Affiliations: [a] Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Lund, Sweden
| [b] Dalby Healthcare Center, Dalby, Sweden
| [c] Department of Hand Surgery, Skåne University Hospital, Malmö, Sweden
| [d] Unit of Intervention and Implementation Research for Worker Health, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| [e] Department of Neurology, Rehabilitation Medicine, Memory Disorders and Geriatrics, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
| [f] Ear-Nose and Throat Department, Skåne University Hospital, Lund, Sweden
Correspondence:
[*]
Corresponding author: Elin Östlind, Department of Health Sciences, Lund University, Box 157, 221 00 Lund, Sweden. Tel.:
+46(0)733 44 30 05; E-mail: Elin.ostlind@med.lu.se.
Abstract: BACKGROUND:Dizziness is a common symptom in post-COVID condition (PCC) which may have a large impact on several life domains. However, knowledge on dizziness-severity and disability in PCC is sparse. OBJECTIVE:The aim was to describe the severity of dizziness-related disability in individuals with PCC, and how it is manifested in daily life. METHODS:A questionnaire regarding symptoms of PCC, health, and dizziness-related handicap was administered online, and 524 persons with PCC and dizziness were included. RESULTS:Mean score of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory was 35.2 (24.0) and 51.8%, were classified as having moderate/severe dizziness-related disability. The percentage of maximum value for the subscales were: Physical manifestation, 48%, Emotional Impact, 36% and Catastrophic Impact, 17%. The greatest influence on physical movements was when bending forward, head shaking or doing strenuous physical activities or household chores. CONCLUSIONS:Half had moderate or severe dizziness-related disability and the physical manifestations occurred mostly during specific or strenuous body movements. This indicate a vestibular impairment that may be effectively managed with vestibular rehabilitation. Assessment and treatment of dizziness might be an essential part in PCC rehabilitation and future research should continue to explore the potential causal pathways of dizziness in PCC.
Keywords: Post-covid condition, dizziness, dizziness-related disability, activities of daily living
