Investigation of the physical and psychosocial status and quality of life of people with Meniere's disease

This study was planned to investigate the physical and psychosocial conditions and quality of life of people with Meniere's disease. Seventeen volunteer patients diagnosed with Meniere's disease and followed up at H.U. Faculty of Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation, H.U. Faculty of Medicine, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, and H.U. Adult Hospital Audiology Unit and 17 healthy subjects participated in the study. Audiologic status, physical status [cervical range of motion (ROM), cervical joint position sense (CPP), temporomandibular (TMJ) ROM, posture, postural control, balance, presence and severity of pain, pain sensitivity, physical activity level and muscle performance], psychosocial status (sleep quality, fatigue severity, anxiety/depression, general fear of falling) and quality of life were evaluated. Cervical ROM and EPH were assessed with the Cervical Range of Motion device; TMJ ROM with a ruler; posture with the New York posture analysis; anterior head tilt with photography; postural control with the Freemed baropodometer platform; static balance with the tandem posture test; dynamic balance with the tandem gait test; pain presence and intensity with a numerical rating scale; pain sensitivity with algometry and palpation; and physical activity level with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-short form. In addition, sleep quality was assessed with the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, fatigue severity with the Fatigue Severity Scale, anxiety and depression levels with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, general fear of falling with the International Falls Efficacy Scale, and quality of life with the SF-12 questionnaire. In addition, severity of illness assessment questionnaires (Tinnitus Disability Scale, Dizziness Disability Inventory, Vertigo Symptom Scale Short Form, Hearing Disability Scale, International Fall Efficacy Scale at the Time of Attack) were administered only to the study group. At the end of our study, it was found that cervical ROM, cervical EPH, temporomandibular ROM, postural posture, postural control, balance, muscle strength and endurance, physical activity level and physical quality of life were worse, pain sensitivity, anxiety-depression level and general fear of falling were higher and sleep quality was worse in the study group compared to the control group (p<0.05). In addition, it was determined that there was a negative correlation between the increase in the severity of clinical symptoms and both physical and psychosocial conditions and quality of life in the study group (p<0.05). With these findings, it was concluded that Meniere's disease has multifaceted and negative effects on the quality of life of individuals. With our study, it was revealed that the symptoms of individuals with Meniere's disease are not limited to physical parameters, the psychosocial status of individuals is also affected and their quality of life decreases, and the importance of evaluating individuals with Meniere's disease from a biopsychosocial perspective with a holistic approach was emphasized.