Seasonal variation in vestibular neuritis in Korea: a nationwide population-based cohort study

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate seasonal variation in the incidence of vestibular neuritis (VN) without recent steroid treatments using nationwide health insurance data. The aim of the study is to elucidate whether seasonal trends can inform optimized diagnostic and treatment strategies for VN.Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted using data from the Health Insurance Review and Assessment Service (HIRA) in South Korea from 2007 to 2022. Patients diagnosed with VN were identified using specific operational criteria. Seasonal trends were evaluated by analyzing monthly, quarterly, and seasonal variations in VN incidence, stratified by age and sex. Results: Out of 237,673 VN patients identified, our analysis revealed significant seasonal variations in incidence, with a notable decline during winter months—especially in February—and an increase during the spring. These patterns were consistent across sex and age groups. Conclusions: This nationwide study demonstrates that VN exhibits distinct seasonal variations that have significant implications for clinical practice. These results indicate a potential influence of seasonal factors on the occurrence of VN and contribute to more efficient allocation of healthcare resources. Future prospective studies are warranted to further elucidate the mechanisms behind these seasonal differences.