Pilot study on patients with Mal de Debarquement syndrome during pregnancy

Viviana Mucci; Josephine M Canceri; Yves Jacquemyn; Angelique Van Ombergen; Leen K Maes; Paul H Van de Heyning; Cherylea J Browne

doi:10.4155/fsoa-2018-0109

Pilot study on patients with Mal de Debarquement syndrome during pregnancy

Future Sci OA. 2019 Feb 21;5(4):FSO377. doi: 10.4155/fsoa-2018-0109. eCollection 2019 Apr.

Authors

Viviana Mucci^{1

2

3

4

1

2

3

4}, Josephine M Canceri^{5

5}, Yves Jacquemyn^{6

6}, Angelique Van Ombergen^{1

2

1

2}, Leen K Maes^{7

7}, Paul H Van de Heyning^{1

2

1

2}, Cherylea J Browne^{5

8

5

8}

Affiliations

¹ Translational Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10 (Route 71-125), 2650 Edegem, Antwerp, Belgium.
² Department of Otorhinolaryngology & Head & Neck Surgery, Antwerp University Hospital, Wilrijkstraat 10 (Route 71-125), 2650 Edegem, Antwerp, Belgium.
³ Swiss Concussion Center, Schulthess Klinik, Lengghalde 2, CH-8008 Zürich, Switzerland.
⁴ Department of Neurology, Zurich University, University Hospital Zurich, Frauenklinkstrasse 26, 8091, Zürich, Switzerland.
⁵ School of Science & Health, Western Sydney University, Room 21.1.12, Campbelltown Campus, NSW 2560, Australia.
⁶ Department of Gynaecology, Antwerp University Hospital, University of Antwerp, Wilrijkstraat 10 (route 71-125), 2650 Edegem, Antwerp, Belgium.
⁷ Ghent University, Department of Audiology, Faculty of Medicine & Health Science, University Hospital Ghent, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium.
⁸ Translational Neuroscience Facility, School of Medical Sciences, Room 316, Level 3, Wallace Wurth Building, UNSW Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.

Abstract

Aim: To evaluate if patients with Mal de Debarquement syndrome (MdDS) demonstrate different symptom levels or symptom type during pregnancy.

Materials & methods: 18 MdDS patients that were or had been pregnant during their condition were recruited to complete a retrospective online questionnaire. Respondents answered questions regarding their basic clinical data, diagnosis, triggers and differences in symptom level and symptom type during pregnancy and before pregnancy.

Results: A total of 81.3% reported that their symptoms were reduced during pregnancy compared with before pregnancy. Respondents also reported a different perception of motion and experienced less dizziness while being pregnant.

Conclusion: The physiological changes that occur during pregnancy improve the symptoms of patients with MdDS, and this is potentially attributable to the rise in estrogen and progesterone.

Keywords: Mal de Debarquement syndrome (MdDS); MdDS symptoms; estrogen; pregnancy.