Therapeutic Effect of the Correction of Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients with Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo. A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Introduction Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) appears during the same age group in which vitamin D and calcium deficiencies are evident. Vitamin D deficiency could predispose to BPPV, since these two entities share a demineralization process. Objective To establish the otological impact of vitamin D supplementation in patients with its deficiency who suffer from BPPV. Methods This was a randomized clinical trial. A total of 35 patients with vitamin D deficiency (< 30 ng/ml) and BPPV were divided into 2 groups: Group 1 (control group): treatment with repositioning maneuvers; and Group 2: treatment with repositioning maneuvers and vitamin D supplementation. Results A follow-up of between 6 and 13 months and a log rank test revealed that the probability of recurrence between the experimental groups was significantly different, with group 2 having a decreased recurrence of vertigo (p = 0.17). Scores in the Dizziness Handicap inventory (DHI) in patients treated with vitamin D supplementation were smaller (10 ± 9) when compared with a score of 36 ± 9 in the control group. Conclusion Plasmatic values of 25-hydroxyvitamin D have an impact in patients with BPPV, who present an improvement in their quality of life when their vitamin D levels are replaced with supplementation. Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo could stop being perceived as a purely otologic disease.

Vitamin D Supplementation and Recurrence of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

“…We conducted a review of the study results on vitamin D supplementation for preventing recurrences of BPPV within the last 3 years ( Table 2 ). Out of the five articles examined, the majority, four out of five, reported that vitamin D supplementation in BPPV patients effectively prevented recurrence of BPPV [ 19 , 20 , 21 , 29 ]. Consistently, these studies showed that the group supplemented with vitamin D exhibited a lower recurrence rate compared to the control group without vitamin D supplementation.…”

“…The group receiving vitamin D supplementation showed a significant reduction in the frequency of recurrences [ 19 ]. Among these studies, two had a follow-up duration ranging from greater than 6 months to less than a year [ 16 , 26 ], while three had a follow-up time of 1 year or more [ 20 , 29 , 30 ].…”

“…Sanchez et al conducted a study indicating a significant difference in the probability of recurrence between experimental groups, particularly Group 2, which received treatment involving repositioning maneuvers and vitamin D supplementation, showing a decreased recurrence of vertigo ( p < 0.017), and the follow-up period ranged from 6 to 13 months [ 20 ].…”

“…In this study, we aimed to explore recent research findings on vitamin D supplementation therapy for BPPV after 2020 through a clinical review. While previous studies focused on differences in recurrence rates between control and intervention groups [ 16 , 17 , 18 ], recent research results demonstrate the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in reducing recurrence frequency, particularly in patients with frequent recurrences of BPPV [ 19 , 20 , 21 ]. While previous studies did not find significant differences in recurrence rates between patients experiencing multiple recurrences and those with a single recurrence, recent research suggests that vitamin D supplementation has an effect on reducing the number of recurrences.…”