Self-reported dizziness, falls, and self-rated health in a rural population in Denmark

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Purpose: To investigate associations between dizziness, hearing loss, medication, and self-perceived health in the region of Lolland-Falster in Denmark. Methods: A cross-sectional population-based study using data from questionnaires and physical examinations between February 8th, 2016, and February 13th, 2020. Individuals aged 50 years or above in the region of Lolland-Falster were randomly invited to participate. Results: Of 10,092 individuals (52% female), the mean age was 64.7 and 65.7 years for females and males, respectively. 20% reported dizziness during the past 30 days, and prevalence increased with age. 24% of dizzy females suffered from falls compared to 21% of males. 43% sought treatment for dizziness. Logistic regression revealed a higher odds ratio of dizziness in groups with poor self-perceived health (OR = 2.15, 95% CI [1.71, 2.72]) and very poor self-perceived health (OR = 3.62 [1.75, 7.93]) compared to moderate self-perceived health. A higher OR was found for seeking treatment for dizziness in the group that had experienced falls (OR = 3.21 [2.54, 4.07]). 40% reported hearing loss. Logistic regression revealed a higher OR for dizziness in the group with severe hearing loss (OR = 2.40 [1.77, 3.26]) and moderate hearing loss (OR = 1.63 [1.37, 1.94]) compared to no hearing loss. Conclusion: One of five participants reported dizziness during the last month. Dizziness was negatively associated with self-perception of good health also after adjusting for comorbidities. Almost half of the dizzy participants sought treatment for dizziness and 21% experienced falls. Identification and treatment of dizziness are important to prevent falls from happening. Clinical trial registration: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov (NCT02482896).

Original languageEnglish
JournalEuropean Archives of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology
Volume280
Issue number12
Pages (from-to)5329-5337
ISSN0937-4477
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2023

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2023, The Author(s).

    Research areas

  • Cross-sectional, Dizziness, Falls, Health study, Hearing loss, Lolland-Falster

ID: 366641448