Low Bone Mineral Density and the Risk of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveThis study aimed to comprehensively analyze the relationship between low bone mineral density (BMD) and the risk of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) based on the large prospective population‐based UK Biobank (UKB) cohort.Study DesignProspective population‐based cohort study.SettingThe UKB.MethodsThis prospective cohort study included UKB participants recruited between 2006 and 2010 who had information on BMD and did not have BPPV before being diagnosed with low BMD. Univariable and multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to assess the association between low BMD (overall low BMD, osteopenia, and osteoporosis) and BPPV. We further conducted sex and age subgroup analysis, respectively. Finally, the effects of antiosteoporosis and female sex hormone medications on BPPV in participants with osteoporosis were evaluated.ResultsIn total, 484,303 participants were included in the final analysis, and 985 developed BPPV after a maximum follow‐up period of 15 years. Osteoporosis was associated with a higher risk of BPPV (odds ratio [OR] = 1.37, P = .0094), whereas osteopenia was not. Subgroup analyses suggested that the association between osteoporosis and BPPV was significant only in elderly females (≥60 years, OR = 1.51, P = .0007). However, no association was observed between antiosteoporosis or female sex hormone medications and BPPV in the participants with osteoporosis.ConclusionOsteoporosis was associated with a higher risk of developing general BPPV, especially in females aged ≥ 60 years old, whereas osteopenia was not associated with BPPV.