Effects of the Lunar Cycle, Seasons and the Meteorological Factors on Peripheral Vertigo

Abstract

Objective:This study aimed to determine whether peripheral vertigo is related to the lunar cycle, the seasons, or meteorological factors, in patients who presented to the ear, nose, and throat clinic.Methods:All the patients, diagnosed with vertigo between January 2020 and January 2022, were identified through a retrospective review of our hospital database. The clinical and demographic data of the patients were recorded. Daily humidity (minimum, average, and maximum; %), daily temperature (minimum, average, and maximum; °C), daily average and maximum wind speed (m/min), daily air pressure (minimum and average maximum; hPa) and wind direction (degrees) values were noted. Also, the phases of the moon, i.e., first quarter, new moon, last quarter, and full moon periods were determined.Results:A total of 5,432 patients were included in the study. No statistically significant differences were noted among them with respect to the lunar cycle (p=0.233). However, patient density was found to increase in the winter months.Conclusion:This study concluded that the frequency of diseases is related to meteorological factors, nonetheless, no statistical relationship was found between the lunar cycle and the frequency of patient entries.

Keywords

• vertigo
• meteorological factors
• lunar cycle
• season
• benign paroxysmal positional vertigo