Yahia F. Hussein Al-Hadeethi

Yahia F. Hussein Al-Hadeethi

International Islamic University, Malaysia

Title: Effects of Betahistine on Vestibulo-Ocular Reflex in Normal Healthy Adults: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial

Abstract

Vertigo, or the perception of a spinning sensation, is a common symptom experienced by patients who are referred to Otorhinolaryngology clinics. Betahistine is a medication that has been widely used to treat vertigo and its accompanying symptoms. However, the effects of this medication on the vestibulo-ocular reflex (VOR) are still unknown. Initially, it was assumed that Betahistine should be discontinued prior to any vestibular tests, particularly the video head impulse test (vHIT). Thirty young healthy adults were randomly divided into two equal groups for this randomized double-blind clinical study (Betahistine 24 mg and placebo). Baseline pure-tone audiometry (PTA), tympanometry, and VOR measurements were taken, followed by experimental measurements at one hour, four hours, eight hours, and 24 hours after consumption. The video head impulse test (vHIT) was used to determine the VOR. Betahistine had no statistically significant effect on vestibulo-ocular reflex gain (F (4,140) = 0.601, p = 0.662). The gain variability across repetitive head impulses remained constant over time. This suggests that Betahistine has no effect on the vestibulo-ocular reflex. As a result, this medication can be taken prior to the vHIT procedure.

Biography

Dr. Yahia Al-Hadeethi graduated from Al-Mustanseryya Medical College, Iraq in 2003 with MBChB and later completed his ORL-HNS specialty studies in Universiti Sains Malaysia in 2012. He is currently an Assistant Professor of ORL-HNS in the Kulliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic University Malaysia and a Senior Consultant in the Department of ENT at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Medical Centre in Kuantan, Malaysia. His areas of interest are balance disorders and vertigo.