Obesity and Muscle Loss Linked to Higher Risk of Vertigo in Seniors: Researchers Advocate Diet and Exercise

"The group diagnosed with BPPV demonstrated higher prevalence rates of obesity, muscle loss, and dynapenia compared to healthy counterparts. We emphasize the importance of adopting balanced diets and regular exercise routines to reduce the risk of BPPV-related falls," the researchers wrote.

Approximately one-third of older adults experience dizziness and vertigo. Benign positional paroxysmal vertigo, the most prevalent vestibular disorder, arises from the displacement of otoconia into the semicircular canal. Considering this, Sultan Keskin Demircan and Fatih Öner from Kastamonu University, Kastamonu in Turkey, assessed the association between BPPV and geriatric symptoms.

For this purpose, the researchers conducted a comprehensive geriatric evaluation that included assessments of daily living activities, the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the Geriatric Depression Scale. Nutritional status was evaluated using the Mini-Nutritional Assessment, while body weight and fat-free mass were measured with a bioimpedance analyzer. Muscle strength was determined by measuring hand grip strength with an electronic hand dynamometer, and sarcopenia was assessed based on the European Working Group on Sarcopenia in Older People-2 recommendations. Patients were categorized into three groups: BPPV-positive, BPPV-negative, and healthy controls.

The study led to the following findings:

• Obesity, low muscle mass, dynapenia, gait speed, low gait speed, and history of falling showed statistically significant differences between the three groups.
• There were no significant differences in age, gender, smoking, alcohol consumption, body mass index, MMSE, depression, number of falls, and comorbid diseases among the groups.
• The BPPV-positive group exhibited higher rates of obesity, low muscle mass, dynapenia, and sarcopenia compared to the control group.
• Unadjusted univariate analysis identified low muscle mass, sarcopenia, and obesity as risk factors for BPPV:
  • Low muscle mass (Odds Ratio [OR]: 3.43)
  • Sarcopenia (OR: 3.47)
  • Obesity (OR: 2.71)

"Obesity, sarcopenia, and low muscle mass increase the risk of developing benign paroxysmal positional vertigo. We recommend that older adults follow a healthy diet and exercise regularly to improve their overall strength and balance, which can help lower the risk of falls related to BPPV," the researchers concluded.

Reference:

Demircan, S. K., & Öner, F. The Association of Sarcopenia and Body Composition With Benign Positional Paroxysmal Vertigo in Older Adults. The Laryngoscope. https://doi.org/10.1002/lary.31995