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. 2022 Nov 18;14(22):4885. doi: 10.3390/nu14224885

Association between Osteoporosis and Meniere’s Disease: Two Longitudinal Follow-Up Cohort Studies

Hyo Geun Choi 1,, Juyong Chung 2,, Dae Myoung Yoo 3, Chang Ho Lee 4, So Young Kim 4,*
Editors: Simone Perna, Connie Weaver
PMCID: PMC9697712  PMID: 36432572

Abstract

A high rate of Meniere’s disease (MD) in patients with osteoporosis has been suggested. This research intended to estimate the bidirectional association of MD with osteoporosis. The ≥40-year-old population in the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort 2002–2019 was examined. In study I, 9529 patients with MD and 38,116 control I participants were analyzed for a previous history of osteoporosis. In study II, 65,858 patients with osteoporosis and 65,858 control II participants were analyzed for a previous history of MD. Stratified Cox proportional hazard models were applied to calculate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of MD for osteoporosis in study I and of osteoporosis for MD in study II. The rate of a prior history of osteoporosis was 13.3% for the MD group and 11.3% for the control I group. The patients with MD had a 1.12 times higher HR for previous osteoporosis (95% CI = 1.04–1.20). In study II, the rate or a prior history of MD was 3.7% for patients with osteoporosis and 2.0% for the control II group. The patients with osteoporosis had a 1.50 times higher HR for previous MD (95% CI = 1.40–1.61). Most subgroups according to age, sex, and comorbid conditions demonstrated consistent bidirectional associations between MD and osteoporosis. Adult patients with MD had a greater risk of osteoporosis. In addition, adult patients with osteoporosis also showed a higher risk of MD.

Keywords: Meniere’s disease, osteoporosis, risk factors, cohort studies, epidemiology

1. Introduction

Meniere’s disease (MD) is an inner ear disease with relapsing cochleovestibular symptoms of vertigo, ear fullness, and hearing loss [1]. Approximately 50–200/100,000 adults were reported to suffer from MD [2]. The etiology of MD has been suggested to be multifactorial, including an autoimmune dysfunction, a viral infection, and genetic factors [3,4,5]. These etiologic causes have been presumed to induce hydrops of the endolymphatic duct, which has been acknowledged as a main pathophysiologic mechanism of MD [6]. In addition, a few studies have suggested that otoconia that detach from the macula of the saccule and obstruct the ductus reuniens or endolymphatic duct can contribute to the development of MD [7]. Thus, it can be postulated that the derangement or degeneration of otoconia may increase the risk of MD. Because osteoporosis is one of the factors related to the degeneration of otoconia, osteoporosis can be a risk factor for MD.

The homeostasis of calcium is associated with the regulation of otoconia in animal studies, since a high risk of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) in patients with osteoporosis has been reported [8,9]. In addition, osteoporosis was linked with an increased risk of vestibular dysfunction (adjusted odds ratio = 2.47, 95% confidence intervals [95% CI] = 1.05–5.81) [10]. It was suggested that the demineralization of the vestibular labyrinth and elevated free calcium in the endolymphatic flow can induce vestibular dysfunction in patients with osteoporosis [10]. However, the causality between vestibular dysfunction and osteoporosis has not been explored. In addition to the potential impact of osteoporosis on vestibular impairment, it has been presumed that vestibular dysfunction can disturb bone homeostasis [11]. Therefore, the risk of osteoporosis in patients with vestibular dysfunction can be postulated.

We hypothesized that osteoporosis can be related to a greater risk of MD and that patients with MD can have a greater risk of osteoporosis. Although the exact pathophysiologic mechanism has not been elucidated, osteoporosis has been indicated as a risk factor for vestibular dysfunction [10]. In addition, prior studies proposed the possible association of osteoporosis with cochlear dysfunction [12]. Because the dysfunction of the cochlea-vestibular system is related to MD, we supposed that osteoporosis can be associated with the risk of MD. Moreover, MD can induce osteoporotic changes via defects in the vestibular input to the brainstem and influence the sympathetic function [11]. To examine this supposition, two independent case–control studies were conducted and analyzed the risk of osteoporosis in patients with MD and vice versa. This study is novel to investigate the bidirectional association between MD and osteoporosis.

2. Methods

2.1. Ethical Considerations

The ethics committee of Hallym University (2019-10-023) permitted the analyses and exempted the authors from obtaining a written informed consent for the current research. This study analyzed the ≥40-year-old population in the Korean National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort 2002–2019. This study complied with the STROBE guidelines.

2.2. Diagnostic Criteria

Osteoporosis and MD were classified as in previous studies [13,14]. Osteoporosis was classified based on the international classification of diseases (ICD)-10 codes (M80, M81, and M82), 2 or more times of clinical visits, and the examination of bone density using X-ray or computed tomography [13].

MD was classified based on the ICD-10 codes (H810), 2 or more times of clinical visits, and the examination of pure tone audiometry [14].

