Association Between Osteoporosis/Osteopenia and Vestibular Dysfunction in South Korean Adults

The associations of osteoporosis/osteopenia with vestibular dysfunction have not been well evaluated and conflicting results have been reported. The purpose of this study is to examine the relation of low bone mineral density (BMD) with vestibular dysfunction.

The authors conducted a cross-sectional study in 3579 Korean adults aged 50 years and older who participated in the 2009 to 2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. BMD was measured by dual energy X ray absorptiometry. Vestibular dysfunction was evaluated using the modified Romberg test of standing balance on firm and compliant support surfaces. Data were analyzed in 2015. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to compute odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs).

The prevalence of vestibular dysfunction was 4.3 ± 0.5%. After adjustment for potential confounders, the adjusted ORs for vestibular dysfunction based on BMD were 1.00 (reference) for normal BMD, 2.21 (95% CI: 1.08, 4.50) for osteopenia, and 2.47 (95% CI: 1.05, 5.81) for osteoporosis (p < 0.05). We also observed relationships within each age group. The adjusted ORs were as follows: for age <65 years, the values were 1.00 (reference) for normal BMD, 2.91 (95% CI: 1.02, 8.31) for osteopenia, and 2.12 (95% CI: 0.28, 16.14) for osteoporosis (p < 0.05). For age ≥65 years, the values were 1.00 (reference) for normal BMD, 2.17 (95% CI: 0.96, 4.90) for osteopenia, and 2.77 (95% CI: 1.18, 6.47) for osteoporosis (p < 0.05).

Osteoporosis or osteopenia were associated with an increased risk of vestibular dysfunction among South Korean adults, especially in older ones.