Seasonality of dizziness and vertigo in a tropical region

Abstract

Vertigo and dizziness are among the most common medical complaints in the emergency room, and are associated with a considerable personal and health care burden. Scarce and conflicting reports indicate those symptoms may present a seasonal distribution. This study aimed at investigating the existence of a seasonal distribution of vertigo/dizziness in a tropical region, and the correlations of these findings with climatic variables. The charts of all patients consecutively admitted between 2009 and 2012 in the emergency room of a Brazilian general hospital were reviewed. A total of 4920 cases containing these terms were sorted from a sample of 276 076 emergency records. Seasonality was assessed using Cosinor Analysis. Pearson's correlations were performed between the incidence of consultations, considering separately dizziness and vertigo and each of the predictor climatic variables of that index month. Significant seasonal patterns were observed for dizziness and vertigo in the emergency room. Vertigo was more frequent in late winter–spring, negatively correlating to humidity (r = −0.374; p = 0.013) and rainfall (r = −0.334; p = 0.020). Dizziness peaked on summer months, and positively correlated to average temperatures (r = 0.520; p < 0.001) and rainfall (r = 0.297; p = 0.040), but negatively to atmospheric pressure (r = −0.424; p = 0.003). The different seasonal patterns evidenced for dizziness and vertigo indicate possible distinct underlying mechanisms of how seasons may influence the occurrence of those symptoms.

• Climate
• dizziness
• rhythmicity
• seasonal
• vertigo

Declaration of interest

No potential conflicts of interest to be declared.

This research project was funded by FAPEMIG (Fundação de Apoio à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais) – APQ-01144-12.