Assessment Of Depression, Anxiety, Stress And Cognitive Functions In Patients Of Vertigo; A Case- Control Study

Abstract

Background: Earlier studies reported that there is a coexistence of vestibular disorders and psychological distress.
Objectives: The present study was undertaken to observe the levels of depression, anxiety and stress, and cognition in vertigo patients
and to compare them with healthy controls.
Materials and methods: The present study was a case-control study. A total of 80 male and female vertigo patients were part of the
study after obtaining written informed consent. 80 Age and gender-matched healthy controls were also recruited in the study. The
following criteria were used in recruiting the cases. Depression, anxiety, and stress were assessed using the standard scale DASS 21.
Cognitive functions were assessed using spatial and verbal memory tests.
Results: There were significantly higher levels of depression scores in the cases when compared with controls (P<0.0001). There were
significantly higher levels of anxiety scores in the cases when compared with controls (P<0.0001). There were significantly higher
levels of stress scores in the cases when compared with controls (P<0.0001). There were significantly lower levels of spatial memory
scores in the cases when compared with controls (P<0.0001). There were significantly lower levels of verbal memory scores in the
cases when compared with controls (P<0.0001).
Conclusion: The present study results explain that there were higher levels of depression, anxiety, and stress in patients with vertigo.
At the same time, their cognitive functions were adversely affected due to this vestibular disorder. It is the need of time to consider
these psychological and cognitive parameters also while diagnosing and management of vertigo.