Abstract

Background and Objectives The causative role of serum uric acid has been controversial in Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV). The aim of this study was vto determine the role of serum uric acid in developing idiopathic BPPV. Materials and Methods We recruited 168 consecutive patients with a confirmed diagnosis of idiopathic BPPV. The patients comprised 116 women (age range: 29~70 years, mean±SD: 55.8±9.7 years) and 52 men (age range: 32~70 years, mean±SD: 55.2±10.9 years). The serum uric acid levels of the patients were compared with those of 194 controls (age range: 20~70 years, mean±SD: 55.5±7.8 years) without a history of dizziness. Results The serum uric acid levels were decreased in patients with BPPV compared with those in normal controls (4.8±1.3 vs 5.3±1.3, p=0.001). However, multiple logistic regression analyses adjusted for age, sex, alcohol, smoking, hyperphosphatemia and osteopenia/osteoporosis did not demonstrate that the hypouricemia is an independent risk factor for BPPV. Conclusion This study suggests that serum uric acid level is not a risk factor for developing idiopathic BPPV.

• Keywords: Uric acid;Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo;