THE RELIABILITY AND VALIDITY OF "DOKUZ EYLUL UNIVERSITY MENIERE'S DISABILITY SCALE" IN ASSESSMENT OF PATIENTS WITH MENIERE'S DISEASE: A PRELIMINARY STUDY.

Meniere's disease is an idiopathic syndrome characterized by endolymphatic hydrops. Vertigo attacks are accompanied by hearing loss, tinnitus and fullness of the pathological ear. Vertigo and imbalance effect negatively the functional level of patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the reliability and validity properties of Dokuz Eylul University Meniere's Disability Scale developed originally. ENT examination, clinical history and audio-vestibular evaluation were performed to 40 patients with definite Meniere's disease. Dokuz Eylul University Meniere's Disability Scale and Dizziness Handicap Inventory were administered. 18 of patients were male, 22 were female and the mean age was 46.8±12.6 years. Means of hearing thresholds were 53.2±25.7 dB HL at pathological side, and 18.9±14.8 dB HL at non pathological side. Dokuz Eylul University Meniere's Disability Scale was repeated twice by the same clinician. Attack period of 48.5±7.2 points out of a total average score of 65 points, and non-attack period total mean score of 85.9±27.6 points out of 195 points, while the overall total average was calculated as 134.5±29.9 points out of 260 points. Cronbach alpha coefficient was calculated as 0.904. Intra-class correlation value was found to be significant (p<0.001). As a result of this study, for evaluation and clinical follow-up of patients with Meniere's disease, Dokuz Eylul University Meniere's Disability Scale is a valid and reliable scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]