VERTIGO AND OSTEOPOROSIS: THE CORRELATION BETWEEN NUTRITIONAL INTAKE OF VITAMIN D AND INCIDENCE OF RECURRING BENIGN PAROXYSMAL POSITIONAL VERTIGO IN SUBJECTS WITH HYPOVITAMINOSIS D

Introduction: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most common peripheral cause of vertigo. It can be defined as transient vertigo induced by rapid changes in head position associated with a characteristic paroxysmal positional nystagmus. The aim of this study is to evaluate the association between the serum calcium and vitamin D levels in osteoporotic patients affected by recurrent BPPV. Materials and Methods: Calcium and 25-hydroxy-vitamin D levels were evaluated in peripheral venous serum samples of 40 BPPV patients. Results: The reduction of serum vitamin D levels is present in 16 of BPPV patients with recurrence. After nutritional intake of vitamin D there was a decline of the vertiginous crisis recurrence. Conclusion: Our findings suggested that the administration of vitamin D dietary supplements can improve, reduce and even eliminate the BPPV vertiginous crisis.