The Basic Symptom Inventory–-53 and its Use in the Management of Patients with Psychogenic Dizziness

OBJECTIVE: To identify an accurate psychological screening questionnaire to assist in the management of patients with psychogenic dizziness.

STUDY DESIGN: Patients referred to the Balance Center of the University of Pennsylvania with a presumptive diagnosis of psychogenic dizziness based on neurotologic assessment were administered a Basic Symptom Inventory–-53 (BSI–-53) psychological screening questionnaire and were referred for psychiatric assessment. Neither the patients nor the psychiatrist were aware of the results of the BSI–-53. The results of the neurotologic assessment, the BSI–-53, and the psychiatric assessment were then compared for their degree of association.

RESULTS: Strong associations were demonstrated between the results of the BSI–−53 questionnaire and the results of the neurotologic and psychiatric assessments.

CONCLUSIONS: The BSI–-53 is an easily administered, objective, and accurate tool useful in identifying the presence of psychopathology in patients thought to have psychogenic dizziness. It is recommended as a valuable addition to the battery of tests performed when evaluating the dizzy patient.