Relation Between Posterior Canal Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo and Vitamin D Deficiency

The aim of this study is to establish a relationship between vitamin D levels and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) and its recurrence; and to evaluate the remedial effect of vitamin D on BPPV. In a pilot study, 40 patients with clinically diagnosed posterior canal BPPV were evaluated, treated and were followed up for a period of 6 months at ENT Department of Mahatma Gandhi Medical College, Jaipur. All the patients with clinical diagnosis of posterior canal BPPV were tested for 25(OH)D levels at their 1st visit. Patients were divided in two groups after appropriate matching. Group A was given vitamin D supplementation along with canal repositioning manoeuvre (CRM) and group B were only treated by canal repositioning manoeuvre. Patients underwent neuro-otological assessment during follow up visits and recurrent attacks were recorded. This study was conducted on 40 patients with BPPV (26 females and 14 males). The average age was 50 years. Average serum of 25(OH)D at the first visit was (12.2 ng/ml) for group A, and (12.4 ng/ml) for group B, all patients had low serum level of 25(OH)D (below 20 ng/ml). Recurrent BPPV episodes, were significantly lower in group A than that of group B. We second the hypothesis that the patients with BPPV who have insufficient levels of Vitamin D may benefit from vitamin D supplementation and we suggest further epidemiological and pharmacological studies to detect the effect of vitamin D deficiency on development and recurrence of vertigo.