2.3. Study I

We enrolled 15,208 patients with MD. In total, 499,658 control participants were identified who were not diagnosed with MD during 2002–2019. Among the patients with MD, 539 patients who were diagnosed in 2002, as well as 779 MD patients and 18,847 control participants who had a history of head trauma were excluded. Participants with a history of brain tumors, disorders of acoustic nerves, and benign neoplasms of cranial nerves were also excluded. Age, sex, income, and region of residence were matched between the MD patients and the control participants. Finally, 9529 MD participants and 38,116 control I participants were included (Figure 1).

Figure 1.

Figure 1

(a) A schematic illustration of the participant selection process that was used in the present study. Of a total of 514,866 participants, 9529 Meniere’s disease participants were matched with 38,116 control participants for age, sex, income, and region of residence. (b) A schematic illustration of the participant selection process that was used in the present study. Of a total of 514,866 participants, 65,858 osteoporosis participants were matched with 65,858 control participants for age, sex, income, and region of residence.

2.4. Study II

We identified 117,946 osteoporosis patients, as well as 396,920 control participants who were not diagnosed with osteoporosis during 2002–2019. Then, 15,510 osteoporosis patients who were diagnosed in 2002 and 4645 osteoporosis patients and 12,648 control participants who had a history of head trauma were excluded. Participants with a history of brain tumors, disorders of acoustic nerves, and benign neoplasms of cranial nerves were excluded too. Age, sex, income, and region of residence were matched between the osteoporosis patients and the control participants. Finally, 65,858 osteoporosis participants and 65,858 control II participants were included (Figure 1).

2.5. Variables

The variables of age, income level, region of residence, smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) were classified as previously described [15]. Ten age groups were defined, i.e., 40–44, 45–49, 50–54, 55–59, 60–64, 65–69, 70–74, 75–79, 80–84, and 85+ years of age. Five income groups were specified, from class 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Two groups of region of residence were defined as urban and rural areas. The status of smoking was defined as nonsmoker, past smoker, and current smoker based on a self-reported questionnaire. The frequency of alcohol consumption was defined as <1 time a week and ≥1 time a week. The body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) groups were classified as <18.5 (underweight), from.5 to <23 (normal), from 23 to <25 (overweight), from 25 to <30 (obese I), and ≥30 (obese II). Systolic blood pressure (SBP, mmHg), diastolic blood pressure (DBP, mmHg), fasting blood glucose (mg/dL), and total cholesterol (mg/dL) were measured. Histories of benign paroxysmal vertigo (BPPV), vestibular neuronitis (VN), other types of peripheral vertigo, and dyslipidemia were defined based on 2 or more clinical visits.

2.6. Statistical Method

The variables were compared between the study (MD or osteoporosis) and the control I or control II groups using standardized differences.

The hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of MD for osteoporosis (study I) and osteoporosis for MD (study II) were estimated using stratified Cox proportional hazard models. All collected variables were adjusted.

The cumulative incidence rates of osteoporosis in MD and control I groups (Figure 2a) and those of MD in osteoporosis participants and control II group (Figure 2b) were estimated using the Kaplan–Meier curve and log rank test.

Figure 2.

Figure 2

(a) Kaplan–Meier curve for the cumulative incidence rates of osteoporosis in Meniere’s disease participants and control I group (b) Kaplan–Meier curve for the cumulative incidence rates of Meniere’s disease in osteoporosis participants and control II group.

Secondary analyses were conducted according to age, sex, income, region, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and total cholesterol. Interaction analyses were conducted to explore the interaction of the variables with MD or osteoporosis. A p value < 0.05 was regarded as statistical significance. SAS version 9.4 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA) was utilized.

3. Results

In total, 13.3% of MD patients and 11.3% of control I patients had osteoporosis. (sd = 0.06, Table 1). The histories of BPPV, VN, and other types of peripheral vertigo were more frequent in the MD group than in the control I group. The rates of obesity, hyperglycemia, and high CCI were greater in the MD group than in the control I group. On the other hand, current smoking, alcohol consumption, high SBP and DBP, and hypercholesterolemia were greater in the control I group than in the MD group.

Table 1.

General Characteristics of the Participants.

