1. Orthostatic hypotension and psychiatric comorbidities in patients with dizziness.
- Author
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Pezzoli M, Garzaro M, Pecorari G, Canale A, Meistro D, Mangiardi ML, Giordano C, and Albera R
- Subjects
- Adult, Aged, Anxiety psychology, Case-Control Studies, Chi-Square Distribution, Depression psychology, Dizziness physiopathology, Female, Humans, Hypotension, Orthostatic physiopathology, Interview, Psychological, Male, Middle Aged, Risk Factors, Sex Factors, Tilt-Table Test, Anxiety complications, Depression complications, Dizziness complications, Dizziness psychology, Hypotension, Orthostatic complications, Hypotension, Orthostatic psychology
- Abstract
Purpose: The present study was undertaken to investigate orthostatic hypotension and psychiatric comorbidity with anxiety and depression in dizzy patients., Materials and Methods: Sixty-three patients with nonspecific dizziness and 27 volunteer subjects were evaluated with the head-up tilt test (HUTT) and the Standardized Structured Clinical Interview for the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition, Axis I., Results: Orthostatic hypotension was induced by HUTT in 44% of patients and in 15% of volunteers (P = .0082); we found that the incidence of anxiety and depression was significantly higher (P < .05) in patients with nonspecific dizziness than in controls. Orthostatic hypotension was related to age but not to antihypertensive therapy and sex. Dizziness during the HUTT was reported by 49% of patients and 33% of volunteers (P = .2469). Among patients, dizziness was found to be related to sex (female) and anxiety. A correlation between dizziness and anxiety was also present in volunteers. Head-up tilt test induced vasovagal reactions in 2 volunteers., Conclusions: Orthostatic hypotension is present in a high percentage of patients with orthostatic dizziness, and anxiety and depression are an important factor in the onset of dizziness. A high percentage of abnormal responses in volunteer subjects seems to indicate that the HUTT is not indicated for routine use., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)
- Published
- 2012
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