Auditory, video head impulse test and vestibular evoked myogenic potentials findings in adults with human immunodeficiency virus

Vestibular Impairments on Objective Diagnostic Tests in HIV+ Women and Control Men and Women

OBJECTIVE

To describe the value of two vestibular test batteries across ages in healthy men and women for detecting vestibular disorders and to compare the occurrence of vestibular disorders in the healthy adult population and women with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease.

STUDY DESIGN

Two groups were tested on the battery of objective diagnostic tests of the vestibular system.

SETTING

Two tertiary care centers.

SUBJECTS

Healthy controls (284 women and 105 men) and women (63) with HIV/AIDS (HIV+) who are being followed up in a longitudinal study of HIV. They were tested on objective diagnostic tests of the vestibular system.

RESULTS

In all age decades, healthy controls had evidence of vestibular impairment, significantly more in older adults. HIV+ subjects, all females, did not differ from healthy control females.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that at all ages, people do have decreased vestibular function, even young, asymptomatic, and apparently healthy adults. HIV disease, itself, does not cause an increased prevalence of peripheral vestibular disorders when HIV is controlled on antiretroviral medication.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

2 Laryngoscope, 131:E2318-E2322, 2021.