Epidemiology of vestibular vertigo in a neuro-otology clinic population in Thailand.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the epidemiology of vestibular vertigo, including the new entity of vestibular migraine, in a neuro-otology clinic population in the biggest public hospital in Thailand.

STUDY DESIGN AND

SETTING

A prospective study involving all patients presenting to the neuro-otology clinic in the Rajavithi Hospital in Bangkok between November 2007 and November 2008.

SUBJECTS AND

METHODS

The population studied consisted of adults referred to the neuro-otology clinic. Accepted international criteria and standardised otological and, when necessary, psychiatric assessment were applied to establish each diagnosis. The association between diagnoses and potential triggers was explored.

RESULTS

Of the 167 patients assessed, the most prevalent conditions encountered were benign paroxysmal positional vertigo and vestibular migraine. The prevalence of vestibular migraine was 29.3 per cent. No cases of Ménière's disease were encountered. An association was found between vestibular migraine and inadequate sleep, insomnia and changes of head position.

CONCLUSION

This study provides current data on the epidemiology of vestibular vertigo in a Thai neuro-otology out-patient population. The results include data on the prevalence of the new diagnostic entity of vestibular migraine, and on its association with potential triggers.