Psychiatric disorders in patients with dizziness and Ménière’s disease

Abstract

Conclusions: The Self-Rating Depression Score (SDS) is a useful metric for identifying patients with possible psychiatric disorders. Objective: A dilemma commonly encountered by otolaryngologists is how to diagnose and treat depression and anxiety disorders in patients who have dizziness or Ménière’s disease. Methods: We administered the SDS and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to patients with dizziness (n = 116) or Ménière’s disease (n = 22). Overall, 31 and 9 patients, respectively, had SDS ≥ 41. We investigated the correlation between the two questionnaire scores and the relationship between scores and a diagnosis of depression by a psychiatrist. Results: We referred 12 patients with dizziness and 4 with Ménière’s disease to a psychiatrist. The most common psychiatric comorbidities were anxiety disorder and major depression. Overall, 7 of the 12 patients who had dizziness and all 4 patients with Ménière’s disease were diagnosed with major depression. Patients with an SDS ≥ 41 and ≥ 11 on the D portion of HADS were likely to be diagnosed with major depression (9 of 11). No psychiatric disorders were diagnosed in patients with an SDS < 41. No specific characteristics were identified by HADS in patients with a psychiatric comorbidity.

Keywords:

• Vestibular disorder
• depression
• anxiety disorder
• Self-Rating Depression Score
• Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.