Comprehensive Evaluation in Patients With Meniere's Disease

Investigation of the Physical and Psychosocial Status and Quality of Life of People With Meniere's Disease

The aim of our study is to determine the severity of the disease in people with Meniere's Disease; physical conditions such as balance, posture, pain, physical activity level, neck joint range of motion, proprioception; to examine psychosocial conditions such as depression, anxiety, sleep quality, fatigue, and quality of life and to make a comprehensive evaluation by comparing it with healthy volunteers.

Meniere's disease (MD) is an inner ear disease characterized by independent attacks and lasting for at least 20 minutes, dizziness, recurrent hearing loss during seizures, tinnitus, fullness in the ear, and a feeling of headache. After the diagnosis of the disease, the most disturbing situation for the patient is the uncertainty of the progression of the disease and the deterioration of the quality of life. It is very difficult to know and predict how the disease will progress. Quality of life is impaired by current symptoms and may be further reduced by uncertainty about when another attack may occur and activity restriction due to fear of provoking symptoms with exertion or stress.

When the studies on MD are examined, it is seen that the symptoms affect not only certain physical conditions but also psychological conditions. It has been observed that psychological factors play a more important role than is commonly realized in terms of their impact on patients' quality of life. MD has a negative impact on the person's daily life, and the person avoids certain daily activities or situations because of the illness. Looking at the literature, it is not known whether the severity of disease symptoms or whether the psychological state precedes the physical state.

In light of all this information, MD appears to be a multifaceted condition that can have major and often alarming effects on the lives of affected individuals. Therefore, it is important to evaluate individuals with MD with a holistic approach.

The aim of our study is to determine the severity of the disease in people with Meniere's Disease; physical conditions such as balance, posture, pain, physical activity level, neck joint range of motion, proprioception; to examine psychosocial conditions such as depression, anxiety, sleep quality, fatigue, and quality of life and to make a comprehensive evaluation by comparing it with healthy volunteers.

Study group Inclusion Criteria:

• Having been diagnosed with Meniere's disease as a result of clinical and audiological evaluation by an ENT specialist
• ability to read and write
• be between the ages of 18-65
• Not having an acute attack and not receiving acute attack treatment during the study period,
• Having given consent to participate in the study as a result of the information
• A minimum score of 24 on the Mini Mental Test (MMDT)

Study group Exclusion Criteria:

• Known neurological disease (head trauma, spinal trauma, multiple sclerosis, intracranial tumor, etc.) Having an anatomical problem or disease related to the outer and middle ear
• Peripheral and central vestibular pathology other than Meniere's disease
• Sensorineural hearing loss due to other causes
• Other neurological, orthopedic, circulatory system or vision problems that may cause vertigo, dizziness and balance disorder

Control group Inclusion Criteria:

• ability to read and write
• be between the ages of 18-65
• Not having an acute attack and not receiving acute attack treatment during the study period,
• Having given consent to participate in the study as a result of the information
• A minimum score of 24 on the Mini Mental Test (MMDT)
• without vertigo

Control group Exclusion Criteria:

• suffering from vertigo
• Known neurological disease (head trauma, spinal trauma, multiple sclerosis, intracranial tumor, etc.) Having an anatomical problem or disease related to the outer and middle ear
• Peripheral and central vestibular pathology other than Meniere's disease
• Sensorineural hearing loss due to other causes
• Other neurological, orthopedic, circulatory system or vision problems that may cause vertigo, dizziness and balance disorder