Randomized Controlled Trial Assessing Vitamin D's Role in Reducing BPPV Recurrence in Older Adults

Abstract

Objective: To determine if the recurrence rates of BPPV in older adults were lower in the vitamin D-treated group as compared to placebo groups.

Study design: Double-blinded randomized control placebo trial.

Setting: A single-centre study.

Methods: Double-blinded randomized controlled trial design with 12 months follow-up. Vitamin D3 deplete participants were randomized into treatment (Group A) or placebo groups (Group B). Treatment group received 13 weeks of 2000 IU vitamin D3 followed by 1000 IU for the next 13 weeks. Patients who were replete were allocated to a control group (Group C) for observation and follow up. All groups had dietary interventions for vitamin D3 and calcium.

Results: Results showed an 87% reduction in recurrence rates of BPPV in the treatment group (Group A), with 0.75 fewer clinical episodes per 1 person-year as compared to placebo (Group B). Time to first recurrence was also significantly longer in Group A. There was no statistically significant difference between Group A and C in both recurrence rates and dizziness handicap scores.

Conclusions: This clinical trial has laid the foundation to expand the investigation of vitamin D as standard of care treatment in BPPV patients in future phase IIb and III studies.

Summary: A reduction in BPPV episodes in older adults has implications on fall risk, as dizziness from BPPV may cause falls. With fewer BPPV episodes and longer time to recurrence, seniors may have better postural stability and hence reduced risk of falls.

Keywords: BPPV; dizziness; randomized controlled trial; recurrence; vitamin D deficiency.