Background: low serum vitamin D could be a cause of labyrinthine demineralization and in particular otoconial fragility. Vitamin D has a strong immunomodulatory role and regulation the expression of pro-inflammatory mediators. Its deficiency has been associated with increase the inflammatory processes in the inner ear.
Aim of the work: Study relation between vitamin D level and audio-vestibular disorders.
Patients and Methods: Present study was conducted on 214 subjects divided into two groups; study group included 107 adults who suffered from common audio-vestibular disorders while control group consisted of 107 volunteers with no audio-vestibular abnormalities. All the participants underwent audiological, vestibular evaluation, laboratory measurement of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3. Bone mineral density (BMD) was measured in the study group only at lumbar spine (L1–L4), proximal femur and mid ultra 1/3 forearm.
Results: Serum 25(OH) D3 levels were significantly lower in BPPV patients compared to control group. Patients with recurrent episodes of BPPV had significantly more low average serum level of 25(OH) D₃ than patients with a first episode. Presbycusis patients showed lower 25(OH) D₃ level compared to the senior adult controls yet not reach significant level. However, Vitamin D deficiency and low femur & forearm bone mineral density showed inverse correlation with hearing thresholds. Moreover, there was significant inverse correlation between low bone mineral density in Otosclerosis group and mean air, bone conduction hearing thresholds. No association found between vitamin D deficiency and Meniere's disease. Conclusions: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is common in patients suffered from BPPV and BPPV associated with presbycusis. Moreover vitamin D deficiency and low bone mineral density is risk factor for age related hearing loss.