Characteristics Total Participants
Meniere’s Disease
(n, %)
Control
(n, %)
Standardized
Difference
Age (years old) 0.00
40–44 132 (1.4) 528 (1.4)
45–49 547 (5.7) 2188 (5.7)
50–54 1230 (12.9) 4920 (12.9)
55–59 1986 (20.8) 7944 (20.8)
60–64 1738 (18.2) 6952 (18.2)
65–69 1519 (15.9) 6076 (15.9)
70–74 1189 (12.5) 4756 (12.5)
75–79 742 (7.8) 2968 (7.8)
80–84 332 (3.5) 1328 (3.5)
85+ 114 (1.2) 456 (1.2)
Sex 0.00
Male 4690 (49.2) 18,760 (49.2)
Female 4839 (50.8) 19,356 (50.8)
Income 0.00
1 (lowest) 1523 (16.0) 6092 (16.0)
2 1202 (12.6) 4808 (12.6)
3 1500 (15.7) 6000 (15.7)
4 2088 (21.9) 8352 (21.9)
5 (highest) 3216 (33.8) 12,864 (33.8)
Region of residence 0.00
Urban 4087 (42.9) 16,348 (42.9)
Rural 5442 (57.1) 21,768 (57.1)
Obesity 0.08
Underweight 185 (1.9) 889 (2.3)
Normal 3017 (31.7) 13,246 (34.8)
Overweight 2578 (27.1) 10,333 (27.1)
Obese I 3388 (35.6) 12,349 (32.4)
Obese II 361 (3.8) 1299 (3.4)
Smoking status 0.16
Nonsmoker 7747 (81.3) 31,249 (82.0)
Past smoker 1714 (18.0) 5891 (15.5)
Current smoker 68 (0.7) 976 (2.6)
Alcohol consumption 0.06
<1 time a week 6234 (65.4) 23,822 (62.5)
≥1 time a week 3295 (34.6) 14,294 (37.5)
Systolic blood pressure 0.02
<120 mmHg 2825 (29.7) 11,661 (30.6)
120–139 mmHg 4937 (51.8) 18,669 (49.0)
≥140 mmHg 1767 (18.5) 7786 (20.4)
Diastolic blood pressure 0.12
<80 mmHg 5438 (57.1) 18,825 (49.4)
80–89 mmHg 3123 (32.8) 13,359 (35.1)
≥90 mmHg 968 (10.2) 5932 (15.6)
Fasting blood glucose 0.09
<100 mg/dL 4870 (51.1) 22,776 (59.8)
100–125 mg/dL 3510 (36.8) 11,416 (30.0)
≥126 mg/dL 1149 (12.1) 3924 (10.3)
Total cholesterol 0.16
<200 mg/dL 5671 (59.5) 20,579 (54.0)
200–239 mg/dL 2724 (28.6) 12,362 (32.4)
≥240 mg/dL 1134 (11.9) 5175 (13.6)
CCI score 0.14
0 5499 (57.7) 24,021 (63.0)
1 1860 (19.5) 5947 (15.6)
≥2 2170 (22.8) 8148 (21.4)
Dyslipidemia 6081 (63.8) 20,422 (53.6) 0.21
Benign paroxysmal vertigo 4607 (48.4) 4772 (12.5) 0.85
Vestibular neuronitis 1770 (18.6) 1169 (3.1) 0.52
Other peripheral vertigo 3582 (37.6) 3587 (9.4) 0.70
Osteoporosis 1266 (13.3) 4287 (11.3) 0.06

Abbreviations: CCI, Charlson comorbidity index. SD, standard deviation. Obesity (BMI, body mass index, kg/m2) was categorized as <18.5 (underweight), from 18.5 to <23 (normal), from 23 to <25 (overweight), from 25 to <30 (obese I), and ≥30 (obese II).

The patients with MD demonstrated a higher risk of a previous history of osteoporosis than the control I group (Table 2 and Figure 2a). The adjusted HR for osteoporosis was 1.12 in the MD group (95% CI = 1.04–1.20, p = 0.003). Interaction analyses demonstrated significant interactions between MD and sex, smoking, fasting blood glucose, and cholesterol levels. Subgroups of ≥65 years old, men, high income participants, rural residents, nonsmokers or past smokers, overweight participants, and participants with normal blood pressure, normal fasting blood glucose, and high total cholesterol levels presented a consistently higher risk of MD related to osteoporosis (Table 2 and Figure 3a).

Table 2.

Crude and adjusted hazard ratios of Meniere’s disease for osteoporosis in subgroups according to age, sex, income, region, smoking status, alcohol consumption, obesity, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and total cholesterol.

