Dizziness is very common, but it is never normal. Dizziness can make performing daily activities, work, and walking difficult. Inner ear balance problems can make people dizzy when they turn their head, which can cause problems during walking and make people more likely to fall. Most of the time dizziness is not from a life-threatening disease. Often, dizziness is related to a problem of the vestibular (or inner ear balance) system. Vestibular disorders can be caused by infections in the ear, problems with the immune system, medications that harm the inner ear, and rarely from diabetes or stroke because of a lack of blood flow to the inner ear. Stress, poor sleep, migraine headaches, overdoing some activities, and feeling anxious or sad can increase symptoms of dizziness. Updated guidelines for the treatment of inner ear disorders are published in this issue of the Journal of Neurologic Physical Therapy. The guideline recommends which exercises are best to treat the dizziness and balance problems commonly seen with an inner ear problem.

Purpose: To determine whether symptoms of dizziness and fall rates change due to routine cataract surgery and to determine the influence of visual and refractive factors on these common problems in older adults. Methods: Self-reported dizziness and falls were determined in 287 subjects (mean age of 76.5±6.3 years, 55% females) before and after routine cataract surgery for the first (81, 28%), second (109, 38%) and both eyes (97, 34%). Six-month falls rates were determined using self-reported retrospective data. Dizziness was determined using the short-form of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory. Results: The number of patients with dizziness reduced significantly after cataract surgery (52% vs. 38%; χ2 = 19.14 , p<0.001), but the reduction in number of patients who fell in the 6-months post surgery was not significant (23% vs. 20%; χ2= 0.87, p=0.35). Multivariate logistic regression analyses found significant links between post-operative falls and change in spectacle type (increased risk if switched into multifocal spectacles). Post-operative dizziness was associated with changes in best eye visual acuity and changes in oblique astigmatic correction. Conclusions: Dizziness is significantly reduced by cataract surgery and this is linked with improvements in best eye visual acuity, although changes in oblique astigmatic correction increased dizziness. The lack of improvement in falls rate may be associated with switching into multifocal spectacle wear after surgery. / The Dunhill Medical Trust

Dizziness is a common, multifactorial problem that causes reductions in quality of life and is a major risk factor for falls, but the role of vision is a very under-researched area. This study aimed to investigate any link between dizziness and vision and to establish if changes in spectacle lens correction could elicit dizziness symptoms. A link between dizziness and self-reported poor vision was indicated in the epidemiological literature as shown by a systematic review, provided lightheadedness was not included in the definition of dizziness. Cases of individuals who reported vision-related dizziness were investigated to determine potential areas of research for this thesis and subsequently two studies investigated the effects of refractive correction changes on dizziness status. The first study was limited by logistical problems, although it highlighted limitations in the short form of the Dizziness Handicap Inventory that was used to quantify dizziness. Results of an optometry practice recheck study found that oblique cylindrical changes were significantly more likely to be associated with dizziness symptoms than other spectacle lens changes. It also highlighted that optometrists do not ask/record about dizziness symptoms with only 4% of records including “dizziness” as a problem when 38% of patients reported dizziness symptoms when directly asked. All studies highlighted a need for a patient-reported outcome measure to be designed to assess vision-related dizziness. Literature review, interviews with experts and patients and focus groups led to the development of a pilot questionnaire and subsequently a 25-item Vision-Related Dizziness instrument, the VRD-25. This was validated using responses from 223 respondents, with 79 participants completing the questionnaire a second time to provide test-retest data. Two subscales of VRD-12-frequency (VRD-12f) and VRD-13-severity (VRD-13s) were shown to be unidimensional and had good psychometric properties, convergent validity and test-retest repeatability. The VRD-25 is the only patient-reported outcome measure developed to date to assess vision related dizziness and will hopefully provide the platform to further grow this under-researched area that seems likely to provide important clinical information. / College of Optometrists sponsored the research with a Postgraduate Research Scholarship

