Factors associated with recurrence of BPPV

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine factors associated with recurrence of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV). We studied 122 patients with BPPV. Recurrence was observed in 46 patients. We examined patient age, smoking habit and alcohol consumption, canal paresis (CP) on caloric test, complications, type of BPPV, positional nystagmus observed after recovery and duration of BPPV. Complications or CP was recognized with higher frequency in patients with recurrence than in those without recurrence. Complications such as hypertension or hyperlipemia were significantly associated with recurrence of BPPV. Duration of BPPV was significantly longer in patients with recurrence. There were no differences in age, smoking habit and alcohol consumption, type of BPPV and positional nystagmus after recovery between patients with recurrence and those without recurrence. It appeared that patients with recurrence of BPPV might have pathophysiological changes causing detached otoconia.