Hypertension in the elderly

Prevalence of Persistent Tinnitus and Dizziness in an Elderly Population in Southern Taiwan

OBJECTIVES

Tinnitus and dizziness are common among the elderly. The conditions may increase depression, and patients may become susceptible to falls, thereby affecting the quality of life of the geriatric population. Investigating the prevalence of persistent tinnitus and chronic/recurrent dizziness in an elderly population and analyzing the association of certain comorbidities with tinnitus and dizziness in southern Taiwan were the main purposes of this study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study performed in a metropolitan hospital. Hearing tests were conducted in a total of 597 volunteers aged ≥65 years involving 322 (53.9%) men and 275 (46.1%) women recruited in the study. The pure tone average (PTA) and hearing handicap (HH) score were calculated. Patients completed questionnaires regarding the history of hypertension and diabetes and symptoms of tinnitus and dizziness. The association of gender, age, PTA/HH, body mass index (BMI), hypertension, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome (MetS) with tinnitus and dizziness were analyzed.

RESULTS

The prevalence of persistent tinnitus and chronic/recurrent dizziness was 32.0% and 24.1%, respectively. Tinnitus or dizziness were not associated with age, BMI, hypertension, diabetes, and MetS but was associated with hearing impairment. Women and those with fasting glucose levels <100 mg/dL were more likely to experience dizziness.

CONCLUSION

Persistent tinnitus and dizziness were common in an elderly population in southern Taiwan. These findings may help develop strategies to promote the quality of life in the elderly population.

Early interferon-based treatment after detection of persistent hepatitis C virus infection: a critical decision

Approximately 170 million people are infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) worldwide. Infection with this pathogen is persistent in more than 80% of cases, frequently developing severe forms of liver damage such as cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. No preventive vaccine is available against HCV, and current treatment based on the combination of pegylated interferon and ribavirin is effective in ∼55% of patients infected with genotype 1, the most prevalent genotype. This review analyzes several factors influencing the achievement of a sustained virological response, namely undetectable HCV RNA at 6 months after conclusion of therapy. Particularly, the relevant issue of age and duration of infection is discussed in detail. Indeed, the final decision for starting treatment should be a case-by-case point. However, the cost-benefit analysis seems to indicate that in patients who are motivated and without contraindications, starting the treatment as early as possible is probably the best choice for success.