Objetivo: avaliar as diferenças estruturais e funcionais entre o cérebro de pacientes com tontura postural-perceptual persistente (TPPP) e controles. Método: o estudo foi aprovado pela comissão de ética local. As voluntárias deram consentimento formal. 16 mulheres com TPPP (44.7±8.3 anos) e 16 controles (46.5±8.5 anos) foram pareadas por sexo e idade. Imagens de ressonância magnética funcional (RMf) e estrutural foram adquiridas utilizando sistema 3.0 T durante a visibilização de figuras padronizadas do International Affective Pictures System (IAPS) com valência negativa, positiva e neutra. Realizou-se análise estrutural segmentar e volumétrica com o programa Freesurfer e funcional com o FSL (FMRIB Software Library) usando correção fatia-tempo e de movimento, suavização espacial (5mm FWHM), e normalização no espaço standard MNI (Montreal Neurological Institute). O modelo linear geral (GLM) incluiu regressores por grupo e condições. Adotou-se um limiar de Z = 3.09 (p < 0.001) para cada vóxel, e um nível de significância para correção de clusters de p < 0.05. O Z=2.3 foi utilizado na comparação entre grupos. Resultados: o grupo com TPPP apresentou ativação na região do córtex cingulado anterior na diferença entre contrastes positivos e negativos por queda de sinal na visibilização de estímulos negativos; enquanto o grupo controle teve efeito BOLD (Blood Oxygen Level Dependent) positivo na região amigdaliana bilateralmente na diferença entre contrastes negativos e positivos. Houve ativação em giro angular esquerdo na diferença entre contrastes negativos e positivos e entre grupos (pacientes > controles). Conclusão: ativação em região amigdaliana em resposta a estímulos negativos em relação aos positivos é frequentemente encontrada em pacientes com ansiedade e síndrome do estresse pós-traumático, mas não foi vista no nosso grupo com TPPP, só no controle. Por outro lado, o grupo com TPPP mostrou desativação da região do córtex cingulado anterior, um modelo descrito em algumas, mas não em todas as disfunções ansiosas, e não identificado no grupo controle. Além disto, o efeito BOLD positivo na região do giro angular esquerdo, área não inclusa no sistema límbico, com múltiplas funções, dentre elas a orientação espacial, indicam que mais trabalhos são necessários para elucidar o mecanismo cerebral da TPPP / Objectives: evaluate structural and functional differences in brain among patients with postural perceptual persistent dizziness (PPPD) and controls. Method: The study was approved by local IRB, and volunteers gave their informed consent. Sixteen women with PPPD (44.7 ± 8.3 years-old) were compared to 16 controls (46.5 ± 8.5 years-old) matched by age and gender. Structural and functional brain images were acquired in a 3.0T MRI system while subjects were presented with pictures from a standard reference (International Affective Pictures System - IAPS) with positive, neutral and negative emotional valence stimuli. Structural images were analysed in Freesurfer program and fMRI images in FSL (FMRIB Software Library) using slice-time and motion correction, spatial smoothing (5mm FWHM), and normalized images into MNI standard space. The GLM model included regressors for groups and conditions. A threshold Z-score = 3.09 (p < 0.001) was used for each voxel, and was adopted the correction by clusters at a p < 0.05 significance level. A Z-score = 2.3 was used for comparison between groups. Results: the PPPD group showed increased brain response at anterior cingulate cortex when comparing [positive > negative] stimuli as a result of deactivation during negative stimuli, whereas the control group had positive BOLD when comparing [negative > positive] stimuli at amigdala region in both sides. PPPD group had increased brain response when comparing [negative>positive] stimuli and [patients > controls] in the left angular gyrus. Conclusion: The amygdala region activation in control group in response to negative than positive stimuli is a pattern often found in patients with anxiety and traumatic stress but not was seen in our patient group. In contrast, they showed deactivation of the anterior cingulate cortex in response to negative stimuli, a pattern found in some, but not all anxiety disorders, and not identified in the control group. Otherwise, the positive BOLD in angular gyrus, brain area not included in limbic system, with multiple functions, including spatial orientation, indicate that more work is needed to elucidate brain mechanisms underlying PPPD

