Epidemiology, Health Care Utilization, and Employment Status in Ménière Disease: A Danish Register-based Cohort Study From 1995 to 2019

OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of comorbidities, treatment regimens, and employment status before, during, and after getting diagnosed with Ménière disease.

BACKGROUND: Ménière's disease is an inner ear disorder characterized by recurrent episodes of vertigo, hearing loss, tinnitus or aural fullness. Previous studies have reported an overlap between Ménière's disease and various comorbid conditions. Moreover, the unpredictable nature of vertigo attacks may substantially affect some patients' ability to maintain employment.

METHODS: This register-study utilized multiple Danish national health registers. Newly diagnosed patients with Ménière disease were identified in the Danish National Patient Register using ICD10 code H810 and matched 1:4 with controls based on sex, age, municipality, grouped index year, and civil status. The main outcome measures included health care utilization in primary care and secondary care, differences in comorbidities, and differences in employment status in relation to the diagnosis of Ménière disease. Commonly used treatments for Ménière disease were also visualized.

RESULTS: A total of 7106 patients with Ménière disease were identified, 54% females. The mean age at diagnosis was 60 years. Patients had more health care visits to general practitioners, ENT specialists, and psychologists than controls. Conditional logistic regression analyses showed statistically significant higher odds of migraine, depression, anxiety, and receiving sickness benefits or disability pension for Ménière disease.

CONCLUSION: Patients with Ménière disease exhibit significantly higher odds of migraine, depression, and anxiety compared with a control group. Patients with Ménière disease have significantly higher odds of being on sickness benefits or disability pensions relative to a control group. These findings underscore the importance of a multidisciplinary approach in the management of patients with Ménière disease.