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Otology/Neurotology

Rise of Vertigo and Tinnitus Consultations During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Monday, October 2, 2023
8:18 AM - 8:24 AM East Coast USA Time
Location: 104BC

    Presenting Author(s)

  • Daniel Sehayek, BSc, MD

    Resident
    Laval University
    Montreal, QC, Canada

    • Co-Author(s)

  • AA

    Ayden Aboud, N/A

    Université de Montréal, USA

  • Issam Saliba, MD, FRCSC

    Professor of Otology, Neurotology & skull base surgery
    University of Montreal Hospital Center (CHUM)
    Montreal, QC, Canada

  • JS

    Joe Saliba, MD

    Assistant Professor, Neurotology and Skull Base Surgery
    University of Montreal Hospital Center
    Montreal, QC, Canada

    • Senior Author(s)

  • JS

    Joe Saliba, MD

    Assistant Professor, Neurotology and Skull Base Surgery
    University of Montreal Hospital Center
    Montreal, QC, Canada

Disclosure(s):
Daniel Sehayek, BSc, MD: No relevant relationships to disclose.
Issam Saliba, MD, FRCSC: No relevant relationships to disclose.
Introduction: COVID-19 has been linked to vertigo, tinnitus, and possibly facial paralysis; however, recent studies have also suggested that anxiety associated with the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbates audiovestibular symptoms. Therefore, our study aimed to compare the relative proportion of vertigo, tinnitus, and Bell’s palsy consultations before and during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Methods: Our retrospective chart review study analyzed consultations in Otolaryngology from the “Centre de repartition des demandes de services”. Main reason of consultations for vertigo, tinnitus, and Bell’s palsy were identified and then further categorized as either pre-pandemic (January 2019 to February 2020) or pandemic (March 2020 to December 2021). The differences between proportions or means were used to compare the number of consultations for each symptom pre-pandemic and during the pandemic. Significance of corresponding differences between proportions and means was evaluated using 95% confidence intervals.

Results: Among the 8428 consultations pre-pandemic, 1534 (18.2%) were for vertigo, 1284 (15.2%) were for tinnitus, and 37 (0.44%) were for Bell’s palsy. During the pandemic, there were 6166 consultations, of which 2264 (36.7%) were for vertigo, 1830 (29.7%) were for tinnitus, and 66 (1.1%) were for Bell’s palsy. There was a significant increase in referrals for vertigo and tinnitus during the pandemic (18.5%; 95%CI 17.0%, 20.0% for vertigo and 14.5%; 95%CI 13.1%, 15.2%for tinnitus). Referrals for Bell’s palsy had a statistical but not clinically significant increase (0.66%, 95% CI 0.32%, 0.94%). We noted a reduction in vertigo and tinnitus referrals later in the pandemic (end of 2021) compared to 2020.

Conclusions: The rise in vertigo and tinnitus consultations may result from COVID-19 infection and COVID-19-induced anxiety. The decrease in vertigo and tinnitus consultations further into the pandemic may be due to fewer COVID-19 infections, acquired anxiety coping skills, and reduced social restrictions. Moreover, the rise in Bell’s palsy consultations during the pandemic suggests a possible link with COVID-19 infection.