The Predictive Role of Neck Pain in Long-Term Dizziness-Related Disability: A Three-Year Cohort Study

The purpose of the study is to examine the relationship between neck pain and dizziness and to examine if neck pain is a predictor of dizziness-related disability, as measured by the Dizziness Handicap Inventory, over a three-year period. The main objective of this study was to determine whether neck pain at baseline could predict DHI scores at 6 months and 3 years. A secondary objective was to examine whether the relationship between neck pain and dizziness-related disability changes over time.

This longitudinal cohort study was conducted at a university ear, nose, and throat clinic. We included 237 participants (174 female) with dizziness. At baseline, participants reported whether they had experienced neck pain in the past 14 days (yes/no). DHI was assessed at baseline, 6 months, and 3 years. Neck pain at baseline was the primary independent variable, with age and gender as covariates. A mixed-effects linear regression model was used to analyze the data, accounting for repeated measures and the interaction between neck pain and time.

Neck pain was a significant predictor of higher DHI scores over the three-year period (β = 11.59, 95% CI [6.10, 17.07], p 0.001), indicating that individuals with neck pain experienced greater dizziness-related disability. Over time, DHI scores decreased significantly at 6 months (β = -6.85, 95% CI [-11.35, -2.34], p = 0.003) and 3 years (β = -12.95, 95% CI [-17.82, -8.09], p 0.001). However, the interaction between neck pain and time was not statistically significant, suggesting that the effect of neck pain on DHI scores did not change significantly over the follow-up period. Neither age (β = 0.004, p = 0.965) nor gender (β = 0.41, p = 0.880) were significant predictors of DHI scores.

Neck pain is a robust predictor of dizziness-related disability over a three-year period, independent of age and gender. Although DHI scores generally decreased over time, the impact of neck pain remained stable, underscoring its significant role in long-term dizziness-related outcomes.

These findings emphasize the importance of addressing neck pain in patients with dizziness. Physiotherapists and healthcare providers should prioritize interventions targeting neck pain to mitigate its long-term effects on dizziness. Future research should explore therapeutic strategies to manage neck pain and prevent dizziness-related disability, ultimately improving patient outcomes.