Potential risk factors of persistent postural-perceptual dizziness: a pilot study

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Vascular Medicine

Background:

• Persistent Postural-Perceptual Dizziness (PPPD) is a common neurological condition characterized by chronic dizziness.
• The underlying pathology of PPPD remains incompletely understood.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate potential risk factors associated with the development of PPPD.
• This study aimed to identify clinical and radiological factors contributing to PPPD.

Main Methods:

• A retrospective case series comparing 80 PPPD patients with 81 healthy controls.
• Data collected included medical history (hypertension, diabetes, smoking, drinking), blood tests, and neuroimaging (carotid artery CTA, cranial MRI).
• Imaging assessed carotid atherosclerosis (CAS), white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), and lacunar infarction (LI); binary logistic regression analyzed differences.

Main Results:

• The prevalence of hypertension was significantly higher in the PPPD group compared to controls.
• Detection rates of CAS, WMHs, and LI were significantly elevated in patients with PPPD.
• All observed differences between groups were statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Hypertension is a significant risk factor associated with PPPD.
• Cerebrovascular findings including CAS, WMHs, and LI are linked to PPPD.
• These vascular and hypertensive factors may play a role in the etiology of PPPD.