N of Event/
N of Total (%)
F/U
Duration
(PY)
IR per 1000
(PY)
IRD
(95% CI)
Hazard Ratios
Crude p-Value Adjusted p-Value p for
Interaction
Total
Meniere’s disease 1266/9529 (13.3) 55,280 22.90 3.59 (2.27 to 4.91) 1.20 (1.13–1.28) <0.001 * 1.12 (1.04–1.20) 0.003 *
Control 4287/38,116 (11.2) 221,976 19.31 3.59 (2.27 to 4.91) 1 1
Age < 65 years old 0.211
Meniere’s disease 440/3895 (11.3) 29,322 15.01 1.45 (−0.05 to 2.96) 1.12 (1.01–1.24) 0.037 * 1.04 (0.92–1.18) 0.533
Control 1595/15,580 (10.2) 117,693 13.55 1 1
Age ≥ 65 years old
Meniere’s disease 826/5634 (14.7) 25,958 31.82 6.01 (3.77 to 8.24) 1.25 (1.15–1.35) <0.001 * 1.17 (1.07–1.27) <0.001 *
Control 2692/22,536 (11.9) 104,283 25.81 1 1
Male 0.001 *
Meniere’s disease 194/4690 (4.1) 26,878 7.22 2.61 (1.66 to 3.57) 1.56 (1.32–1.85) <0.001 * 1.44 (1.18–1.75) <0.001 *
Control 487/18,760 (2.6) 105,790 4.60 1 1
Female
Meniere’s disease 1072/4839 (22.2) 28,402 37.74 5.04 (2.66 to 7.42) 1.15 (1.08–1.23) <0.001 * 1.08 (1.00–1.16) 0.060
Control 3800/19,356 (19.6) 116,186 32.71 1 1
Low income 0.516
Meniere’s disease 629/4225 (14.9) 24,633 25.53 3.74 (1.64 to 5.84) 1.18 (1.08–1.30) <0.001 * 1.08 (0.97–1.19) 0.166
Control 2145/16,900 (12.7) 98,415 21.80 1 1
High income
Meniere’s disease 637/5304 (12.0) 30,647 20.79 3.45 (1.77 to 5.13) 1.22 (1.11–1.33) <0.001 * 1.16 (1.05–1.28) 0.005 *
Control 2142/21,216 (10.1) 123,561 17.34 1 1
Urban residents 0.410
Meniere’s disease 467/4087 (11.4) 24,815 18.82 2.19 (0.37 to 4.01) 1.14 (1.03–1.26) 0.013 * 1.10 (0.97–1.24) 0.126
Control 1638/16,348 (10.0) 98,485 16.63 1 1
Rural residents
Meniere’s disease 799/5442 (14.7) 30,465 26.23 4.78 (2.90 to 6.65) 1.24 (1.14–1.34) <0.001 * 1.13 (1.03–1.24) <0.001 *
Control 2649/21,768 (12.2) 123,491 21.45 1 1
Nonsmoker or Past smoker 0.002 *
Meniere’s disease 1247/9461 (13.2) 54,747 22.78 2.96 (1.62 to 4.30) 1.19 (1.12–1.27) <0.001 * 1.11 (1.03–1.19) 0.006 *
Control 4209/37,140 (11.3) 212,367 19.82 1 1
Current smoker
Meniere’s disease 19/68 (27.9) 533 35.65 27.53 (19.00 to 36.06) 2.71 (1.33–5.56) 0.006 * 2.40 (0.97–5.94) 0.057
Control 78/976 (8.0) 9609 8.12 1 1
Alcohol consumption < 1 time a week 0.375
Meniere’s disease 1078/6234 (17.3) 39,023 27.62 2.92 (1.15 to 4.69) 1.19 (1.11–1.27) <0.001 * 1.09 (1.01–1.18) 0.026
Control 3714/23,822 (15.6) 150,315 24.71 1 1
Alcohol consumption ≥ 1 time a week
Meniere’s disease 188/3295 (5.7) 16,257 11.56 3.57 (1.98 to 5.15) 1.28 (1.08–1.51) 0.005 * 1.26 (1.04–1.53) 0.018
Control 573/14,294 (4.0) 71,661 8.00 1 1
Underweight 0.123
Meniere’s disease 40/185 (21.6) 939 42.60 15.79 (3.66 to 27.92) 1.52 (0.99–2.34) 0.055 1.18 (0.68–2.04) 0.555
Control 117/889 (13.2) 4364 26.81 1 1
Normal weight
Meniere’s disease 439/3017 (14.6) 17,402 25.23 4.63 (2.22 to 7.03) 1.21 (1.09–1.35) <0.001 * 1.11 (0.99–1.26) 0.083
Control 1593/13,246 (12.0) 77,328 20.60 1 1
Overweight
Meniere’s disease 352/2578 (13.7) 14,667 24.00 5.96 (3.47 to 8.46) 1.35 (1.19–1.52) <0.001 * 1.26 (1.10–1.46) 0.001 *
Control 1102/10,333 (10.7) 61,097 18.04 1 1
Obese
Meniere’s disease 435/3749 (11.6) 22,272 19.53 0.90 (−1.14 to 2.94) 1.10 (0.99–1.23) 0.082 1.00 (0.88–1.13) 0.955
Control 1475/13,648 (10.8) 79,187 18.63 1 1
SBP < 140 mmHg and DBP < 90 mmHg 0.604
Meniere’s disease 973/7530 (12.9) 43,501 22.37 3.13 (1.64 to 4.62) 1.21 (1.13–1.30) <0.001 * 1.13 (1.04–1.22) 0.005 *
Control 3141/28,886 (10.9) 163,298 19.23 1 1
SBP ≥ 140 mmHg or DBP ≥ 90 mmHg
Meniere’s disease 293/1999 (14.7) 11,779 24.87 5.34 (2.52 to 8.17) 1.15 (1.01–1.31) 0.037 0.99 (0.86–1.15) 0.922
Control 1146/9230 (12.4) 58,678 19.53 1 1
Fasting blood glucose < 100 mg/dL <0.001 *
Meniere’s disease 785/4870 (16.1) 27,581 28.46 7.93 (6.03 to 9.84) 1.37 (1.26–1.48) <0.001 * 1.21 (1.11–1.32) <0.001 *
Control 2910/22,776 (12.8) 141,761 20.53 1 1
Fasting blood glucose ≥ 100 mg/dL
Meniere’s disease 481/4659 (10.3) 27,699 17.37 0.20 (−1.59 to 1.99) 1.04 (0.94–1.15) 0.478 0.99 (0.87–1.11) 0.827
Control 1377/15,340 (9.0) 80,215 17.17 1 1
Total cholesterol < 200 mg/dL <0.001 *
Meniere’s disease 629/5671 (11.1) 33,282 18.90 1.40 (−0.22 to 3.03) 1.07 (0.98–1.17) 0.141 1.01 (0.91–1.12) 0.800
Control 2068/20,579 (10.0) 118,204 17.50 1 1
Total cholesterol ≥ 200 mg/dL
Meniere’s disease 637/3858 (16.5) 21,998 28.96 7.57 (5.38 to 9.77) 1.36 (1.25–1.49) 1.24 (1.12–1.37) <0.001 *
Control 2219/17,537 (12.7) 103,772 21.38 1 1

