Correlation Between the Sleep-Position Habits and the Affected Posterior Semicircular Canal in Patients with Benign...

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Otolaryngology
• Vestibular System

Background:

• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of vertigo.
• Sleep position is hypothesized to influence BPPV pathogenesis, particularly for posterior semicircular canal BPPV.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between preferred sleeping position and the affected semicircular canal in BPPV patients.
• To determine if habitual sleep side correlates with the side of BPPV in the posterior semicircular canal.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective data review of vertigo patients undergoing clinical evaluation and Dix-Hallpike testing.
• Patients diagnosed with posterior canal BPPV (p-BPPV) reported their preferred sleeping position (right, left, supine, or variable).
• Affected semicircular canal (right or left posterior) and demographic data were recorded.

Main Results:

• 237 patients diagnosed with p-BPPV were included; 150 with right p-BPPV and 87 with left p-BPPV.
• A significant correlation was found between sleeping on the right side and right p-BPPV (84%, P = 0.0006).
• A significant correlation was also found between sleeping on the left side and left p-BPPV (65%, P < 0.0001).

Conclusions:

• Habitual sleeping position is strongly associated with the affected side in posterior canal BPPV.
• Modifying sleep position habits may be a viable strategy for preventing recurrent BPPV.