Significance of subtype-determining questionnaire in efficient diagnosis and treatment of BPPV

Rapid recognition of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) matters in many ways, questionnaires evolve as a new alternative for diagnosis. A subtype-determining questionnaire is a more advanced but rarely studied type.

To explore the practicability of a subtype-determining questionnaire in facilitating diagnosis and treatment of BPPV.

A BPPV subtype-determining questionnaire was applied to vertiginous patients. All patients underwent the positional test, performed by one technician, who was either informed or uninformed about questionnaire results randomly. In the informed group, the technician checked the canal indicated by the questionnaire straightforwardly; in the uninformed group, she performed the conventional positional test. Diagnostic parameters of the questionnaire and disparities between the 2 groups were investigated.

The accuracy, sensitivity, specificity of question 1-3 for diagnosing BPPV is 74.4%, 90.9%, 66.6% respectively. Question 4 shows an accuracy of 80.7% in determining BPPV subtype, question 5 yields an accuracy of 78.7% in ascertaining the affected side, question 6 exhibits an accuracy of 87.2% in deciding canalithiasis or cupulolithiasis. Both examination and treatment time were shorter in the informed group (p < .05).

This subtype-determining questionnaire has appealing diagnostic ability. It provides valuable information that's conducive to fast diagnosis and efficient treatment of BPPV.