The Association of Sarcopenia and Body Composition With Benign Positional Paroxysmal Vertigo in Older Adults

One-third of older adults suffer from dizziness and vertigo. Benign positional paroxysmal vertigo (BPPV), which occurs due to otoconia moving into the semicircular canal, is the most common vestibular disorder. We evaluated the connection between BPPV and geriatric symptoms.

A comprehensive geriatric evaluation included daily living activities, Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and Geriatric Depression Scale tests for all patients. Patients' nutritional status was assessed using the Mini-Nutritional Assessment. Body weight and fat free mass were determined from the bioimpedance analyzer. Hand grip strength was measured using an electronic hand dynamometer to determine muscle strength. Sarcopenia was assessed using the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People-2 recommendations. The patients were divided into three groups as BPPV-positive, BPPV-negative, and healthy (control).

Obesity, low muscle mass, dynapenia, gait speed, low gait speed, and history of falling statistically significantly differed between the three groups, but age, gender, smoking, alcohol consumption, body mass index, MMSE, depression, number of falls, and comorbid diseases did not differ. The BPPV-positive group had greater rates of obesity, low muscle mass, dynapenia, and sarcopenia than the control group (p = 0.008, 0.007, 0.01, 0.03). In the unadjusted univariate analysis, low muscle mass, sarcopenia, and obesity were risk factors for "BPPV" (Odds Ratio [OR]: 3.43, Confidence Interval [Cl]: 1.25-9.37, p = 0.016; OR: 3.47, Cl: 1.32-9.13, p = 0.011; OR: 2.71, Cl: 1.09-6.70, p = 0.031).

Obesity, sarcopenia, and low muscle mass are risk factors for BPPV, and we urge the older population to adopt healthy diet and exercise regimens to reduce BPPV-related falls.

3 Laryngoscope, 135:1486-1492, 2025.