Functional dizziness: from diagnostic criteria to clinical profiles and therapy. Expert consensus

Abstract

Functional dizziness (FD) is the most common form of chronic dizziness, accounting for up to 20% of all cases of chronic dizziness and is diagnosed in 40% of patients referred to specialized clinics. This article discusses the pathogenesis, clinical manifestations and diagnostic features of FD. An overview of standard and new methods of drug therapy and methods of vestibular rehabilitation for patients with FD is provided. Experts conclude that FD, currently defined as persistent postural perceptual dizziness (PPPD), is the most common cause of chronic non-rotational dizziness. PPPD is thought to be multifactorial; central and peripheral vestibular disorders, anxiety disorders and traumatic brain injury are noted as possible precipitating causes. The diagnosis of PPPD is based on the presence of a feeling of unsteadiness or non-rotational dizziness occurring more than half of the days over a period of three months or longer, when other possible causes of dizziness have been ruled out. When managing a patient with PPPD, it is necessary to inform the patient about the nature of the disease, provide a patient with an education program and apply psychotherapy and vestibular rehabilitation methods. The use of buspirone prolonged-release tablets (Vespirate®) and vestibular rehabilitation in clinical practice is discussed.

Keywords

• dizziness
• functional dizziness
• persistent postural perceptual dizziness
• buspirone
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors