title: Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo in the elderly.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) is the most frequent peripheral vertigo in the elderly. It is a well-characterized entity and generally easy to treat.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the main symptoms, time to consult for the problem, vertigo characteristics, treatment and follow-up in patients over 70 with BPPV.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a retrospective cohort study. Four hundred and four patients were diagnosed to have BPPV (between January 2006 and December 2012); 211 of them were ≥70 years old (mean 77.7 years) and 193 <70 years old (mean 53.82 years).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Patients over 70 with BPPV took longer to consult for the problem (Spearman rho, p = 0.01). The frequency of a clinical presentation consisting of unsteadiness or imbalance without vertigo sensation is higher among elderly patients (χ(2), p = 10(-6)). The effectiveness of the repositioning maneuver is lower than in patients under 70 (χ(2), p = 0.002), and the recurrences are more frequent (χ(2), p = 0.04).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  BPPV is a frequent entity in the elderly, and it is necessary to take it into account when older patients complain about imbalance. An appropriate treatment with repositioning maneuvers and prolonged follow-up are required in order to detect recurrences.
authors.affiliation: Otoneurology Unit, Hospital Universitario de Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain. abatuc@yahoo.es
authors.forename: Angel
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Batuecas-Caletrio
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Trinidad-Ruiz
authors.forename: Christiane
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Zschaeck
authors.forename: Juan Carlos
authors.initials: JC
authors.lastname: del Pozo de Dios
authors.forename: Laura
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: de Toro Gil
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Martin-Sanchez
authors.forename: Eduardo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Martin-Sanz
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D065635:Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012008:Recurrence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012665:Semicircular Canals / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014717:Vertigo / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy