Factors affecting recurrent/persistent BPPV
The increased risk of BPPV in older group is well known, and previous studies have shown the link between age and chance of recurrence of BPPV. Previous studies have hypothesised the increase in recurrence rates in older patients may be related to utricular degeneration.8
This information could be vital for counselling patients in older age groups regarding their journey with BPPV. Informing them they are more likely to suffer from more episodes than younger people can both address expectations regarding prognosis, allow for additional education and help with managing resources as patients may need to be seen more frequently in a clinic.
Previous studies have also shown that patients can suffer from multiple peripheral causes of vertigo such as BPPV, vestibular neuronitis and Menniere’s disease.9 However studies have shown that there is no association between having vertigo inducing co-morbidities and recurrent BPPV.10 In the same large scale meta-analysis Li et al found thirteen different risk factors for recurrence of BPPV. Similar to our findings, age was a significant risk factor, but they also found gender and hypertension to be risk factors as well.