Diagnostic accuracy of the vestibular activities and participation measure subscales to detect severe handicap in individuals with vestibular dysfunction

Introduction The subscales of the Vestibular Activities and Participation measure (VAP) assess the impact of vestibular dysfunction on activity and participation; however, no diagnostic accuracy studies have evaluated their ability to identify severe handicap in individuals with vestibular disorders. Objective To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of the VAP subscales in detecting severe handicap in individuals with vestibular dysfunction. Methods The diagnostic accuracy study included individuals with vestibular dysfunction who were ≥18 years. The diagnostic accuracy of the VAP subscales (VAP1-BR and VAP2-BR) was analyzed using Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curves, with the Dizziness Handicap Inventory serving as the reference test. The area under the curve (AUC), cutoff points, sensitivity, specificity, and 95% confidence intervals were determined. Statistical analysis was performed using MedCalc® software, with a significance level of p < 0.05. Results The VAP1-BR showed an AUC of 0.83 (95% CI: 0.744–0.899; p < 0.001), a cutoff point ≥9.37, sensitivity of 69%, and specificity of 84%. The VAP2-BR yielded an AUC of 0.80 (95% CI: 0.710–0.875; p < 0.001), a cutoff point ≥7.71, sensitivity of 68%, and specificity of 83%. Conclusion The VAP subscales adequately identify severe handicap in individuals with vestibular dysfunction.