Prevalence of Anxiety and Depression in Patients Diagnosed with Vestibular Neuritis or Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Background: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a disorder characterized by episodic vertigo attacks lasting seconds triggered by head position. Vestibular neuritis (VN) is a disorder of peripheral origin with symptoms such as severe vertigo, nausea, and vomiting in the acute phase. Both BPPV and VN are among the most common causes of vertigo. In clinical practice, many individuals with peripheral vestibular disor ders also suffer from psychological symptoms such as depression and anxiety. The aim of this study was to determine the levels of anxiety and depression in patients diagnosed with BPPV or VN in the acute stage.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 46 patients with BPPV and 26 with VN aged between 18 and 65 years who presented to the otorhinolaryngology outpatient clinic with complaints of dizziness. Data were collected within 48 hours of symptom onset. The Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), and the Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) were used to collect data.

Results: There was no statistically significant difference in the BAI, BDI, and DHI subscores (physical, emotional, and functional) and total scores between the BPPV and VN groups (P-values ranging from .324 to .915). However, DHI scores in both groups indicated moderate dizziness dis ability, while BDI scores were minimal in both groups. Although BAI scores were moderate in both groups, higher scores were observed in the VN group compared to the BPPV group.

Conclusion: Psychological symptoms frequently accompany vestibular disorders, such as BPPV and VN. In conjunction with medical treatment, providing psychological support can enhance the overall management of vertigo in affected patients.

Cite this article as: Öçal FCA, Karababa E, Akba! Gülek RN, Sunar A, Aydın E. Prevalence of anxiety and depression in patients diagnosed with vestibular neuritis or benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. B-ENT. 2025;21(1):24-30.