Objetivo: avaliar as diferenças estruturais e funcionais entre o cérebro de pacientes com tontura postural-perceptual persistente (TPPP) e controles. Método: o estudo foi aprovado pela comissão de ética local. As voluntárias deram consentimento formal. 16 mulheres com TPPP (44.7±8.3 anos) e 16 controles (46.5±8.5 anos) foram pareadas por sexo e idade. Imagens de ressonância magnética funcional (RMf) e estrutural foram adquiridas utilizando sistema 3.0 T durante a visibilização de figuras padronizadas do International Affective Pictures System (IAPS) com valência negativa, positiva e neutra. Realizou-se análise estrutural segmentar e volumétrica com o programa Freesurfer e funcional com o FSL (FMRIB Software Library) usando correção fatia-tempo e de movimento, suavização espacial (5mm FWHM), e normalização no espaço standard MNI (Montreal Neurological Institute). O modelo linear geral (GLM) incluiu regressores por grupo e condições. Adotou-se um limiar de Z = 3.09 (p < 0.001) para cada vóxel, e um nível de significância para correção de clusters de p < 0.05. O Z=2.3 foi utilizado na comparação entre grupos. Resultados: o grupo com TPPP apresentou ativação na região do córtex cingulado anterior na diferença entre contrastes positivos e negativos por queda de sinal na visibilização de estímulos negativos; enquanto o grupo controle teve efeito BOLD (Blood Oxygen Level Dependent) positivo na região amigdaliana bilateralmente na diferença entre contrastes negativos e positivos. Houve ativação em giro angular esquerdo na diferença entre contrastes negativos e positivos e entre grupos (pacientes > controles). Conclusão: ativação em região amigdaliana em resposta a estímulos negativos em relação aos positivos é frequentemente encontrada em pacientes com ansiedade e síndrome do estresse pós-traumático, mas não foi vista no nosso grupo com TPPP, só no controle. Por outro lado, o grupo com TPPP mostrou desativação da região do córtex cingulado anterior, um modelo descrito em algumas, mas não em todas as disfunções ansiosas, e não identificado no grupo controle. Além disto, o efeito BOLD positivo na região do giro angular esquerdo, área não inclusa no sistema límbico, com múltiplas funções, dentre elas a orientação espacial, indicam que mais trabalhos são necessários para elucidar o mecanismo cerebral da TPPP / Objectives: evaluate structural and functional differences in brain among patients with postural perceptual persistent dizziness (PPPD) and controls. Method: The study was approved by local IRB, and volunteers gave their informed consent. Sixteen women with PPPD (44.7 ± 8.3 years-old) were compared to 16 controls (46.5 ± 8.5 years-old) matched by age and gender. Structural and functional brain images were acquired in a 3.0T MRI system while subjects were presented with pictures from a standard reference (International Affective Pictures System - IAPS) with positive, neutral and negative emotional valence stimuli. Structural images were analysed in Freesurfer program and fMRI images in FSL (FMRIB Software Library) using slice-time and motion correction, spatial smoothing (5mm FWHM), and normalized images into MNI standard space. The GLM model included regressors for groups and conditions. A threshold Z-score = 3.09 (p < 0.001) was used for each voxel, and was adopted the correction by clusters at a p < 0.05 significance level. A Z-score = 2.3 was used for comparison between groups. Results: the PPPD group showed increased brain response at anterior cingulate cortex when comparing [positive > negative] stimuli as a result of deactivation during negative stimuli, whereas the control group had positive BOLD when comparing [negative > positive] stimuli at amigdala region in both sides. PPPD group had increased brain response when comparing [negative>positive] stimuli and [patients > controls] in the left angular gyrus. Conclusion: The amygdala region activation in control group in response to negative than positive stimuli is a pattern often found in patients with anxiety and traumatic stress but not was seen in our patient group. In contrast, they showed deactivation of the anterior cingulate cortex in response to negative stimuli, a pattern found in some, but not all anxiety disorders, and not identified in the control group. Otherwise, the positive BOLD in angular gyrus, brain area not included in limbic system, with multiple functions, including spatial orientation, indicate that more work is needed to elucidate brain mechanisms underlying PPPD

Introdução: O déficit de equilíbrio tem grande impacto na vida do indivíduo idoso, gera instabilidade, muitas vezes incapacitante, restrição de movimento, predisposição a quedas e fraturas. Tais fatores podem levar ao aumento da morbimortalidade, diminuição da independência e altos custos com tratamentos, internações e cuidados especiais, para as famílias e para a sociedade. Objetivo: Analisar a prevalência de alteração do equilíbrio corporal, investigar as características (demográficas, de saúde, antropométricas e de estilo de vida) e fatores associados ao déficit de equilíbrio, sua associação com o auto-relato de presença de tontura ou vertigem, bem como avaliar a influência do equilíbrio nos desfechos clínicos adversos e estimar a taxa de incidência no período 2006-2010. Material e método: Este estudo epidemiológico transversal, de base populacional domiciliar, desenvolvido no âmbito do Estudo SABE, na cidade de São Paulo, avaliou os idosos que em 2006 fizeram o Teste de Equilíbrio. Os dados obtidos foram analisados de forma descritiva e pelos modelos de regressão logística linear simples e múltiplo. Resultados: Entre os 1226 