Dizziness Presentations in U.S. Emergency Departments, 1995–2004

Objectives: The objectives were to describe presentation characteristics and health care utilization information pertaining to dizziness presentations in U.S. emergency departments (EDs) from 1995 through 2004. Methods: From the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS), patient visits to EDs for “vertigo‐dizziness” were identified. Sample data were weighted to produce nationally representative estimates. Patient characteristics, diagnoses, and health care utilization information were obtained. Trends over time were assessed using weighted least squares regression analysis. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to control for the influence of age on the probability of a vertigo‐dizziness visit during the study time period. Results: Vertigo‐dizziness presentations accounted for 2.5% (95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.4% to 2.6%) of all ED presentations during this 10‐year period. From 1995 to 2004, the rate of visits for vertigo‐dizziness increased by 37% and demonstrated a significant linear trend (p