Identifying predictors of persistent post-earthquake dizziness among adolescents after the 2023 earthquakes in Türkiye: A cross-sectional, multicenter study

The impacts of earthquakes on the mental health of individuals have been well-documented. Additionally, individuals frequently report experiencing dizziness akin to seasickness or carsickness. This phenomenon, termed “post-earthquake dizziness syndrome” (PEDS), has garnered increasing attention due to its unclear etiology. This study investigates the prevalence and predictors of ongoing PEDS within an adolescent population more than one year after the 2023 Kahramanmaraş earthquakes. This cross-sectional study was conducted between April 2024 and June 2024 across five cities officially designated as an “earthquake zone” by relevant authorities. The sample comprised 551 adolescents aged 11 to 18 years who were recruited from child psychiatry outpatient clinics within these cities. 402 participants (73.0 %) reported experiencing PEDS following the earthquake, while 105 (19.1 %) reported ongoing PEDS. Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that higher trait anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms, as well as being located on a higher floor during the earthquake, were positively correlated with the persistence of PEDS symptoms. The findings underscore the potential association between PEDS and psychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and PTSD. However, the underlying mechanisms of PEDS remain elusive, requiring further research to elucidate the links between PEDS and psychiatric conditions for more effective treatment strategies.