Investigation of Serum Calcium and Vitamin D Levels in Patients with Refractory Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo.

OBJECTIVE

It is not known exactly what causes recurrence in benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) patients. We aimed to investigate the relationship between the number of maneuvers and serum vitamin D and calcium levels in BPPV cases treated with appropriate maneuvers after correct diagnosis.

METHODS

A total of 86 BPPV patients, 68 (79.9%) female and 18 (20.1%) male were included in the study. Of these, 16.3% (n=14) were aged under 45 years, 29.1% (n=25) between 45-60 years, and 54.7% (n=47) over 60 years. All were evaluated with videonystagmography. Patients who underwent maneuvers for BPPV treatment were examined. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and calcium levels were measured.

RESULTS

Repeated maneuvers were performed in 43% of the patients (n=37). Serum calcium measurements did not differ significantly between the groups. Serum vitamin D levels were not significantly different between the groups in terms of sex (p=0.387) and age (p=0.323). However, vitamin D levels were significantly lower in the group that resisted the maneuvers than in the group that did not resist [resistance: 22.9, interquartile range (IQR): 12.9-27.0; non-resistance: 28.6, IQR: 18-35, p=0.009].

CONCLUSION

Vitamin D measurements were observed to be significantly lower in patients requiring repeat maneuvers for BPPV treatment. We recommend that vitamin D levels be evaluated in resistant cases.