Prevalence of Balance Disorder with Retinitis Pigmentosa

Hearing loss is the most representative symptom associated with retinitis pigmentosa (RP). But the rate of balance disorder (vertigo or dizziness) has never been reported in Japan. The prevalence of balance disorder and cochlear symptom (hearing loss and tinnitus) were evaluated by questionnaire in subjects who were registered members of the Japanese Retinitis Pigmentosa Society (n=3200) in the year 2002. 834 questionnaires were returned (26.1% response rate), and 828 subjects (25.9%) who had been diagnosed with RP by an ophthalmologist were included in the analysis.The prevalence of balance disorder and cochlear symptoms was 40.5% (n=335). Of 335 subjects with balance disorder, frequency of cochlear symptom and balance disorder only were 57% and 43%, respectively. Of 356 subjects with cochlear symptoms, balance disorder occurred in 56.5%. The prevalence of balance disorder in RP population was high and it was observed at all ages at onset of cochlear symptom and visual loss. We speculate that balance disorder with RP may be caused by vestibular dysfunction, visual dysfunction, and central brain disorder. In order to achieve accurate diagnosis of this disease, studies must be performed by cooperation between otologists and opthalmologists.