Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 14, 2025
Estimating Vestibular Perceptual Thresholds Using a Six-Degree-Of-Freedom Motion Platform
Published on: August 4, 2022
Prevalence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in a population-based setting among 75-year-olds
Ellen Lindell1,2,3, Caterina Finizia1,4, Hugo Davidsson1,4
1Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Institute of Clinical Sciences, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
Background:
Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is one of the most frequently diagnosed cause of dizziness among older adults.
Objective:
To investigate the prevalence of BPPV and positional symptoms of dizziness and nystagmus among 75-year-olds and to identify factors associated with BPPV and positional dizziness and nystagmus.
Methods:
In this cross-sectional population-based study of 75-78-year-olds in Gothenburg, 887 participants were examined with questions regarding dizziness and health and social factors. A total of 681 participants underwent the Dix-Hallpike test or the side-lying test for BPPV using Video Frenzel goggles.
Results:
In total 32% reported problems with dizziness (n = 887). The prevalence of BPPV was 4% in the unweighted and 4.5% in the weighted analyses, compensating for selective attrition of women and participants with previous positional dizziness. Positional dizziness without nystagmus was found in 2% and nystagmus without dizziness was found in 9%. Individuals with BPPV and positional dizziness experienced more dizziness in everyday life compared with those with normal tests, while those with positional nystagmus did not.
Conclusions:
The estimated prevalence of BPPV among 75-year-olds was 4.5%. Despite weighted analyses, the true prevalence may be higher since many participants with dizziness refused testing. Dizziness was associated with fear and discomfort so strong that around 20% of the participants declined testing.
