Diabetes Mellitus as a Risk Factor in Recurrent Vestibular Disorders: An Update

/Objectives : Diabetes mellitus (DM) has been proposed as a potential risk factor for vestibular dysfunction, although the evidence remains heterogeneous. This review was prompted by the increasing recognition in clinical practice of a frequent coexistence between DM and recurrent vestibular disorders....

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Evidence remains heterogeneous and inconclusive; clinicians should note diabetes as a potential contributing factor when evaluating patients with recurrent vestibular disorders, but no change to standard diagnostic or management protocols is currently warranted.

Given the global prevalence of diabetes, clarifying its role as a risk factor for recurrent vestibular disorders could have significant implications for identifying and managing at-risk patients in audiology and ENT practice.

1. 01Review updates evidence linking diabetes mellitus to recurrent vestibular (balance) disorders.
2. 02Existing literature shows heterogeneous findings — results vary widely across studies.
3. 03No definitive causal relationship between diabetes and vestibular disorders established.
4. 04Highlights need for large, well-controlled prospective studies on this topic.
5. 05Relevant for audiologists and ENT clinicians managing patients with both conditions.

PMID

42645126

DOI

10.3390/audiolres16040115.

Journal

Audiology Research

Publication type

review

Evidence level

2a

Population

Patients with recurrent vestibular disorders and diabetes mellitus across published studies

Intervention

Diabetes mellitus as a risk exposure

Comparator

Non-diabetic individuals or general vestibular disorder populations