Investigation of the Relationship Between Serum Copper, Zinc, and Magnesium Levels and Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)

Demir Ö. F., Kükürt A.

Kafkas Journal of Medical Sciences, vol.16, no.1, pp.74-80, 2026 (Peer-Reviewed Journal)

Abstract

Aim: This study examined the association between serum trace element concentrations (copper, magnesium, and zinc) and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), a common cause of vertigo.

Materials and Methods: This retrospective study was conducted

by reviewing laboratory data recorded in the hospital automation system for patients who presented with vertigo at the Kafkas University Health Practice and Research Center between January 1, 2022, and April 1, 2024. A total of 119 individuals were included, comprising 81 (68.07%) patients diagnosed with BPPV and 38 (31.93%) in the control group. Participants had a mean age of 52 years; females accounted for 60.5% of the cohort, while males comprised 39.5%.

Results: Comparative analyses revealed distinct serum copper, magnesium, and zinc profiles between the BPPV and control groups (p<0.05). Higher copper and magnesium concentrations were observed in individuals with BPPV, whereas zinc levels were greater in the control group. Among the trace elements examined, magnesium demonstrated the strongest association with BPPV, with higher levels corresponding to a 9,709-fold increase in the odds of the disorder.

Conclusion: Alterations in serum trace element levels, particularly increased magnesium levels, may be related to the presence of BPPV. These findings suggest that mineral metabolism may play a contributory role in vestibular disorders and provide a foundation for further research in this field.