Survey of Ménière's disease in a subspecialty referral practice.

OBJECTIVES

To define the prevalence of definite Ménière's disease (MD) among patients presenting with characteristic symptoms and examine the utility of published diagnostic guidelines.

STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING

Retrospective review in an academic referral practice.

RESULTS

The prevalence of definite MD in these 295 individuals was 64%. The next-largest group (23%) consisted of patients with only cochlear symptoms. Those initially classified as probable are usually reclassified as definite with extended follow-up. Of those with definite MD, the mean duration of disease at last follow-up was 7.6 years, 56% were female, 19% had bilateral disease, and 34% required surgical management for vertigo.

CONCLUSIONS

The 1995 AAO-HNS guidelines are useful for classification of MD according to certainty of diagnosis and severity of disease, though some modifications could be considered.

SIGNIFICANCE

Application of consistent diagnostic criteria is essential for epidemiological, genetic, or outcomes studies of Ménière's disease.