Abbreviation: IR, incidence rate; IRD, incidence rate difference; SBP, systolic blood pressure; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; PY. person-year; * Significance at p < 0.05. Adjusted for age, sex, income, region of residence, SBP, DBP, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, CCI scores, dyslipidemia, benign paroxysmal vertigo, vestibular neuronitis, and other types of peripheral vertigo.

Figure 3.

Figure 3

Figure 3

(a) Adjusted hazard ratios of osteoporosis in Meniere’s disease patients according to age, sex, income, region, smoking status, alcohol consumption, obesity, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and total cholesterol (b) Adjusted hazard ratios of Meniere’s disease in osteoporosis patients according to age, sex, income, region, smoking status, alcohol consumption, obesity, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and total cholesterol.

In study II, 3.7% of the osteoporosis patients and 2.0% of the control II group had MD (sd = 0.10, Table 3). The histories of BPPV, VN, and other types of peripheral vertigo were more frequent in the osteoporosis group than in the control II group.

Table 3.

General Characteristics of the Participants.

Characteristics Total Participants
Osteoporosis
(n, %)
Control
(n, %)
Standardized
Difference
Age (years old) 0.00
40–44 1000 (1.5) 1000 (1.5)
45–49 5010 (7.6) 5010 (7.6)
50–54 11,850 (18.0) 11,850 (18.0)
55–59 14,944 (22.7) 14,944 (22.7)
60–64 13,199 (20.0) 13,199 (20.0)
65–69 6950 (10.6) 6950 (10.6)
70–74 6607 (10.0) 6607 (10.0)
75–79 4229 (6.4) 4229 (6.4)
80–84 1731 (2.6) 1731 (2.6)
85+ 338 (0.5) 338 (0.5)
Sex 0.00
Male 11,749 (17.8) 11,749 (17.8)
Female 54,109 (82.2) 54,109 (82.2)
Income
1 (lowest) 12,421 (18.9) 12,421 (18.9)
2 9987 (15.2) 9987 (15.2)
3 10,829 (16.4) 10,829 (16.4)
4 13,376 (20.3) 13,376 (20.3)
5 (highest) 19,245 (29.2) 19,245 (29.2)
Region of residence 0.00
Urban 27,896 (42.4) 27,896 (42.4)
Rural 37,962 (57.6) 37,962 (57.6)
Obesity 0.16
Underweight 2826 (4.3) 1545 (2.4)
Normal 25,405 (38.6) 22,504 (34.2)
Overweight 16,515 (25.1) 17,308 (26.3)
Obese I 18,836 (28.6) 21,581 (32.8)
Obese II 2276 (3.5) 2920 (4.4)
Smoking status 0.20
Nonsmoker 58,740 (89.2) 58,076(88.2)
Past smoker 5150 (7.8) 3388(5.1)
Current smoker 1968 (3.0) 4394(6.7)
Alcohol consumption
<1 time a week 55,978 (85.0) 53,924(81.9)
≥1 time a week 9880 (15.0) 11,934(18.1)
Systolic blood pressure 0.04
<120 mmHg 20,144 (30.6) 19,771(30.0)
120–139 mmHg 32,475 (49.3) 29,094(44.2)
≥140 mmHg 20,144 (30.6) 16,993(25.8)
Diastolic blood pressure 0.25
<80 mmHg 39,450 (59.9) 30,318(46.0)
80–89 mmHg 19,893 (30.2) 22,020(33.4)
≥90 mmHg 6515 (9.9) 13,520(20.5)
Fasting blood glucose 0.04
<100 mg/dL 37,846 (57.5) 42,460 (64.5)
100–125 mg/dL 21,848 (33.2) 17,168 (26.1)
≥126 mg/dL 6164 (9.4) 6230 (9.5)
Total cholesterol 0.23
<200 mg/dL 37,697 (57.2) 31,720 (48.2)
200–239 mg/dL 19,550 (29.7) 22,908 (34.8)
≥240 mg/dL 8611 (13.1) 11,230 (17.1)
CCI score 0.13
0 36,787 (55.9) 40,072 (60.9)
1 12,023 (18.3) 10,153 (15.4)
≥2 17,048 (25.9) 15,633 (23.7)
Dyslipidemia 41,037 (62.3) 33,512 (50.9) 0.23
Benign paroxysmal vertigo 13,651 (20.7) 9551 (14.5) 0.16
Vestibular neuronitis 3646 (5.5) 2426 (3.7) 0.09
Other peripheral vertigo 10,765 (16.4) 7325 (11.1) 0.15
Meniere’s disease 2441 (3.7) 1339 (2.0) 0.10

Abbreviations: CCI, Charlson comorbidity index. SD, standard deviation. Obesity (BMI, body mass index, kg/m2) was categorized as <18.5 (underweight), from 18.5 to <23 (normal), from 23 to <25 (overweight), from 25 to <30 (obese I), and ≥30 (obese II).

