Il valore prognostico dello stile di vita nelle patologie vestibolari

The Prognostic Value of Lifestyle in Vestibular Disorders

Autori

Mariani Caterina Emma (Milan, Italy)

Lolli Lara Rita (Milan, Italy)

Introduction

Every year, about 20% of the population experiences a sensation of instability, mostly caused by otological issues. Central vertigo results from a lesion in the vestibular pathways at the level of the brainstem nuclei, the cerebellum, the thalamus, or the cortex, and is associated with neurological deficits. In peripheral vertigo, nausea and vomiting are usually the predominant symptoms, while balance deficits are less severe. All these conditions cause various disturbances for patients, limiting their social participation and daily activities, mainly due to the high risk of falling. Therefore, it is crucial in a rehabilitation program to consider the factors associated with different pathologies for a comprehensive approach and better functional outcomes for the patient.

Methods

This research aims to identify the factors, both modifiable and non-modifiable, that define the lifestyle of individuals who develop a vestibular disorder, which may have contributed to the onset of the disease or its more-or-less favorable resolution. Recognizing the environmental and lifestyle factors responsible for these changes can lead to the development of strategies to reduce the number of new cases. 

The review includes studies conducted on adults (>18 years) between 2003 and 2023. Two search strings were created based on the PEO to use in the PubMed and Google Scholar databases, yielding 29 articles compatible with the inclusion criteria. The identified articles were screened, and relevant full texts were assessed for the risk of bias using the AMSTAR 2 scale for secondary studies, PeDRO for randomized controlled trials, CASP for cohort studies, and JBI for cross-sectional studies.

Results

The article analysis revealed that certain lifestyle elements influence the onset and prognosis of vestibular disorders. Psychological disorders and coping strategies, diet and allergies, physical activity, fear of movement, BMI, and some chronic comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, and osteoporosis are all factors to consider in the context of a vestibular disorder.

Discussion and Conclusion

It is necessary to further investigate in this direction to define the impact of certain aspects more objectively in this field and the underlying mechanisms. In any case, recognizing the contribution of environmental factors and lifestyle in general to the development or prognosis of vestibular disorders can open new rehabilitation horizons. This approach could foster collaboration among different professionals for a comprehensive management of these individuals.

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