Dizziness is one of the most common symptoms referred by adults. This symptom can decrease the dizzy patient's quality of life. AIM: To describe the results obtained from the application of the Brazilian version of the DHI and compare them with the conclusion of the vestibular test of the same patients. STUDY DESIGN: Clinical randomized. MATERIAL METHOD: Twenty five consecutive patients with chronic dizziness complaint were submitted to this questionnaire at the Otoneurology Clinic of the Universidade Federal de São Paulo. These patients were female and male adults with ages ranging from 44 to 88 years. RESULTS: All patients presented handicap in their quality of life due to dizziness, mainly in the functional aspects. The functional aspects were worse (differences were statistically significant) in patients with peripheral vestibular hypofunction syndrome than the patients with peripheral vestibular hyperfunction syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: 1. Patients with chronic dizziness present abnormal quality of life because of dizziness, in relation to the physical, functional and emotional aspects, verified with the application of the Brazilian version of the DHI. Patients with peripheral vestibular hypofunction syndrome present worse quality of life because of dizziness related to the functional aspects than the patients with peripheral vestibular hyperfunction syndrome, verified at the application of the Brazilian version of the DHI.
dizziness; vertigo; quality of life; vestibular diseases
