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Health and Quality of Life Outcomes
Published in: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes 1/2021

Open Access 01-12-2021 | Research

Dizziness and health-related quality of life among older adults in an urban population: a cross-sectional study

Authors: Ellen Lindell, Lena Kollén, Mia Johansson, Therese Karlsson, Lina Rydén, Madeleine Mellqvist Fässberg, Hanna Falk Erhag, Ingmar Skoog, Caterina Finizia

Published in: Health and Quality of Life Outcomes | Issue 1/2021

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Abstract

Background

Dizziness is a common complaint among older adults and may affect quality of life in a negative way. The aim of this study was to assess health-related quality of life (HRQL), sense of coherence (SOC), self-rated health (SRH) and comorbidity in relation to dizziness, among older persons from an urban population.

Methods

The study is part of the Gothenburg H70 Birth Cohort Studies (H70). A cross-sectional population-based sample including 662 79-years-olds (404 women, 258 men, 62% response rate) were surveyed with questions regarding dizziness, imbalance, comorbidities and general health. HRQL was assessed using the 36-item Short Form-36 Health Survey (SF-36) and SOC with the 13-items questionnaire Sense of Coherence (SOC-13).

Results

Half of the participants reported problems with dizziness (54%). Dizziness was negatively associated with HRQL, including after adjusting for comorbidities, especially in the physical domains of SF-36. Having dizziness was also associated with poorer SRH, tiredness and comorbidity among both men and women. SOC (mean total score), however, did not differ between dizzy and non-dizzy participants.

Conclusions

Dizziness was negatively associated with HRQL, also after adjusting for comorbidities. Identification and treatment of dizziness, when possible, are important because reduction of dizziness symptoms may potentially help to enhance overall well-being in this age group.
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Metadata
Title
Dizziness and health-related quality of life among older adults in an urban population: a cross-sectional study
Authors
Ellen Lindell
Lena Kollén
Mia Johansson
Therese Karlsson
Lina Rydén
Madeleine Mellqvist Fässberg
Hanna Falk Erhag
Ingmar Skoog
Caterina Finizia
Publication date
01-12-2021
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Health and Quality of Life Outcomes / Issue 1/2021
Electronic ISSN: 1477-7525
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s12955-021-01864-z

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