Seasonal variation in peripheral vestibular disorders based on Korean population data

Comprehensive studies in which the seasonal variation in peripheral vestibular disorders was evaluated using data from an entire population are insufficient. The seasonal variation in peripheral vestibular disorders based on data from the entire Korean population was investigated in the present study.

Retrospective data from the National Health Insurance Service of Korea from 2008 to 2020 was analyzed. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), vestibular neuritis (VN), and Meniere's disease (MD) were defined based on diagnostic, treatment, or audiovestibular test codes. The seasonal incidence for each peripheral vestibular disorder was calculated among all study subjects.

For the entire study cohort, the incidence of BPPV was significantly higher in spring (odds ratio [OR] = 1.031, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.026-1.037), autumn (OR = 1.024, 95% CI = 1.019-1.029), and winter (OR = 1.051, 95% CI = 1.046-1.056) than in summer. The incidence of VN was significantly lower in winter (OR = 0.917, 95% CI = 0.907-0.927) than in summer. The incidence of MD was significantly higher in spring (OR = 1.027, 95% CI = 1.015-1.039) and autumn (OR = 1.029, 95% CI = 1.017-1.041) and significantly lower in winter (OR = 0.919, 95% CI = 0.908-0.931) than in summer. Differences were also observed in seasonal variation based on sex and age.

Significant seasonal variation occurred in peripheral vestibular disorders including BPPV, VN, and MD based on the entire Korean population data. Furthermore, seasonal variation showed differences based on sex and age.

4.