Vestibular Loss: Investigating Its Prevalence, Risk Factors, Genetic Contributors, and Impact on Quality of Life

The vestibular system is responsible for maintaining balance, spatial orientation, and coordination of eye and head movements. Vestibular loss (VL), even partial, can have debilitating effects on balance, spatial orientation, and overall well-being. This research aims to investigate the prevalence of VL, explore its associated risk factors and genetic contributors, and evaluate its impact on quality of life and life satisfaction. Using Lifelines data on dizziness and falls as proxies for VL we will analyze its overall prevalence and variation across different socio-demographic groups. We will explore associations between VL and various comorbidities, lifestyle factors, and environmental influences through regression analyses. To investigate genetic contributions, we will assess the heritability of dizziness and falls using the Lifelines family data and conduct a genome-wide association study to identify genetic variants linked to VL. Finally, we will evaluate the impact of VL on quality of life and life satisfaction. These findings aim to improve our understanding of VL and inform strategies for improved prevention and treatment.