The translation of the Vertigo Symptom Scale into Afrikaans: A pilot study

Abstract

Vertigo is a common clinical problem that is challenging to diagnose and treat. While it has a broad range of aetiologies, the association between vestibular disturbance and anxiety is well established. The Vertigo Symptom Scale (VSS) is a questionnaire that assesses both dizziness and dizziness-related anxiety. The aim of this study was twofold. First, a translation of the VSS into Afrikaans was evaluated using the Delphi technique. Consensus was achieved within the Delphi rounds and a final tool was agreed upon. Second, the Afrikaans Vertigo Symptom Scales (AVSS) was piloted on a sample of vertiginous and control participants. The results of the pilot study yielded significant statistical differences between the groups on both subscales of the tool (vertigo symptom scale and anxiety and autonomic symptom scale). Results suggest that the AVSS is able to identify patients with vertiginous disturbance and anxiety. The AVSS presents with good sensitivity and specificity as measured by the ROC curve. Clinical implications are discussed.

Keywords

• Afrikaans, anxiety, Delphi, dizziness, vertigo, Vertigo Symptom Scale, vestibular disorders