Hui-Ping Luo1,2, Tong-Li Ren1, Ran Zhang1, Jun-Qin Jie3, Xiao-Le Song1, Yong-Peng Li4, Yi-Bo Huang5,6, Xin-Da Xu7,8. 1. ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China. 2. The Therapy Center of Sleep-Disordered Breathing, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 201112, China. 3. Medical Affair Department, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China. 4. Department of Otolaryngology, Liuzhou People's Hospital, Guangxi Medical University, Guangxi, 545006, China. 5. ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China. huangyibo@fudan.edu.cn. 6. NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China. huangyibo@fudan.edu.cn. 7. ENT Institute and Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China. drxuxinda@163.com. 8. NHC Key Laboratory of Hearing Medicine Research, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200031, China. drxuxinda@163.com.
Abstract
PURPOSE: To assess awareness and recognition of vestibular function tests in otorhinolaryngology medical staffs, especially the vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) testing in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). METHODS: A survey was delivered via either email or a social media app. The medical staffs of the Chinese Medical Association of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery from various branches were enrolled. Study data were collected and managed with an online data collection tool. RESULTS: A total of 1781 emails and 623 social media messages were sent to 2404 otorhinolaryngology medical staffs. One hundred and fifty-seven of them participated in the survey, including 24 via emails and 133 via the social media app. Regarding the knowledge of VEMP, only 59 (37.6%) of them agreed that OSA could be related to vertigo/dizziness/imbalance and 28 (17.8%) believed that OSA could result in VEMP abnormalities and would factor this in diagnosing the impairment of the vestibular function of OSA patients. A total of 7.6% of the respondents had never heard of the VEMP tests. Responses regarding the minimum age at which VEMP are possible ranged from younger than 6 months to greater than 18 years of age. Beliefs regarding the utility and reliability of VEMP varied, with 'unsure' being the most frequent response. In addition, only 17.8% of otolaryngologists indicated some access to the VEMP test. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge and beliefs about the role of VEMP in diagnosing otolithic organ dysfunction caused by OSA in otorhinolaryngology vary widely. It is important for otorhinolaryngology medical staffs to learn the latest literatures and updated knowledge through continuing education.
PURPOSE: To assess awareness and recognition of vestibular function tests in otorhinolaryngology medical staffs, especially the vestibular evoked myogenic potentials (VEMP) testing in patients with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). METHODS: A survey was delivered via either email or a social media app. The medical staffs of the Chinese Medical Association of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery from various branches were enrolled. Study data were collected and managed with an online data collection tool. RESULTS: A total of 1781 emails and 623 social media messages were sent to 2404 otorhinolaryngology medical staffs. One hundred and fifty-seven of them participated in the survey, including 24 via emails and 133 via the social media app. Regarding the knowledge of VEMP, only 59 (37.6%) of them agreed that OSA could be related to vertigo/dizziness/imbalance and 28 (17.8%) believed that OSA could result in VEMP abnormalities and would factor this in diagnosing the impairment of the vestibular function of OSA patients. A total of 7.6% of the respondents had never heard of the VEMP tests. Responses regarding the minimum age at which VEMP are possible ranged from younger than 6 months to greater than 18 years of age. Beliefs regarding the utility and reliability of VEMP varied, with 'unsure' being the most frequent response. In addition, only 17.8% of otolaryngologists indicated some access to the VEMP test. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge and beliefs about the role of VEMP in diagnosing otolithic organ dysfunction caused by OSA in otorhinolaryngology vary widely. It is important for otorhinolaryngology medical staffs to learn the latest literatures and updated knowledge through continuing education.
Authors: Tianxi Gao; Qing Zhang; Jin Hou; Kang Zhu; Bin Sun; Jingguo Chen; Cui Xia; Xiaoyong Ren; Ying Cheng; Zhenghui Wang Journal: J Int Med Res Date: 2020-03 Impact factor: 1.671