MD was associated with an increased risk of osteoporosis (Table 4 and Figure 2b). The patients with osteoporosis had a 1.50 times higher risk of previous MD than the control II group (95% CI = 1.40–1.61, p < 0.001). Interaction analyses demonstrated significant interactions between osteoporosis and smoking, alcohol consumption, fast blood glucose, and total cholesterol levels. A higher risk of osteoporosis associated with prior MD was maintained in all subgroups except for the underweight group (Table 4 and Figure 3b).

Table 4.

Crude and adjusted hazard ratios of osteoporosis for osteoporosis in subgroups according to age, sex, income, region, smoking status, alcohol consumption, obesity, blood pressure, fasting blood glucose, and total cholesterol.

N of Event/
N of Total (%)
F/U
Duration
(PY)
IR per 1000
(PY)
IRD
(95% CI)
Hazard Ratios
Crude p-Value Adjusted p-Value p for
Interaction
Total
Osteoporosis 2441/65,858 (3.7) 686,328 3.56 1.51 (1.34 to 1.69) 1.74 (1.63–1.86) <0.001 * 1.50 (1.40–1.61) <0.001 *
Control 1339/65,858 (2.0) 655,747 2.04 1 1
Age < 65 years old
Osteoporosis 1171/32,804 (3.6) 365,188 3.21 1.26 (1.02 to 1.49) 1.64 (1.50–1.81) <0.001 * 1.47 (1.33–1.62) <0.001 * 0.310
Control 706/32,804 (2.2) 362,009 1.95 1 1
Age ≥ 65 years old
Osteoporosis 1270/33,054 (3.8) 321,140 3.95 1.80 (1.52 to 2.08) 1.85 (1.68–2.03) <0.001 * 1.58 (1.42–1.74) <0.001 *
Control 633/33,054 (1.9) 293,738 2.15 1 1
Male 0.223
Osteoporosis 308/11,749 (2.6) 83,587 3.68 1.68 (1.16 to 2.19) 1.84 (1.52–2.22) <0.001 * 1.59 (1.29–1.95) <0.001 *
Control 162/11,749 (1.4) 80,678 2.01 1 1
Female
Osteoporosis 2133/54,109 (3.9) 602,741 3.54 1.49 (1.30 to 1.68) 1.73 (1.61–1.86) <0.001 * 1.49 (1.38–1.60) <0.001 *
Control 1177/54,109 (2.2) 575,069 2.05 1 1
Low income 0.730
Osteoporosis 1223/33,237 (3.7) 344,847 3.55 1.53 (1.28 to 1.79) 1.76 (1.60–1.94) <0.001 * 1.48 (1.34–1.64) <0.001 *
Control 659/33,237 (2.0) 327,587 2.01 1 1
High income
Osteoporosis 1218/32,621 (3.7) 341,481 3.57 1.49 (1.24 to 1.75) 1.72 (1.57–1.89) <0.001 * 1.53 (1.38–1.68) <0.001 *
Control 680/32,621 (2.1) 328,160 2.07 1 1
Urban residents 0.543
Osteoporosis 986/27,896 (3.5) 294,122 3.35 1.45 (1.18 to 1.71) 1.76 (1.58–1.95) <0.001 * 1.54 (1.37–1.72) <0.001 *
Control 543/27,896 (1.9) 284,889 1.91 1 1
Rural residents
Osteoporosis 1455/37,962 (3.8) 392,206 3.71 1.56 (1.32 to 1.81) 1.73 (1.59–1.89) <0.001 * 1.49 (1.36–1.63) <0.001 *
Control 796/37,962 (2.1) 370,858 2.15 1 1
Nonsmoker or Past smoker <0.001 *
Osteoporosis 2381/63,890 (3.7) 671,791 3.54 1.46 (1.28 to 1.65) 1.70 (1.59–1.82) <0.001 * 1.47 (1.37–1.58) <0.001 *
Control 1289/61,464 (2.1) 619,678 2.08 1 1
Current smoker
Osteoporosis 60/1968 (3.0) 14,537 4.13 2.74 (1.84 to 3.64) 3.03 (2.05–4.47) <0.001 * 2.74 (1.78–4.20) <0.001 *
Control 50/4394 (1.1) 36,069 1.39 1 1
Alcohol consumption < 1 time a week <0.001 *
Osteoporosis 1898/55,978 (3.4) 593,096 3.20 1.16 (0.98 to 1.35) 1.57 (1.46–1.69) <0.001 * 1.37 (1.27–1.48) <0.001 *
Control 1161/53,924 (2.2) 569,883 2.04 1 1
Alcohol consumption ≥ 1 time a week
Osteoporosis 543/9880 (5.5) 93,232 5.82 3.75 (3.16 to 4.34) 2.83 (2.38–3.37) <0.001 * 2.45 (2.04–2.94) <0.001 *
Control 178/11,934 (1.5) 85,864 2.07 1 1
Under weight 0.712
Osteoporosis 63/2826 (2.2) 27,050 2.33 0.92 (−0.03 to 1.87) 1.56 (0.92–2.66) 0.101 1.24 (0.69–2.23) 0.471
Control 18/1545 (1.2) 12,782 1.41 1 1
Normal weight
Osteoporosis 893/25,405 (3.5) 257,394 3.47 1.50 (1.20 to 1.80) 1.74 (1.55–1.95) <0.001 * 1.46 (1.29–1.64) <0.001 *
