Evaluation of the Association Between Serum Levels of Vitamin D, Calcium and Phosphorus with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Abstract

Background: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common cause of periodic vertigo in patients, characterized by short-term attacks that are exacerbated by changes in head position. Deficiency or imbalance in serum levels of calcium, phosphorus, and vitamin D may compromise the health of inner ear structures and neuromuscular functions related to balance. Objectives: The present study aimed to investigate the association between serum levels of vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus and BPPV. Methods: A case-control study was conducted, using a census method, on 56 patients with BPPV who referred to the ENT Clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital, Kermanshah, Iran during 2019 - 2020. Subjects were randomly divided into two groups: Case and control. The measurement tool was a researcher-made checklist. The Dys-Hallpike maneuver was used to diagnose vertigo, and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), Colorimetric Assays, and AAS were used to measure serum phosphorus, calcium, and vitamin D levels. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS version 25. Results: Fifty-six people were examined. Twenty-eight of these people were in the case group and 28 were in the control group, whose average age was 44.1 ± 15.8 years and 44.2 ± 15.7 years, respectively. Serum vitamin D levels were significantly lower in the case group (27.55 ± 15.36) compared to the control group (39.63 ± 15.83, P = 0.005). No significant differences were observed in serum phosphorus or calcium levels between the groups (P > 0.005). Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency exacerbates BPPV, especially in women during menopause. Health care providers should prioritize programs to improve vitamin D levels, especially in high-risk groups.