worse regarding gait speed, stair climbing and one leg stance (p < 0.001), but there was no difference in grip strength.

Older persons with dizziness are less physically active, have worse lower extremity function, are more often fallers and report lower self-rated health than persons without dizziness.