Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 5, 2025
05:02
Using Unidirectional Rotations to Improve Vestibular System Asymmetry in Patients with Vestibular Dysfunction
Published on: August 30, 2019
7.3K
Vertigo in the Elderly: A Systematic Literature Review
Virginia Fancello1, Stavros Hatzopoulos1, Giuseppe Santopietro1
1ENT & Audiology Unit, Department of Neurosciences, University Hospital of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
|March 29, 2023
Summary
Audio-vestibular disorders are the most common cause of vertigo in elderly patients. Identifying underlying causes, including cardiovascular and neurological conditions, is crucial for effective treatment and preventing falls in older adults.
Area of Science:
- Geriatrics
- Otolaryngology
- Neurology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Dizziness and vertigo are prevalent in the elderly, impacting quality of life and increasing fall risk.
- Population aging exacerbates vertigo as a significant public health concern.
- Accurate diagnosis of vertigo's etiology is essential for appropriate patient management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify the various etiologies of vertigo in the elderly population.
- To determine the frequency of different vertigo causes in older adults.
- To review scientific literature from 2012-2022 on vertigo in the elderly.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review conducted following PRISMA guidelines.
- Searched Medline database from January 2012 to December 2022.
- Included five studies after applying selection criteria to 1025 candidate papers.
Main Results:
- Analyzed 2148 elderly patients (60-90 years old) with vertigo.
- Identified 3404 etiological conditions, with some patients having multiple causes.
- Audio-vestibular disorders (28.4%) were most common, followed by cardiovascular (20.4%) and neurological diseases (15.1%).
- Other causes included psychiatric (9.1%), ophthalmologic (7.5%), musculoskeletal (6.3%), medication adverse effects, and metabolic diseases. Etiology remained unclear in 3.4% of cases.
Conclusions:
- Audio-vestibular disorders are the leading cause of vertigo in the elderly.
- Cardiovascular and neurological disorders are the second and third most common causes, respectively, and may be life-threatening.
- A multidisciplinary approach involving various specialists is recommended for comprehensive vertigo assessment in the elderly.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Equilibrium and Balance
4.9K
The inner ear assumes dual functionalities of auditory perception and equilibrium maintenance. The vestibule is the organ responsible for balance. This organ contains mechanoreceptors, specifically hair cells, endowed with stereocilia, which aid in deciphering information regarding the position and motion of our heads. Two intrinsic components, the utricle and saccule, help perceive head position, while the semicircular canals track head movement. Neurological messages initiated in the...
4.9K
01:29The Vestibular System
39.8K
The vestibular system is a set of inner ear structures that provide a sense of balance and spatial orientation. This system is comprised of structures within the labyrinth of the inner ear, including the cochlea and two otolith organs—the utricle and saccule. The labyrinth also contains three semicircular canals—superior, posterior, and horizontal—that are oriented on different planes.
39.8K
01:22Pathophysiology of Vomiting
728
Vomiting is a complex physiological response to expel harmful or irritating substances from the body. It's a defensive mechanism triggered by stimuli like poisons, microbial toxins, cytotoxic drugs, and mechanical abdominal distension. The process is centrally coordinated by the vomiting (or emetic) center located in the medulla of the brainstem. This area, rich in muscarinic M1, histamine H1, neurokinin 1 (NK1), and serotonin 5-HT3 receptors, coordinates the act of vomiting through...
728
01:22Mitral Valve Prolapse II: Assessment and Management
29
IntroductionA range of clinical features characterizes Mitral Valve Prolapse (MVP), but it is important to note that many individuals with MVP are asymptomatic and may remain so throughout their lives. For those who do exhibit symptoms, the following are the key clinical features:Palpitations: This is a common symptom where individuals feel an irregular or rapid heartbeat. Palpitations in MVP are often due to arrhythmias such as premature ventricular contractions or supraventricular...
29
01:30Hypertension III: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Studies
36
Hypertension is asymptomatic and also referred to as the "silent killer" until it progresses to a severe stage or causes target organ disease. Patients may experience symptoms stemming from the strain on blood vessels and tissues in various organs or the heart's increased workload.Physical exams might show no abnormalities other than high blood pressure. Signs of vascular damage, when present, correspond to the organs supplied by the affected vessels, leading to target organ damage. For...
36