Health-related quality of life and dizziness in old age

In a representative population of ambulant and home-dwelling 76-year-old citizens in Sweden (n = 565), dizziness was reported in about one third of the sample and more frequent in women. The dizzy subjects had more locomotor disorders, angina, urinary incontinence, stroke/paresis, and mental disorders than the non-dizzy. Unsteadiness was the most frequently reported sensation of dizziness and was more common in women than in men. Dizziness had a detrimental influence on all quality of life dimensions and daily life areas, as measured by the Nottingham Health Profile (NHP), except home life and, in women, social life. Dizzy subjects reported more frequently memory problems and anxiety than non-dizzy subjects. Dizziness showed a significant correlation with nervousness and depression in men. Dizziness seems to be one of the most important single symptoms with a negative influence on well-being in old age. It should be recognized as a serious complaint, especially in men, and, therefore, recorded in regular screenings in the elderly.