[A method for prediction functional dizziness after benign paroxysmal positional vertigo]

To identify risk factors for functional vertigo (FV) in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) based on the analysis of emotional and personality disorders at the time of the occurrence of BPPV and to develop a method for predicting its development.

The study included 93 people, 81 women (87.1%), with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), aged 18 to 65 years, mean age 50 [41.5; 59]). After successful treatment with repositioning maneuvers, patients were re-examined 1 month later. Fifty-three patients underwent a semi-structured interview to identify a history of panic attacks (PA) using DSM-5 diagnostic criteria. After successful BPPV treatment, patients completed the following scales and questionnaires: Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI), Vertigo Symptom Scale Short form (VSS-SF), Numeric analog scale of fear (from 0 to 10), Depersonalization-Derealization Inventory (DDI), PHQ-9, GAD-7, PHQ-15, Holmes-Rahe Stress Inventory, Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI).

The cohort was divided into two groups according to the presence (group 1, n=17) or absence (group 2, n=76) of complaints for dizziness 1 month after BPPV. The frequency of PA history in group 1 was higher than in group 2 (80 vs 29.3%). Patients from group 1 had higher rates in all scales: DHI (57 vs 49, p=0.048), subscale DHI-E (18 vs 12, p=0.006), and subscale A VSS-SF (9 vs 5, p=0.03); DDI (18 vs 11, p=0.01), GAD-7 (13 vs 4), p=0.0002), Numeric analog scale of fear (10 vs 5, p<0.00005), ASI (55.5 vs 36.5, p<0.005). We developed a predictive method for diagnosis FD after BPPV, which sensitivity is 78.9% (95% CI 67.80-86.94) and specificity 94.12% (95% CI 71.31-99.85).

The likelihood of developing FV after BPPV can be predicted using the proposed predictive method. Early screening for FV can be used to prevent persistent postural-perceptual dizziness.