Correlation between subjective and objective measures in bilateral vestibulopathy

Bilateral vestibulopathy (BVP) is a chronic and potentially very disabling condition. The impact of the vestibular loss on quality of life (QoL) is variable and still up for discussion. However, previous studies have reported that BVP has a negative impact of QoL.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the association between vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) gain and saccade pattern and patient reported QoL.

Ten patients fulfilling the Bárány criteria of BVP were included in the study. All patients underwent vestibular evaluation using Head Impulse Paradigm (HIMP) and Suppression Head Impulse Paradigm (SHIMP) and responded to Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI). DHI was used as a measurement for QoL.

Linear regression revealed a tendency to a correlation between lateral VOR-gain measured by HIMP or SHIMP and total DHI score. Covert saccades were related to low total DHI scores. No association was found between type of SHIMP saccade and QoL. No significant correlations were found.

A tendency was found towards a relationship between lateral VOR-gain by HIMP or SHIMP and total DHI score. The study also indicates that covert saccades are related to low impact on QoL.