Control 426/22,504 (1.9) 216,567 1.97 1 1
Overweight
Osteoporosis 672/16,515 (4.1) 172,858 3.89 1.71 (1.35 to 2.08) 1.78 (1.57–2.02) <0.001 * 1.62 (1.42–1.85) <0.001 *
Control 376/17,308 (2.2) 172,944 2.17 1 1
Obese
Osteoporosis 813/21,112 (3.9) 229,026 3.55 1.50 (1.21 to 1.80) 1.73 (1.55–1.93) <0.001 * 1.48 (1.32–1.67) <0.001 *
Control 519/24,501 (2.1) 253,454 2.05 1 1
SBP < 140 mmHg and DBP < 90 mmHg 0.076
Osteoporosis 1884/51,259 (3.7) 529,039 3.56 1.44 (1.23 to 1.66) 1.68 (1.55–1.81) <0.001 * 1.37 (1.27–1.49) <0.001 *
Control 947/46,032 (2.1) 447,432 2.12 1 1
SBP ≥ 140 mmHg or DBP ≥ 90 mmHg
Osteoporosis 557/14,599 (3.8) 157,289 3.54 1.66 (1.33 to 1.99) 1.87 (1.64–2.13) <0.001 * 1.59 (1.39–1.82) <0.001 *
Control 392/19,826 (2.0) 208,315 1.88 1 1
Fasting blood glucose < 100 mg/dL <0.001 *
Osteoporosis 1517/37,846 (4.0) 389,966 3.89 1.88 (1.65 to 2.11) 1.95 (1.79–2.11) <0.001 * 1.67 (1.53–1.82) <0.001 *
Control 879/42,460 (2.1) 437,869 2.01 1 1
Fasting blood glucose ≥ 100 mg/dL
Osteoporosis 924/28,012 (3.3) 296,362 3.12 1.01 (0.72 to 1.29) 1.48 (1.32–1.66) <0.001 * 1.26 (1.12–1.42) <0.001 *
Control 460/23,398 (2.0) 217,878 2.11 1 1
Total cholesterol < 200 mg/dL <0.001 *
Osteoporosis 1287/37,697 (3.4) 393,783 3.27 1.18 (0.93 to 1.42) 1.52 (1.38–1.68) <0.001 * 1.29 (1.17–1.43) <0.001 *
Control 641/31,720 (2.0) 306,281 2.09 1 1
Total cholesterol ≥ 200 mg/dL
Osteoporosis 1154/28,161 (4.1) 292,545 3.94 1.95 (1.68 to 2.21) 2.04 (1.86–2.24) <0.001 * 1.77 (1.60–1.95) <0.001 *
Control 698/34,138 (2.0) 349,466 2.00 1 1

Abbreviation: IR, incidence rate; IRD, incidence rate difference; SBP, systolic blood pressure; DBP, diastolic blood pressure; PY. person-year; * Significance at p < 0.05. Adjusted for age, sex, income, region of residence, SBP, DBP, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, CCI scores, dyslipidemia, benign paroxysmal vertigo, vestibular neuronitis, and other types of peripheral vertigo.

4. Discussion

A previous history of osteoporosis was related to a higher risk of subsequent MD in the present study. On the other hand, a prior history of MD was associated with a greater risk of osteoporosis. In particular, the risk of osteoporosis in patients with MD was as high as 1.50 in multivariable analysis. Thus, a potential risk of osteoporosis should be considered in patients with MD in the clinic. The current results enlarged previous knowledge on the association of MD with osteoporosis by elucidating the temporal relation between the two diseases.

Decreased bone mineral density in patients with MD has been documented [16]. As many as 74% of patients with MD had T-scores less than −1.0, a value found in 39% of the control participants [16]. However, this study was limited due to the small study population (23 MD patients and 23 controls) [16]. Although no other study has evaluated the association between osteoporosis and MD, prior researchers have reported impaired vestibular dysfunction and cochlear impairment in patients with osteoporosis [10,17,18]. The patients with low bone mineral density in the older population demonstrated a 3.72 times (95% CI = 1.07–12.85) higher rate of balance impairment and a 5.30 times (1.20–23.26) higher rate of hearing impairment [17]. The plausible pathophysiologic mechanism involves the fact that bone remodeling can induce resorption of the bony labyrinth and otoconial dislodgement, which will result in dysfunction of the cochleovestibular organ [18].

