PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Alina Smirnova
AU  - Stephanie H Bell
AU  - C Shawn Tracy
AU  - Ross EG Upshur
TI  - Still dizzy after all these years: a 90-year-old woman with a 54-year history of dizziness
AID  - 10.1136/bcr.05.2011.4247
DP  - 2011 Sep 15
TA  - BMJ Case Reports
PG  - bcr0520114247
VI  - 2011
4099  - http://casereports.bmj.com/content/2011/bcr.05.2011.4247.short
4100  - http://casereports.bmj.com/content/2011/bcr.05.2011.4247.full
AB  - This report presents the case of a 90-year-old female with a 54-year history of dizziness, which has been exhaustively investigated. Over the years, the patient made 59 visits to her family doctor and 18 visits to various specialists, as well as emergency department visits and hospitalisations. In detailing the exhaustive investigations and referrals that the patient has undergone over many years (with inconclusive results), this case illustrates the myriad challenges in diagnosing and treating chronic dizziness in the older. The authors suggest that, in complex cases characterised by multimorbidity and polypharmacy, a function-oriented approach is indicated. In place of the conventional ‘diagnose and treat’ model, a functional approach to ongoing care emphasises the symptom management, improvement of function and quality of life. To optimise patient outcomes, an interprofessional team approach is preferred.