Abstract:
The aim of the present study was to investigate adverse effects of head injury, neck
trauma, and chronic noise exposure on the complaint profile in people with Ménière’s disease (MD).
The study used a retrospective design. Register data of 912 patients with MD from the Finnish
Ménière Federation database were studied. The data comprised case histories of traumatic brain
injury (TBI), neck trauma and occupational noise exposure, MD specific complaints, impact related
questions, and the E-Qol health-related quality of life instrument. TBI was classified based on
mild, moderate, and severe categories of transient loss of consciousness (TLoC). The mean age of
the participants was 60.2 years, the mean duration of the disease was 12.6 years, and 78.7% were
females. Logistic regression analysis, linear correlation, and pairwise comparisons were used in
evaluating the associations. 19.2% of the participants with MD had a history of TBI. The phenotype
of participants with TBI was associated with frequent vestibular drop attacks (VDA), presyncope,
headache-associated vertigo, and a reduction in the E-QoL. Logistic regression analysis explained the
variability of mild TBI in 6.8%. A history of neck trauma was present in 10.8% of the participants.
Neck trauma associated with vertigo (NTwV) was seen in 47 and not associated with vertigo in
52 participants. The phenotype of NTwV was associated with balance problems, VDA, physical
strain-induced vertigo, and hyperacusia. Logistic regression analysis explained 8.7% of the variability
of the complaint profile. Occupational noise exposure was recorded in 25.4% of the participants and
correlated with the greater impact of tinnitus, hyperacusis, and hearing loss. Neither the frequency,
duration, or severity of vertigo or nausea were significantly different between the baseline group
and the TBI, NTwV, or noise-exposure groups. The results indicate that TBI and NTwV are common
among MD patients and may cause a confounder effect.
