Characteristics of vestibular autorotation test in patients with persistent postural-perceptual dizziness

Abstract

Objective To investigate the characteristics of vestibular autorotation test (VAT) in patients with persistent postural-perceptual dizziness (PPPD). Methods A total of 47 patients with PPPD, 51 patients with peripheral vertigo and 43 patients with central vertigo in our hospital from December 2019 to December 2020 were retrospectively recruited in this study. Their general data and indicators of VAT were compared among the 3 groups. Results The patients from the PPPD group had the youngest average age and longest course of disease when compared with the other 2 groups (both P < 0.01). The number of cases with increased horizontal gain was significantly higher in the central vertigo group than the other 2 groups (P < 0.01), and the number of those with decreased horizontal gain was obviously higher in the peripheral vertigo group than the other 2 groups (P < 0.01). The PPPD group had notably less patients with abnormal asymmetry than the other 2 groups (P < 0.05). The number of abnormal horizontal gain combined with abnormal horizontal phase shift was remarkably larger in the peripheral vertigo group and central vertigo group than the PPPD group (P < 0.01). There were more patients having simple abnormal horizontal phase shift in the PPPD group than the other 2 groups (P < 0.01). Positive correlation was observed between the course of disease and abnormal horizontal phase shift in the PPPD group (r=0.439). Conclusion The VAT of PPPD patients is mainly characterized by simple horizontal phase shift abnormalities, peripheral or central vertigo is mainly caused by abnormal horizontal gain combined with abnormal horizontal phase shift, VAT can provide reference for differential diagnosis of PPPD.

Keywords

• persistent postural-perceptual dizziness
• peripheral vertigo
• central vertigo
• vestibular autorotation test