MODERN APPROACHES TO DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF VERTEBRAL ARTERY SYNDROME WITH CONSIDERATION OF GENDER

The study results allowed analysis of clinical, cognitive, psycho-emotional, and autonomic dysfunction in patients with vertebral artery syndrome (VAS), taking into account gender, disease stage, and psychotype. Women exhibited more pronounced cognitive and psycho-emotional impairments, with higher levels of anxiety and depression compared to men, whereas men primarily demonstrated motor and hemodynamic disturbances. On the functional stage (Group 1), mild to moderate dizziness was more common, while on the organic stage (Group 2), severe dizziness, pain syndrome, and neck disability index (NDI) scores were significantly higher (p<0.01). Analysis of PAQ and COMPASS-31 scales revealed gender role and autonomic symptom differences, with the sympathetic component and total scores in the feminine psychotype being 1.16–1.24 times higher than in men (p<0.05). These findings emphasize the importance of individualized diagnostic and rehabilitation strategies for VAS patients, considering gender, disease stage, and psychotype.