Achados otoneurológicos em indivíduos com cervicalgia de uma unidade de saúde em Curitiba-PR

Abstract

Introduction: This study concerns the observation of otoneurological findings in subjects with neck pain. Postural balance is maintained by both viscoelastic properties of muscles and postural adjustments triggered by visual, vestibular and somatosensory information. Therefore, dysfunction in the cervical region may cause changes in proprioceptors functioning, triggering symptoms such as dizziness and imbalance. Objective: To analyze the vestibular and audiological findings in subjects with neck pain. Material and Methods: It was assessed 33 subjects with neck pain, aged between 50 to 83 years, referred by Ouvidor Pardinho Health Unit Curitiba / PR to Speech Therapy Clinic of Universidade Tuiuti do Paraná, being 27 (81.82%) females and six (18.18%) males. Following procedures were used: otoneurological history, pure tone and vocal audiometry, acoustic impedance and vectoelectronystagmography. The study was approved by Ethics Committee. Results: Most evident otoneurological symptom was dizziness (75.76%) and most frequently reported clinical symptom were related to cardiovascular system (69.70%), endocrine and metabolic systems (48.48%) and rheumatic system (30.30%). Excessive consumption of alcohol, tobacco and/or coffee was reported by five (15.15%) participants. It was found proportional differences for dizziness in individuals with hearing complaints (p = 0.0245) and dizziness in patients with tinnitus (p = 0.0133). Hearing loss occurred in 90.91%, with a higher prevalence of sensorineural hearing loss. Vestibular assessment showed normal prevalence (60.61%), followed by peripheral vestibular system impairment, with a prevalence of irritative peripheral vestibular dysfunction (30.30%). Conclusion: In patients with neck pain the most prevalent otoneurological symptoms were dizziness, and the most frequent reported clinical symptoms were related to cardiovascular, endocrinemetabolic and rheumatic systems. It was found proportional differences for dizziness in individuals with hearing complaints and dizziness in patients with tinnitus. The most frequent type of hearing loss was sensorineural and prevailed normality in the vestibular assessment.