Prevalence of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo : our experiences at a tertiary care hospital of India

Abstract EN

Introduction: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is a common cause of vertigo.BPPV is often overlooked by general physician and treated with anti-vertigo drugs.

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence, incidence, clinical presentation of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV).

Also assessing the age, gender and site of the lesion, association with other vestibular disorders, progression, and recurrence in these patients.

Materials and methods: A retrospective study of total of 172patients those attended in vertigo clinic for giddiness diagnosed as BPPV.

Data analyzed from medical records since last 3 years.

Out of total 685 vertigo patients in our Vertigo Clinic, 172were found to suffer from BPPV.The age of the patients ranged from 23 years to 76 years with mean of 41.4 year.

Results: Out of 685 patients with vertigo,172 were diagnosed as BPPV.

Among them, 102 female and 70 male patients.

The posterior canal was affected in 81.97 %, the lateral in 10.46 %, the anterior in 5.23 % and multiple canals in 2.32 %.The treatment maneuver used most was Epley’smaneuver.

Recurrence was observed in 10.37 % of the cases.

It was idiopathic in 73.83% of cases.

Conclusion: BPPV is a common peripheral vestibular disorder causing significant morbidity, psychosocial impact and medical costs.

Epley’s maneuver provides rapid relief of symptoms of BPPV.

In addition daily Brandt–Daroff exercises decrease the chances of recurrence rate.