Patients with MD demonstrated an increased risk of osteoporosis in study II. The altered vestibular function in patients with MD could impact bone remodeling regulation. The vestibular system regulates the equilibrium function via innervation to the brainstem and cerebellum and can influence physical activity and the risk of falls. In addition, the vestibular connection with the brainstem autonomic system was suggested to regulate the cardiovascular function and bone homeostasis via sympathetic nerve regulation [11]. To support this hypothesis, in animal studies, vestibular dysfunction decreased the bone mass, which was prevented with sympathetic blockers or genetic deletion of the adrenergic receptor in osteoblasts [19,20]. Moreover, the increase in bone mineral content according to gravity change was shown to be mediated by vestibular function in a mouse study [21]. In that study, vestibular dysfunction inhibited the growth of bone mass related to hypergravity [21]. Therefore, it can be presumed that the vestibular function may have a crucial role in maintaining the bone mass and that vestibular dysfunction in patients with MD may increase the risk of bone loss and osteoporosis.

Furthermore, patients with osteoporosis reported a high risk of MD (study I). However, the risk was not great in this study (adjusted HR = 1.12). A decreased bone mineral density could increase the risk of otoconial dysfunction, which was suggested as one of the pathophysiologic mechanisms of MD [7]. Detached saccular otoconia obstructing the endolymphatic flow of the inner ear were suggested to induce MD [7,22]. Prior researchers documented a high risk of otoconial detachment or degeneration associated with osteoporosis [23]. Thus, otoconial dislodgement can be one of the possible causes of MD in patients with osteoporosis. Furthermore, the high concentration of free calcium ions in patients with osteoporosis can decrease the capacity of dissolving the dislodged otoconia [24].

The present study analyzed a large nationwide adult population in Korea. Control participants were selected based on matching variables, and selection bias was attenuated by random selection among a large cohort population. The laboratory measured data of SBP, DBP, serum glucose level, and cholesterol level were adjusted, and comorbidities were adjusted using the CCI score. In addition, lifestyle factors of smoking, alcohol consumption, and obesity were examined and adjusted. These variables can be related to osteoporosis and MD. For instance, obesity was suggested to be associated with osteoporosis in a previous study [25]. The variables analyzed in the current study can be further evaluated using a machine learning analysis in order to understand which are the main predictors of osteoporosis in MD. Because the health claim data did not include the results of vestibular and audiometric tests, the type and severity of MD could not be assessed in this study. To attenuate the misdiagnosis of MD and the confounding effect of other vestibular disorders, BPPV, VN, and other types of peripheral vertigo were evaluated. For osteoporosis, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry results and medication histories could not be evaluated. Because asymptomatic patients with osteoporosis can remain undiagnosed before the occurrence of an osteoporotic fracture, a selection bias is possible in our health claim cohort. Patients with MD can be prone to falls, which may mediate the current relationship between osteoporosis and MD. Because there are age- or sex-specific features for both osteoporosis and MD, there may be an age- or sex-specific relationship between osteoporosis and MD. However, the large number of participants in the current study resulted in a significant association between osteoporosis and MD in most subgroups. Forthcoming studies on the impact of the treatment of osteoporosis on MD and on the influence of MD management or types of MD on osteoporosis can solve the current limitations.

5. Conclusions

Patients with MD showed a high rate of subsequent occurrence of osteoporosis. In addition, patients with osteoporosis showed a greater rate of MD occurrence. Clinicians need to consider this reciprocal association when managing patients with MD and osteoporosis.

Author Contributions

H.G.C. designed the study; D.M.Y. and H.G.C. analyzed the data; S.Y.K., J.C., C.H.L. and H.G.C. drafted and revised the paper; and H.G.C. drew the figures. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Institutional Review Board Statement

The ethics committee of Hallym University (2019-10-023, ethical approval date: 12 November 2019) permitted this study following guidelines and regulations.

Informed Consent Statement

Written informed consent was waived by the Institutional Review Board.

Data Availability Statement

Releasing of the data by the researcher is not legally permitted. All data are available from the database of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention allows data access, at a particular cost, for any researcher who promises to follow the research ethics. The data of this article can be downloaded from the website after agreeing to follow the research ethics.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Funding Statement

This work was supported in part by a research grant (NRF-2020R1A2C212660 and NRF-2020R1A2C4002594) from the National Research Foundation (NRF) grant funded by the Korean government (MSIT).

Footnotes

Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

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Associated Data

This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.

Data Availability Statement

Releasing of the data by the researcher is not legally permitted. All data are available from the database of the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention allows data access, at a particular cost, for any researcher who promises to follow the research ethics. The data of this article can be downloaded from the website after agreeing to follow the research ethics.


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