Disability in Meniére's disease.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine the level of disability among patients with Menière's disease, information needed by clinicians when evaluating patients for coverage under the Americans With Disabilities Act. We hypothesized that the unpredictability of vertiginous episodes or "Menière's attacks" would be the most disabling problem, combined with the lack of a safe place to sit down during Menière's attacks.

DESIGN

All patients seen in the otolaryngology faculty practice at Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Tex, and diagnosed as having Menière's disease over a 3-year period were sent a self-administered questionnaire.

SETTING

This practice is located at a tertiary care center.

SUBJECTS

One hundred forty-nine potential subjects constituted the pool, from which data from 50 subjects provided complete data sets.

RESULTS

The data from 50 adults suggested that the most problematic symptom was vertigo, followed by hearing loss. The unpredictability of Meniere's attacks and the lack of a safe place to rest during attacks was a significant problem for few subjects.