Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2023 Jun 6;7(2):e58.
doi: 10.1002/oto2.58. eCollection 2023 Apr-Jun.

Balance Disorder Trends in US Adults 2008-2016: Epidemiology and Functional Impact

Margaret B Mitchell  1 , Neil Bhattacharyya  1
Affiliations

Balance Disorder Trends in US Adults 2008-2016: Epidemiology and Functional Impact

Margaret B Mitchell et al. OTO Open. .

Abstract

Objective: To quantify the changes in prevalence and impact of dizziness and balance disorders in adults from 2008 to 2016.

Study design: Epidemiological survey analysis.

Setting: United States.

Methods: The balance modules of the adult 2008 and 2016 National Health Interview Surveys were examined, and persons reporting dizziness or balance problems identified. The prevalence of balance problems was determined and compared over time, adjusting for age and sex. Among those with balance problems, associated symptoms and self-reported functional limitations were quantified and compared over time.

Results: In 2016, 36.8 ± 1.0 million (15.5% ± 0.3%) adults reported a balance problem in the past year, versus 24.2 ± 0.7 million (11.% ± 0.3%) in 2008 (p < .001). After adjustment for age and sex, this percentage increase remained significant (odds ratio 1.435 [1.332-1.546], p < .001). Among those with balance problems, significantly more patients reported specific issues with feeling: off-balance (69.4% vs. 65.4%; p = .005), faint (48.5% vs. 40.3%; p < .001), or vertiginous (45.9% vs. 39.3%; p < .001) in 2016 than 2008. More adults experienced anxiety (29.4% vs. 19.4%; p < .001) and depression (16.3% vs. 12.9%; p = .002) with their balance problems in 2016 than in 2008. In 2016, adults with balance problems were limited in ability to drive motor vehicles (13.0%), exercise (14.4%), or walk downstairs (12.8%). These rates were not significantly different from 2008 (all p > .05).

Conclusion: In this nationally representative analysis, we found a significantly increasing prevalence of balance problems and associated psychiatric symptom burden. This merits attention with respect to present and future health care resource allocation.

Keywords: anxiety; balance disorder; depression; dizziness; epidemiology; vertigo.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

None.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Number of adults reporting balance problem, 2008 versus 2016.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Percent of adults reporting balance problem, 2008 versus 2016.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

References

    1. Newman‐Toker DE, Cannon LM, Stofferahn ME, Rothman RE, Hsieh YH, Zee DS. Imprecision in patient reports of dizziness symptom quality: a cross‐sectional study conducted in an acute care setting. Mayo Clin Proc. 2007;82(11):1329‐1340. 10.4065/82.11.1329 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Sloane PD. Dizziness in primary care. Results from the National Ambulatory Medical Care Survey. J Fam Pract. 1989;29(1):33‐38. - PubMed
    1. Kruschinski C, Kersting M, Breull A, Kochen MM, Koschack J, Hummers‐Pradier E. Diagnosehäufigkeiten und Verordnungen bei Schwindel im Patientenkollektiv einer hausärztlichen Routinedatenbank. Z Evid Fortbild Qual Gesundhwes. 2008;102(5):313‐319. 10.1016/j.zefq.2008.05.001 - DOI - PubMed
    1. Newman‐Toker DE, Hsieh YH, Camargo CA, Pelletier AJ, Butchy GT, Edlow JA. Spectrum of dizziness visits to US Emergency Departments: cross‐sectional analysis from a nationally representative sample. Mayo Clin Proc. 2008;83(7):765‐775. 10.4065/83.7.765 - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Roberts DS, Lin HW, Bhattacharyya N. Health care practice patterns for balance disorders in the elderly. Laryngoscope. 2013;123:2539‐2543. 10.1002/lary.24087 - DOI - PubMed