idosos avaliados, 83,7 por cento tiveram a pontuação máxima no teste. Idade, história de fratura, dificuldade em pelo menos uma mobilidade, declínio cognitivo, episódio de queda nos últimos 12 meses exerceram significativa influência no desempenho do equilíbrio e as associações foram estatisticamente significativa (p<0,05). A atividade física e o uso de bloqueadores de canal de cálcio mostraram-se como fatores que aumentam o desempenho no teste. O aumento de um ponto no Teste de Equilíbrio reduz em 27 por cento a chance do idoso ter sido internado no ano anterior, além de redução de 18 por cento de queda no mesmo período. Conclusão: Entre os idosos, medidas objetivas de desempenho no Teste de Equilíbrio foram superiores ao auto-relato de presença de tontura ou vertigem e podem fornecer informações sobre o estado funcional que não são obtidas a partir de medidas auto-referidas. As medidas de equilíbrio se mostraram preditivas de internação hospitalar - aqueles idosos que apresentam melhor equilíbrio têm menor probabilidade de serem internados. / Introduction: Balance disorder has great impact on the lives of the elderly, causing instability, often disabling, movement restriction and predisposition to falls and fractures. These factors may lead to increased morbimortality, decreased independence and costly treatments, hospitalizations and special care imposed on families and society. Objective: This study aims to analyze the prevalence of alterations in body balance and investigates the characteristics (demographic, health, anthropometric and lifestyle issues) and factors related to balance disorder as well as its association with self-reported presence of dizziness/vertigo. It also investigates the influence of balance in adverse clinical outcomes and estimates the incidence rate in the 2006-2010 period. Methods: This epidemiological cross-sectional population-based research, developed under SABE Study in São Paulo, evaluated the elderly who undertook the Balance Test in 2006. The data were analyzed descriptively and according to multiple and simple linear logistic regression models. Results: From a total of 1,226 elderly individuals evaluated, 83.7 per cent achieved the highest score on the test. Factors such as age, fracture history, difficulty in at least one mobility, cognitive decline and fall episode in the previous year had major influence on the balance performance and associations were statistically significant (p<0.05). Physical activity and use of calcium channel blockers were identified as factors that improved thperformance on the test. An increase by one point in the Balance Test reduces by 27 per cent the chances of the individual having been hospitalized in the previous year. Conclusion: Among the elderly, objective measures of performance on the Balance Test were higher than self-reported incidence of dizziness or vertigo and can provide information on functional status that is not obtained from self-reported measures. Balance measures proved to be predictive of hospitalization elderly individuals who have better balance are less likely to be hospitalized

Made available in DSpace on 2014-12-17T15:43:49Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 LidianeMBMF_DISSERT.pdf: 3767124 bytes, checksum: cfd0a539259485f1e7035a06b32592ab (MD5) Previous issue date: 2013-03-25 / the institutionalized elderly presents for being more fragile a lot of body balance s changes, which can induce falls and health frailty. One of the consequences of it is the appearance of dizziness, vestibular or not. This study aims to identify the risk factors related to dizziness in institutionalized elderly, with and without vestibular disorders, in the city of Natal-RN. Method: a case-control study realized in 12 regulated by Health Surveillance Long Term Care Institutions for the elderly in Natal-RN. Elected seniors with good cognitive level and able to walk, totaling 115 individuals, and of these, 102 were selected according to the presence of dizziness in the last year (n = 51) and their controls (n = 51), paired by sex and age. The 51 elderly patients with dizziness were divided into 3 groups case: case one, for elderly with dizziness and without vestibulopathy (n=38); case two, for elderly with dizziness and vestibulopathy (n=13) and case three, for all the seniors with dizziness, or added to the case 1 case 2 (n=51). The 51 seniors who served as controls were also divided into three groups, according to the number of individuals of each case: control 1, n = 38, control 2, n = 13 control and 3 (sum of 1 control with control 2), n = 51. As possible risk factors were analyzed variables related to characteristics of the institution, to the habits of life of older people and those concerned with the health of the elderly. For statistical analysis, we used the chi-square or Fisher exact test for a significance level of 5% and calculating the association magnitude between variables by measuring the Odds Ratio. Results: as risk factors for dizziness without vestibular