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.