Department of Otolaryngology, Mater Misericordiae University Hospital, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland.
Ir J Med Sci. 2022 Feb;191(1):385-389. doi: 10.1007/s11845-021-02575-6. Epub 2021 Mar 6.
International studies show that dizziness and vertigo are a significant burden on the general population, with 20-30% experiencing symptoms over a lifetime. There are no Irish studies indicating prevalence. The aim of this study was to review primary care referrals for patients with dizziness and vertigo to an otolaryngology tertiary centre.
A review of an out-patient department waiting list was performed on primary care referrals for dizziness and vertigo to an otolaryngology tertiary centre. Demographic information was recorded on all patients referred between May 2017 and August 2019.
Two hundred fifteen patients out of 901 patients (24%) referred to an otologist between May 2017 and August 2019 were referred with dizziness as a presenting complaint. The average age was 51 years. F/M ratio was 3:2. The average waiting time was 441 days. The most common associated otological symptom was tinnitus (42%). Relevant comorbidities included anxiety, depression, migraine/headaches and cardiac disease.
This study demonstrates that a significant number of patients referred to an otologist from primary care are referred with dizziness and vertigo and supports the need for the establishment of multi-disciplinary vestibular/balance centres to address and manage these patients.
国际研究表明，头晕和眩晕对普通人群来说是一个重大负担，有 20-30%的人在一生中会出现症状。爱尔兰尚无相关患病率的研究。本研究旨在回顾耳鼻喉科三级中心因头晕和眩晕而转介的初级保健患者。
对 2017 年 5 月至 2019 年 8 月期间耳鼻喉科三级中心因头晕和眩晕而转介的初级保健患者的门诊等候名单进行了审查。记录了所有转介患者的人口统计学信息。
2017 年 5 月至 2019 年 8 月期间，有 215 名患者（901 名患者的 24%）因头晕作为主要症状被转介至耳科医生处。平均年龄为 51 岁。男女比例为 3:2。平均等候时间为 441 天。最常见的相关耳科症状是耳鸣（42%）。相关合并症包括焦虑、抑郁、偏头痛/头痛和心脏病。
本研究表明，从初级保健转介到耳科医生处的患者中，有相当数量的患者因头晕和眩晕而转介，这支持建立多学科前庭/平衡中心来处理和管理这些患者的必要性。
