The Dizzy Patient: Consider a Second Diagnosis

Abstract

Background: Many patients with dizziness complain about >1 type of dizziness and therefore there may be ≥2 coexisting diagnoses.

Objective: To determine how often a second or third diagnosis is present in a patient with dizziness and to establish what are the most common combinations of diagnoses.

Study design: Prospective, observational study in a tertiary center.

Results: A consecutive cohort of 621 patients was included in the study. In 187 patients (30.1%) a second diagnosis was present. Within this group a third diagnosis was present in 35 (5.6%) patients. The most common second diagnosis was an anxiety disorder (50.1%).

Conclusions: Patients with dizziness frequently present themselves with >1 type of dizziness caused by 2 or 3 different diseases. In our study 30% of patients with dizziness have >1 diagnosis. Anxiety disorder is the most common second diagnosis.