Evaluation of Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo in Patients Presenting to the Hospital with Dizziness: A Retrospective Study

Abstract

Aim: Dizziness is one of the most common complaints in society and one of the most frequent reasons for referral to both emergency departments and outpatient neurology clinics. This study aimed to investigate the demographic characteristics and etiology of vertigo in patients who presented to the hospital with dizziness and were diagnosed with benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). Materials and Methods: In this study, the data of patients who presented to a private secondary care hospital due to vertigo were retrospectively analyzed. Peripheral-central differentiation, medical history, and additional symptoms were examined and statistically compared between patients diagnosed with BPPV and those with generalized dizziness. Results: The study included 120 patients. Of the patients diagnosed with BPPV, 68.4% were female. Peripheral causes were detected in 76.6% (n=92) of the patients. Vertigo was the most common presenting symptom in 84.2% of the patients in the BPPV group. Eighteen (15.0%) patients with generalized dizziness and two (5.2%) with BPPV were hospitalized. The difference in the hospitalization rates of the two groups was statistically significant (p=0.003) Conclusion: BPPV is the most common etiology in most patients with dizziness. Therefore, knowing the general epidemiological and demographic characteristics of patients with dizziness is an important factor in the management of vertigo.