Prevalence of allergy in Meniere's disease.

OBJECTIVES

The goal of this study was to determine the prevalence of allergy in a population of patients with Meniere's disease.

METHODS

A survey was mailed to all patients with Meniere's disease seen at our institution from 1994 to July 1998 (n = 1490). As a control group, 172 patients with otologic problems other than Meniere's disease completed the same survey.

RESULTS

Of 734 respondents with Meniere's disease, 59.2% reported possible airborne allergy, 40.3% had or suspected food allergies, and 37% had had confirmatory skin or in vitro tests for allergy. These prevalence rates were significantly higher than those found in the control group, of which 42.7% reported having or suspecting airborne allergies and 25% had or suspected food allergies (differences all significant at P< or =0.005).

CONCLUSION

The prevalence of allergy appears to be much higher in patients with Meniere's disease than in the general population or the population of patients visiting an otologic clinic for other symptoms.