disorders were found the presence of hypertension and cardiovascular disease, as well as the presence of three or more disorders for elderly and use of gastric protector drugs. For the elderly group from case two were found no associated risk factor. For elderly patients with dizziness in the case group three, we observed the same risk factors found for the elderly in the case group one, plus the presence of osteoarthritis pathology, which was also significant for this group. Conclusion: dizziness in institutionalized elderly is associated with systemic common diseases in this age group and the vestibulopathy presents itself as pathology on an isolated way, not being possible, with our data, associate it with non-risk factors / O idoso institucionalizado apresenta, por ser mais fr?gil, v?rias altera??es do equil?brio corporal, podendo levar a quedas e debilidade de sua sa?de. Uma das consequ?ncias disto ? o surgimento do sintoma tontura, que pode ser de origem vestibular ou n?o. Este trabalho tem o objetivo de identificar os fatores de risco relacionados com tontura em idosos institucionalizados, vestibulopatas e n?o-vestibulopatas, na cidade do Natal-RN. M?todo: trata-se de um estudo caso-controle realizado nas 12 Institui??es de longa perman?ncia para idosos de Natal-RN, regulamentadas pela Vigil?ncia Sanit?ria. Foram eleitos os idosos com bom n?vel cognitivo e capazes de deambular, totalizando 115 indiv?duos, e destes, foram selecionados 102 de acordo com a presen?a da queixa de tontura no ?ltimo ano (n=51) e os respectivos controles (n=51), emparelhados por sexo e idade. Os 51 idosos com queixa de tontura foram divididos em 3 grupos caso: caso 1, para idosos com tontura e sem vestibulopatia (n=38); caso 2, para idosos com tontura e com vestibulopatia (n=13) e caso 3, para todos os idosos com tontura, ou seja, caso 1 somado ao caso 2 (n=51). Os 51 idosos que serviram de controle foram tamb?m divididos em tr?s grupos, seguindo o n?mero de indiv?duos de cada caso: controle 1, n=38; controle 2, n=13 e controle 3 (soma do controle 1 com o controle 2), n=51. Como poss?veis fatores de risco, foram analisadas vari?veis referentes a caracter?sticas da institui??o, aos h?bitos de vida dos idosos e as relacionadas com a sa?de dos idosos. Para a an?lise estat?stica, utilizou-se o teste do Qui-quadrado ou exato de Fisher para um n?vel de signific?ncia de 5% e c?lculo da magnitude da associa??o entre as vari?veis, atrav?s da medida da OddsRatio. Resultados: como fatores de risco para tontura sem vestibulopatia, foram achados a presen?a de hipertens?o arterial sist?mica e doen?a cardiovascular, assim como a presen?a de 3 ou mais patologias por idoso e o uso de medicamentos protetores g?stricos. Para os idosos do grupo caso 2, n?o foi encontrado nenhum fator de risco associado. Para os idosos com tontura pertencentes ao grupo caso 3, foram observados os mesmos fatores de risco encontrados para os idosos do grupo caso 1, acrescido da presen?a da patologia osteoartrose, que tamb?m se mostrou significativa para este grupo. Conclus?o: a tontura no idoso institucionalizado est? associada a doen?as sist?micas comuns nesta faixa et?ria, e a vestibulopatia apresenta-se como patologia de forma isolada, n?o sendo poss?vel com os dados deste estudo associ?-la a nenhum fator de risco

Abstract available through Physical Therapy.

Dizziness and balance problems are common symptoms at all ages. The aims were; to evaluate rehabilitation, static, dynamic balance and recovery in acute unilateral vestibular loss (AUVL), to evaluate the treatment of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) with assessment of static and dynamic balance and to evaluate the prevalence of dizziness and BPPV in a population of 75-year-olds. Study 1: Twenty-seven patients (51years) with AUVL were included and the recovery was followed regarding vestibular function, dizziness, and sick-leave. The recovery was rapid, with disappearance of spontaneous nystagmus and rapid return to work. Study II: Forty two patents (51 years) with AUVL were included and compared with a reference group. Static and dynamic balance were assessed after six months. Significant instability was found both in static and dynamic balance compared to a reference group. Study III: Seventeen patients (52 years) with severe BPPV (&gt; 3 months) were treated with Semonts´s manouver and/or Brandt-Daroff exercises. The recovery was evaluated by Dix-Hallpike test, subjective dizziness, unsteadiness and balance tests, after 1, 6 and 12 months. Semont´s maneouver resolved dizziness but the long term follow up showed impaired balance. Study IV: A large cohort (675) of elderly was assessed regarding dizziness and BPPV. Side lying test and balance tests were applied. A high prevalence of dizziness (36%) and BPPV (11%) was found. Conclusions: Patients with AUVL and BPPV have despite good symptomatic relief, still impaired static and dynamic balance at long term follow up. BPPV in elderly is common and should be examined since it can be treated.

