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The Prevalence of Dizziness and Its Association With Functional Disability in a Biracial Community Population

^a Rush Alzheimer's Disease Center, Rush University and Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
^b Rush Institute for Healthy Aging, Rush University and Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
^c Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University and Rush Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois

Neelum T. Aggarwal, Rush Alzheimer\|[apos ]\|s Disease Center, 1645 W. Jackson Boulevard, Suite 675, Chicago, IL 60612 E-mail: nervedocs{at}aol.com.

Decision Editor: William B. Ershler, MD

Background. Information regarding the prevalence of dizziness and its association with functional disability among African American and white residents from defined community populations is limited.

Methods. A total of 6,158 persons 65 years and older (78.8% of age-eligible persons) completed in-home interviews that included three common measures of self-reported disability: the Katz Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Scale, the Rosow-Breslau Functional Health Scale, and the Nagi Physical Disability Scale. A stratified random sample of 729 persons underwent a detailed evaluation that included questions on the frequency and severity of dizziness, which was defined as having an episode of dizziness or lightheadedness at least once a month.

Results. The overall prevalence of dizziness in this population was 9.6% (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.2–12.0). It increased with age, from 6.6% in those 65–74 years old, to 11.6% in those 75–84 years old, and to 18.4% in those persons 85 years old. It was more common in women (odds ratio [OR] 2.03, 95% CI 0.99–4.19) but was not associated with race. After adjusting for age, sex, and race, dizziness was associated with greater disability on the Rosow-Breslau (OR 2.29, 95% CI 1.18–4.46) and Nagi (OR 2.54, 95% CI 1.48–4.36) measures but not on the Katz ADL Scale (OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.64–2.20).

Conclusions. Dizziness is common among older persons and is associated with functional disability.

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