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Published on: April 28, 2020
Sleep position and laterality of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
S G Korres1, C E Papadakis, M G Riga
1ENT Department of Hippokration Hospital, National University of Athens, Greece.
The Journal of Laryngology and Otology
|April 4, 2008
Summary
Right-sided benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is more common and linked to sleeping on the right side. This suggests head-lying position may influence BPPV pathophysiology.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Otolaryngology
- Vestibular System Disorders
Background:
- Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common vestibular disorder.
- The posterior semicircular canal is frequently involved in BPPV.
- Previous research suggests elderly individuals prefer sleeping on their right side.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the frequency of posterior semicircular canal BPPV in each ear.
- To investigate the association between the affected ear and head-lying side during sleep onset.
- To explore the potential role of head-lying preference in BPPV pathophysiology.
Main Methods:
- Prospective study of outpatients diagnosed with posterior semicircular canal BPPV.
- Confirmation of BPPV using the positive Dix-Hallpike test.
- Patient interviews regarding medical history and preferred head-lying side during sleep onset.
Main Results:
- Right-sided BPPV was diagnosed in 82 patients, left-sided in 54, and bilateral in 6.
- A significant majority of patients (97/142) preferred sleeping with their head on the right side.
- A statistically significant association (p < 0.001) was found between the affected ear and the preferred head-lying side.
Conclusions:
- Right-sided posterior semicircular canal BPPV is predominant in this patient cohort.
- Patients with BPPV show a preference for sleeping on their right side.
- The preferred head-lying side during sleep onset is associated with the ear affected by BPPV, suggesting implications for otoconia displacement.
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