Introdução: O déficit de equilíbrio tem grande impacto na vida do indivíduo idoso, gera instabilidade, muitas vezes incapacitante, restrição de movimento, predisposição a quedas e fraturas. Tais fatores podem levar ao aumento da morbimortalidade, diminuição da independência e altos custos com tratamentos, internações e cuidados especiais, para as famílias e para a sociedade. Objetivo: Analisar a prevalência de alteração do equilíbrio corporal, investigar as características (demográficas, de saúde, antropométricas e de estilo de vida) e fatores associados ao déficit de equilíbrio, sua associação com o auto-relato de presença de tontura ou vertigem, bem como avaliar a influência do equilíbrio nos desfechos clínicos adversos e estimar a taxa de incidência no período 2006-2010. Material e método: Este estudo epidemiológico transversal, de base populacional domiciliar, desenvolvido no âmbito do Estudo SABE, na cidade de São Paulo, avaliou os idosos que em 2006 fizeram o Teste de Equilíbrio. Os dados obtidos foram analisados de forma descritiva e pelos modelos de regressão logística linear simples e múltiplo. Resultados: Entre os 1226 idosos avaliados, 83,7 por cento tiveram a pontuação máxima no teste. Idade, história de fratura, dificuldade em pelo menos uma mobilidade, declínio cognitivo, episódio de queda nos últimos 12 meses exerceram significativa influência no desempenho do equilíbrio e as associações foram estatisticamente significativa (p<0,05). A atividade física e o uso de bloqueadores de canal de cálcio mostraram-se como fatores que aumentam o desempenho no teste. O aumento de um ponto no Teste de Equilíbrio reduz em 27 por cento a chance do idoso ter sido internado no ano anterior, além de redução de 18 por cento de queda no mesmo período. Conclusão: Entre os idosos, medidas objetivas de desempenho no Teste de Equilíbrio foram superiores ao auto-relato de presença de tontura ou vertigem e podem fornecer informações sobre o estado funcional que não são obtidas a partir de medidas auto-referidas. As medidas de equilíbrio se mostraram preditivas de internação hospitalar - aqueles idosos que apresentam melhor equilíbrio têm menor probabilidade de serem internados. / Introduction: Balance disorder has great impact on the lives of the elderly, causing instability, often disabling, movement restriction and predisposition to falls and fractures. These factors may lead to increased morbimortality, decreased independence and costly treatments, hospitalizations and special care imposed on families and society. Objective: This study aims to analyze the prevalence of alterations in body balance and investigates the characteristics (demographic, health, anthropometric and lifestyle issues) and factors related to balance disorder as well as its association with self-reported presence of dizziness/vertigo. It also investigates the influence of balance in adverse clinical outcomes and estimates the incidence rate in the 2006-2010 period. Methods: This epidemiological cross-sectional population-based research, developed under SABE Study in São Paulo, evaluated the elderly who undertook the Balance Test in 2006. The data were analyzed descriptively and according to multiple and simple linear logistic regression models. Results: From a total of 1,226 elderly individuals evaluated, 83.7 per cent achieved the highest score on the test. Factors such as age, fracture history, difficulty in at least one mobility, cognitive decline and fall episode in the previous year had major influence on the balance performance and associations were statistically significant (p<0.05). Physical activity and use of calcium channel blockers were identified as factors that improved thperformance on the test. An increase by one point in the Balance Test reduces by 27 per cent the chances of the individual having been hospitalized in the previous year. Conclusion: Among the elderly, objective measures of performance on the Balance Test were higher than self-reported incidence of dizziness or vertigo and can provide information on functional status that is not obtained from self-reported measures. Balance measures proved to be predictive of hospitalization elderly individuals who have better balance are less likely to be hospitalized