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. 2023 Sep 11;12(18):5903.
doi: 10.3390/jcm12185903.

Chronic Vestibular Hypofunction Is Associated with Impaired Sleep: Results from the DizzyReg Patient Registry

Benedict Katzenberger  1   2 , Fiona Brosch  1   2 , Stéphane Besnard  3   4 , Eva Grill  1   5
Affiliations

Chronic Vestibular Hypofunction Is Associated with Impaired Sleep: Results from the DizzyReg Patient Registry

Benedict Katzenberger et al. J Clin Med. .

Abstract

Temporary or permanent vestibular hypofunction has been hypothesized to affect circadian rhythm, sleep, and thermoregulation. Chronic or long-term vestibular disorders such as unilateral vestibular hypofunction may have an even greater negative impact on sleep quality than acute vestibular problems. This study examines self-reported sleep quality, as assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and its association with vestibular symptom duration in a group of patients with vestibular disorders. We used data from the cross-sectional DizzyReg patient registry of the German Center for Vertigo and Balance Disorders outpatient clinic. Vestibular diagnoses were ascertained based on the International Classification of Vestibular Disorders. A total of 137 patients were included (60% female, mean age 55.4 years, standard deviation, SD, 16.7). The mean PSQI total score was 6.3 (SD = 3.2), with 51% reporting overall poor sleep quality. Patients who had vertigo for two years or longer reported significantly poorer global sleep quality (63% vs. 37%, p = 0.021) and significantly more difficulties with sleep latency (79% vs. 56%, p = 0.013) and sleep efficiency (56% vs. 34%, p = 0.022). The association of poor sleep quality with a longer duration of vertigo remained significant after multivariable adjustment. Further research should investigate the interaction of vestibular disorders, sleep, and their potential mechanisms.

Keywords: balance; compensation; dizziness; pittsburgh sleep quality index; posture; sleep disorder; vertigo; vestibular hypofunction.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest. The funders had no role in the study’s design, in the collection, analyses, or interpretation of data, in the writing of the manuscript, or in the decision to publish the results.

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