Correlations of serum calcium, 25-hydroxyvitamin D and uric acid levels with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo

Objective To investigate the correlations of serum calcium, 25-hydroxyvitamin D and uric acid levels with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

Methods A total of 96 patients with BPPV were enrolled in vertigo group and further divided into mild vertigo (30 cases), moderate vertigo (42 cases), and severe vertigo (24 cases) groups based on the severity of vertigo symptoms. Additionally, 63 healthy people undergoing physical examination without BPPV were recruited as control group. Serum calcium, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, and uric acid levels were compared among groups, and their correlations with the severity of vertigo in BPPV patients were analyzed. Follow-up was conducted for 3 months to record the recurrence rate of BPPV.

Results The serum calcium and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in the moderate and severe vertigo groups were significantly lower, while uric acid levels, total score of Dizziness Handicap Inventory (DHI) as well as functional, emotional, and physical scores were significantly higher than those in the mild vertigo group and control group (P < 0.05). Moreover, the severe vertigo group exhibited lower serum calcium and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and higher uric acid level, DHI total score and functional, emotional, as well as physical scores (P < 0.05). No significant differences were observed in serum calcium, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, uric acid levels, or DHI scores between the mild vertigo group and the control group (P>0.05). The severity of vertigo in BPPV patients was negatively correlated with serum calcium (r=-0.557, P < 0.05) and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (r=-0.467, P < 0.05), and positively correlated with uric acid levels (r=0.504, P < 0.05). The 3-month recurrence rate of BPPV was 8.33%(8/96). Compared to patients with serum calcium ≥2.11 mmol/L, 25-hydroxyvitamin D ≥30 ng/mL, and uric acid ≤428 μmol/L, those with serum calcium < 2.11 mmol/L, 25-hydroxyvitamin D < 30 ng/mL, and uric acid >428 μmol/L had significantly higher BPPV recurrence rates (P < 0.05).

Conclusion BPPV patients exhibit abnormally lower serum calcium and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and abnormally higher uric acid levels. The severity of vertigo in BPPV patients is negatively correlated with serum calcium and 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and positively correlated with uric acid levels.