Climatic Variations as Indicators of Vitamin D Levels and Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Abstract

To investigate the possible correlation between benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), seasonality, and climatic variations as indicators of vitamin D deficiency, since otoconia are calcium carbonate crystals. MethodsThis is a study of patients who received the diagnosis of BPPV from September 2015 to August 2019. Gender, age, and month of diagnosis were factors recorded and analyzed. The cut-off age of 50 years is used to include osteoporotic patients and postmenopausal women. Meteorological and climatic data of latitude, temperature, sunshine hours, humidity, precipitation, wind force, atmospheric pressure, and horizontal solar irradiance were collected. ResultsFour hundred and eighty-five patients were included in the study; 206 were male (42%) and 279 were female (58%). The mean age was 57.8±15.4 and 54.9±13.9, respectively; 192 patients were ≤50 years old (121 female and 71 male) and 293 patients were over 50 years old (135 male and 158 female). A statistical significance in seasonal variation during autumn months was demonstrated (p-value= 5.2 e-05, z-statistic: 9.8164). There was no statistical correlation between the median number of BPPV patients and the median sunshine hours per month, horizontal solar irradiance, or other climatic variables. ConclusionsOur study demonstrates seasonality in BPPV patients in Greece but no correlation between BPPV and climatic variations as a proxy for Vitamin-D levels was documented.

Seasonal variation in peripheral vestibular disorders based on Korean population data

“…The seasonal variation in BPPV has been investigated in several studies 9–14,16 ; however, significant differences were not found based on month or season in our previous single‐center study 3 . Seasonal variation in BPPV was not observed in a population‐based study in Germany 1 .…”

“…There have been several studies about the seasonal variation in peripheral vestibular disorders. 1 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 , 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 Most studies about seasonal variation in peripheral vestibular disorders have focused on BPPV, followed by VN and MD. Seasonal variation in MD has been reported in only a few studies.…”

“…There might be differences in the incidence of these diseases according to season in association with etiologies. There have been several studies about the seasonal variation in peripheral vestibular disorders 1,3–6,8–17 . Most studies about seasonal variation in peripheral vestibular disorders have focused on BPPV, followed by VN and MD.…”

Association between vitamin D deficiency and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) incidence and recurrence: a systematic review and meta-analysis

“…In countries within the Northern Hemisphere, vitamin D levels fluctuate in a seasonal pattern-serum vitamin D levels are highest within the population of these countries during summer months and lowest during winter and spring, when there is a high prevalence of vitamin deficiency. 14 15 BPPV may also exhibit a seasonal pattern, with higher incidence rates seen between autumn and early spring, [16][17][18] although this has not been replicated in every study. 19 20 This systematic review will examine the evidence concerning the relationship between serum vitamin D and BPPV for patients in Northern Hemisphere countries, the first time to the authors' knowledge that a review on this topic has been restricted by geographic location.…”

“…In countries within the Northern Hemisphere, vitamin D levels fluctuate in a seasonal pattern—serum vitamin D levels are highest within the population of these countries during summer months and lowest during winter and spring, when there is a high prevalence of vitamin deficiency 14 15. BPPV may also exhibit a seasonal pattern, with higher incidence rates seen between autumn and early spring,16–18 although this has not been replicated in every study 19 20…”