[Posturographic alterations in thinner abusers].
INTRODUCTION: Abuse of thinner is a recognized problem in underdeveloped countries, because is in increasing frequency and results in neurological impairments. OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study is to describe the posturographic alterations present in a group of thinner abusers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Thirty patients were recruited from a toxicology center and controls were non exposed subjects age and gender matched; 28 males and 2 females in each group. Posturographic recordings were performed blind to group to study Sensory Organization (SO): visual, somatosensory and vestibular ratios and Strategy Analyses. RESULTS: In SO somatosensory, visual and vestibular systems showed lower values in the thinner abusers group (p= 0.003, 0.0007 and 0.000001 respectively). Significant negative correlation were disclosed between duration of thinner exposure and vestibular ratio performance in sensory analysis (r= 0.48, p= 0.01). In strategy analyses, visual (p= 0.005) and vestibular strategy (p= 0.02) also showed lower values in the thinner abusers group. CONCLUSIONS: Data from this study show that thinner abusers present posturographic alterations related to chronic thinner consumption.