梅尼埃病确切的发病率和患病率尚不明确。一项来自美国明尼苏达州罗切斯特的研究显示,经计算,发病率为15.3/100 000人,患病率为218/100 000人。[4]Wladislavosky-Waserman P, Facer GW, Mokri B, et al. Meniere's disease: a 30-year epidemiologic and clinical study in Rochester, MN, 1951-1980. Laryngoscope. 1984;94:1098-1102.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/6611471?tool=bestpractice.com来自美国之外的地区的数据显示梅尼埃病发病率为4.3-100/100 000人。[2]da Costa SS, de Sousa LC, Piza MR. Meniere's disease: overview, epidemiology, and natural history. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2002;35:455-495.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12486835?tool=bestpractice.com
本病多见于成年人,儿童也可发病,多于40岁左右起病。[2]da Costa SS, de Sousa LC, Piza MR. Meniere's disease: overview, epidemiology, and natural history. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2002;35:455-495.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12486835?tool=bestpractice.com未报告明显的种族差异,约 50% 的确诊患者有梅尼埃病家族史。[5]Paparella MM. Pathogenesis and pathophysiology of Meniere's disease. Acta Otolaryngol Suppl. 1991;485:26-35.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1843169?tool=bestpractice.com在女性中稍微更常见,女性与男性的比例为 1.1:1。[2]da Costa SS, de Sousa LC, Piza MR. Meniere's disease: overview, epidemiology, and natural history. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2002;35:455-495.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12486835?tool=bestpractice.com
既往文献中,双侧发病者约2%-73%。[6]Huppert D, Strupp M, Brandt T. Long-term course of Menière's disease revisited. Acta Otolaryngol. 2010;130:644-651.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20001444?tool=bestpractice.com也有研究显示,梅尼埃病患者两耳相继发病者可能高达50%。[2]da Costa SS, de Sousa LC, Piza MR. Meniere's disease: overview, epidemiology, and natural history. Otolaryngol Clin North Am. 2002;35:455-495.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12486835?tool=bestpractice.com[5]Paparella MM. Pathogenesis and pathophysiology of Meniere's disease. Acta Otolaryngol Suppl. 1991;485:26-35.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1843169?tool=bestpractice.com10%以上单侧患者,经过检查会发现双侧耳病变。[7]Conlon BJ, Gibson WP. Meniere's disease: the incidence of hydrops in the contralateral asymptomatic ear. Laryngoscope. 1999;109:1800-1802.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10569410?tool=bestpractice.com