Environmental drivers of vertigo

In this project, we explored potential environmental drivers of vertigo symptoms, such as extreme heat, humidity, dry weather, and viral morbidity in the population, considering the last as either direct cause or a mediating factor. To address the study question we analyzed multiple meteorological states in a case crossover design in a population of 9382 patients treated by the local hospital in Southern Israel for vertigo symptoms between 2014-2019. Based on the analysis, none of the environmental factors were likely related to the symptoms’ onset, even when an extended exposure of 2-days long waves was considered, except for barometric pressure (BP). Exposure to BP levels above the 90th percentile for at least two consecutive days was associated with a 20% increase in the likelihood of vertigo onset (p = 0.032). This effect was particularly pronounced in patients with chronic hypertension (RR = 1.42, with a borderline p-value of 0.062). These findings warrant increasing awareness for high daily BP levels and suggest primary care practitioners consider preventive recommendations for susceptible patients.