Dizziness symptom severity and impact on daily living as perceived by patients suffering from peripheral vestibular disorder

The purpose of this study was to describe quality-of-life aspects in a grou p of patients (n = 99) suffering from peripheral vestibular disorder, using three different self-rated instruments, the Vertigo Symptom Scale (VSS), t he Vertigo Handicap Questionnaire (VHQ) and the Sickness Impact Profile (SI P). The results showed that the type of dizziness that most influenced the quality-of-life aspects were: frequent short- or long-term dizziness, nause a, and the feeling that the ground was distant or as though the patient wer e walking on clouds. However, several of the impairments in daily life were neither related to the disease itself nor the demographic data. This verif ies the necessity of investigating other factors such as personality and co ping capacity. The results of this study also demonstrate the patients' nee d of psychosocial support. A comprehensive assessment and evaluation is imp ortant in order to identify each patient's needs.