Visual analog scale to assess vertigo and dizziness after repositioning maneuvers for benign paroxysmal positional vertigo.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of this study was to evaluate the value of Visual Analog Scale (VAS) in evaluating vertigo and dizziness in patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

MATERIALS AND METHODS: 226 adult patients suffering from a BPPV and undergoing repositioning maneuvers were included in this prospective study. Vertigo (V) and dizziness (D) were separately evaluated from day 0 to 5 by VAS. V and D scores decreased both exponentially but with different constants. D scores were not correlated to V suggesting the independency of the ratings. D was related to the dizziness intensity level expressed at interrogation. Both D and V scores were related to patients' global satisfaction.

CONCLUSION: VAS allows differentiating vertigo from dizziness and provides coherent results with other clinical indicators.