Analysis of Vitamin D and Calcium Levels in Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo

The most common and benign cause of vertigo, which is defined as the illusion of movement of the body or environment, is benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Although the pathophysiological process of the disease has not been fully clarified, currently, the widely accepted opinion is that the disease results from the accumulation of otoconia that are detached from the utricular macula in the semicircular canals and thereby sensitizing such canals to gravity (1). Otoconia crystals consist of a central nucleus mostly composed of organic glycoproteins with low calcium (Ca) levels and surrounding inorganic peripheral zones containing minerals mostly composed of calcium carbonate with high Ca levels. Recent studies conducted to clarify the etiology have demonstrated that there may be an association between osteoporosis and Ca metabolism and the frequency of BPPV (1, 2). This is supported by the fact that BPPV is more common especially in postmenopausal women aged >50 years, in whom osteopenia and osteoporosis are common. Such studies have suggested that osteoporosis and accordingly the Ca metabolism may be a risk factor for developing BPPV by affecting particularly the peripheral zone in otoconia, which have a similar structure with bone tissue (3). The role of vitamin D,