Persistence of symptoms in primary somatoform vertigo and dizziness: a disorder "lost" in health care?

J Nerv Ment Dis. 2013 Apr;201(4):328-33. doi: 10.1097/NMD.0b013e318288e2ad.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to perform a 3-year follow-up of primary somatoform vertigo and dizziness (SVD) regarding health care use and treatment. Ninety-two patients with dizziness underwent detailed vestibular neurophysiological testing and a Structured Clinical Interview for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition. Psychometric assessments comprised the Vertigo Symptom Scale, the Vertigo Handicap Questionnaire, the SCL-90-R, and the Short-Form-36 Health Survey. At the 3-year follow-up, 65 patients with primary SVD (anxiety, n = 29; depression, n = 14; somatoform disorders, n = 22) were reassessed (70.7% response). The patients improved in symptom severity (p < 0.05), handicap (p < 0.01), and physical quality of life (QoL; p < 0.05) but showed no change in emotional distress. A total of 63.1% (of n = 65) had ongoing SVD. A total of 69.2% (of n = 65) received different forms of treatments. A total of 46.1% (of n = 65) searched redundant medical diagnostic procedures. The patients with decreased coping capacity over time obtained the best prognosis. Primary SVD is an ineffectively treated disorder. Recommendations for specific complaint-oriented psychotherapy programs were given.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anxiety Disorders / diagnosis
  • Anxiety Disorders / psychology
  • Anxiety Disorders / therapy
  • Cooperative Behavior*
  • Depressive Disorder / diagnosis
  • Depressive Disorder / psychology
  • Depressive Disorder / therapy
  • Disability Evaluation
  • Dizziness / diagnosis*
  • Dizziness / psychology*
  • Dizziness / therapy
  • Female
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Interdisciplinary Communication*
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Psychotherapy
  • Somatoform Disorders / diagnosis*
  • Somatoform Disorders / psychology*
  • Somatoform Disorders / therapy
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vertigo / diagnosis*
  • Vertigo / psychology*
  • Vertigo / therapy