Introduction Studies have found that elderly patients with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) may present low levels of vitamin D (25 (OH) D), changes in bone mineral density, and diabetes mellitus (DM). Objective: To investigate the possible association between BPPV, bone mineral density, hypovitaminosis D, 25 (OH) D and DM. Methods The sample consisted of 109 elderly subjects. The BPPV was verified by a standardized questionnaire and the Dix-Hallpike maneuver. Blood samples were collected for the investigation of 25 (OH) D serum levels. The bone mineral density was evaluated by means of a densitometer. Diabetes mellitus verification was performed using a self-reported questionnaire. Results Of the 109 participants, 17 had BPPV. There was a statistically significant difference between BPPV and gender (p = 0.027, phi = 0.222), with female representing 88.2% of those with BPPV. In the group with BPPV, there was a statistically significant difference for the amount of vitamin D found (p = 0.001) and for age (p = 0.001). In the elderly group with DM and BPPV, a difference was found for the standard deviation of the femur (p = 0.022) with posthoc Dunn, identifying the difference between diabetics with and without BPPV (p = 0.047). Conclusion Although no association was found (25 (OH) D levels) with BPPV in the general population of this study, it was observed that there was an association with bone mineral density in the elderly group with DM and BPPV, and, in the group with BPPV, there was an association between the amount of vitamin D and age.

Objective: to verify, in the literature, a probable association of tinnitus with anxiety and depression in the elderly. Methods: a systematic review (through a search in the indexed databases - Lilacs, Scielo, Pubmed, Science Direct, The Cochrane Library) of studies published between 2013 and 2018, in Portuguese and in English, involving adults and/or elderly (18 years and older). The descriptors used were: “tinnitus", "depression", "anxiety", "adult", "elderly", interspersed by the Boolean operator AND. Results: 11 studies were selected, from which, 5 compared adults to elderly and only 2 evaluated such relationship in the elderly alone. Studies suggest that, as age increases, tinnitus severity and psychological symptoms also increase, affecting both men and women. Conclusion: few studies compared the relationship between the variables among the elderly. A probable association between the variables for both genders has been found, suggesting that the advancing age contributes to the increase of tinnitus severity and its psychological symptoms, affecting the quality of life of these individuals. Further studies are suggested to confirm the association between tinnitus, anxiety and depression in the elderly. Multi-professional work is important for the evaluation and treatment of these people.

Introduction Working conditions can contribute to the development of lifestyle-related diseases among teachers, including obesity and tinnitus. Describing tinnitus in relation to characteristics and comorbidities can help the treatment and prognosis of teachers affected by this symptom. Objective To verify a possible association between tinnitus complaint and body mass index (BMI) in teachers. Methods Cross-sectional study with a sample of teachers who responded to the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and to the Tinnitus Handicap Inventory (THI). The BMI (kg/m2) was calculated based on self-reported body weight (in kilograms) divided by height (in meters squared). Nonparametric statistics were applied adopting a significance level < 0.05 Results A total of 83 teachers were assessed, with a mean age 48 ± 9.7 years old; 63.9% (n= 53) were females; 44.6% were eutrophic (n = 37), and 16.9% (n = 14) were obese. Of the total, 19.3% (n = 16) reported tinnitus. No differences were found between the groups and BMI (p > 0.05), although there was a significant difference between the Tinnitus and No Tinnitus groups for age (p < 0.001). The chi-squared test showed an association between age group and tinnitus (p < 0.028); those with tinnitus were in the 49 to 65 years old age group. In addition, there was a moderate correlation between tinnitus parameters (VAS; THI-Functional; THI-Total) and BMI. Conclusion There was a moderate correlation between tinnitus parameters and BMI indicating that, as the BMI increased, so did the impact of tinnitus in the lives of the teachers. Body mass index should be considered a factor in tinnitus assessment and rehabilitation process.

Introduction Some studies have shown associations between sleep quality and dizziness. However, this association has not been investigated in teachers. Objective To verify a possible association between dizziness complaint and sleep quality in teachers. Methods Cross-sectional study developed with 96 school teachers (mean age of 47.8 ± 9.8 years). To assess dizziness, an audiological assessment was performed, which was the same one used in routine audiological care (Miller protocol). The dizziness handicap inventory (DHI) was applied to those individuals who reported dizziness. To evaluated sleep quality, the Pittsburgh sleep quality index was used. Results The prevalence of dizziness was 22.9% (n = 22). Of these, 77.3% (n = 17) were women, 63.6% (n = 14) demonstrated poor sleep quality, and 54.5% (n = 12) were young adults (27–48 years). In the comparison between the dizziness and the control groups, no statistically significant differences were found (p> 0.05). The analysis adjusted for the confounding variables showed a difference for men in the sleep efficiency variable (p = 0.043); young adults showed a statistically significant difference in the total score (p = 0.021) and total sleep time (p = 0.029). There was a moderate correlation between DHI and total time in bed (p = 0.036, r = 0.497) and DHI and sleep efficiency (p = 0.014; r = -0.582). Conclusion Dizziness influences the quality of sleep in teachers, especially that of the youngest and male patients. There was a moderate correlation between total time in bed, sleep efficiency, and DHI, demonstrating that sleep quality should be considered an important factor in the assessment and rehabilitation process of dizziness.