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Beyond frequency: duration, intensity, and quality of life in Ménière’s disease

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 June 2025

Tomàs Pérez-Carbonell Open the ORCID record for Tomàs Pérez-Carbonell [Opens in a new window] ,
Miguel Orts-Alborch ,
Vanesa Pérez-Guilén ,
Ignacio Pla-Gil ,
Clara Espina-González Open the ORCID record for Clara Espina-González [Opens in a new window] ,
Maria Aragonés-Redó  and
Jaime Marco-Algarra
Tomàs Pérez-Carbonell*
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
Miguel Orts-Alborch
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
Vanesa Pérez-Guilén
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Universitario La Fe, Valencia, Spain
Ignacio Pla-Gil
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
Clara Espina-González
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
Maria Aragonés-Redó
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Arnau de Vilanova, Valencia, Spain
Jaime Marco-Algarra
Affiliation:
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Clínico Universitario de Valencia Universidad de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
*
Corresponding author: Tomàs Pérez-Carbonell; Email: Tperezcarbonell@gmail.com
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Abstract

Objective

To analyse the evolution of the vertigo index and its relationship with perceived disability in unilateral and bilateral Ménière’s disease, assessing differences based on disease progression and clinical subtypes.

Methods

A longitudinal descriptive study was conducted on unilateral and bilateral Ménière’s disease patients, with data collected between 1977 and 2023 from two referral centres. Clinical and functional data were retrospectively reviewed to ensure compliance with updated diagnostic criteria. The vertigo index, integrating episode duration and frequency, quantified vertigo burden. Functional impact was assessed using the six-item American Academy of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery disability scale, categorising patients into mild or moderate/severe disability groups.

Results

Bilateral Ménière’s disease patients had a higher proportion of moderate/severe episodes (31.4 per cent) than unilateral Ménière’s disease patients (11 per cent). In unilateral Ménière’s disease patients, disability perception increased after 20 years of disease evolution. The vertigo index declined over time, except in later stages, where episodes were more disabling.

Conclusion

These findings underscore the need for long-term follow up, particularly in bilateral Ménière’s disease, where greater disability was observed. Disease management should adapt over time, addressing both vertigo burden and psycho-affective consequences.

Keywords

Ménière’s diseasevestibular systemvertigohearing lossbilaterallongitudinal studiesvestibular nerve disorders

Information

Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , First View , pp. 1 - 7
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED.

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Footnotes

Tomàs Pérez-Carbonell takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper

The meeting where it was presented was II REUNIÓN DE INVIERNO DE OTONEUROLOGÍA (RIO) in Madrid On February 21.Spain

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