The influence of headaches in patients with chronic dizziness.

Conclusion: The frequency of headaches in patients complaining of chronic dizziness is closely related to the severity of the dizziness impairments and mood states, such as anxiety. It is, therefore, important to treat co-morbid headache in patients with chronic dizziness. The severity of the dizziness impairments and other mood states, including anxiety, did not differ between patients with migraine or non-migraine headaches.

Objectives: Patients with chronic dizziness often complain of headaches or general fatigue. This study investigated the influence of the frequency of headaches on dizziness impairments, anxiety, quality-of-life, and other mood states in patients with chronic dizziness.

Method: The subjects consisted of 100 consecutive patients with intractable dizziness. Several types of questionnaires were used in the investigations.

Results: Of the 85 patients, 51 had either type of headache (tension headache, 38; migraine, 13). The total score on the Dizziness Handicap Inventory correlated linearly with general fatigue (R = 0.39, p < 0.001) and headache (R = 0.25, p < 0.05). The patients with any type of headache had a significantly more positive family history of headache (p < 0.05).