Mode
Text Size
Log in / Sign up

Spring and autumn linked to higher Ménière disease occurrence vs summer in large meta-analysisSeasonal changes linked to more frequent Meniere disease flare ups

AI-generated summary of the cited source, checked by automated accuracy review. How we work

Key Takeaway
Consider seasonal variation when counseling patients with Ménière disease, but recognize the evidence is limited.

This meta-analysis examined seasonal patterns in Ménière disease (MD) occurrence using data from 1,001,636 participants. The analysis compared spring, winter, and autumn to summer as the reference season.

Key findings include a slightly higher occurrence of MD in spring (OR 1.03, 95% CI 1.02–1.04) and autumn (OR 1.04, 95% CI 0.85–1.26) compared to summer, while winter showed a lower occurrence (OR 0.92, 95% CI 0.91–0.93). The autumn result was not statistically significant given the wide confidence interval crossing 1.0.

The authors note limitations including a limited number of included studies and geographic concentration in European and Asian populations, which may affect the generalizability of the findings. The association between seasonal patterns and MD occurrence suggests a potential role of environmental factors in the pathophysiology of MD, but causality cannot be inferred from this observational data.

For clinicians, these findings may inform patient education and disease management strategies, but should be interpreted cautiously given the modest effect sizes and study limitations.

Living with Meniere disease can feel like a constant battle against unpredictable balance issues and dizzy spells. For many, these episodes don't just happen at random; they might follow the rhythm of the seasons. A large review of data involving over one million people looked for patterns in when symptoms occur.

The analysis found that patients experienced more frequent flare-ups during the spring and autumn months compared to the summer. While the numbers show a slight increase in these seasons, it is important to remember that this shows an association with the time of year rather than a proven cause. The study also noted fewer occurrences during the winter.

Because the data came from a limited number of studies and mostly focused on people in Europe and Asia, we should be cautious about how much these results apply to everyone. However, these findings could help doctors better educate patients about how environmental factors might play a role in managing their condition.

What this means for you:
Meniere disease symptoms may occur more frequently during spring and autumn than in the summer months.

Common questions

Do certain seasons make Meniere disease symptoms worse?

The data shows that there is a higher occurrence of Meniere disease symptoms in the spring and autumn when compared to the summer. While this suggests a link between the time of year and how often symptoms happen, it does not prove that the weather or season causes the condition.

How many people were included in this study?

The analysis looked at data from 1,001,636 participants. This large number of people helps identify patterns in how Meniere disease symptoms behave across different seasons, specifically showing more occurrences in spring and autumn than in summer.

Is this finding certain for everyone?

The certainty of these results is limited because the data came from a small number of studies and mostly involved people in Europe and Asia. Because of this geographic concentration, you should talk to your doctor about how these patterns might affect you personally.

Study Details

Study typeMeta analysis
EvidenceLevel 1
PublishedJul 2026
View Original Abstract ↓
BackgroundThe relationship between seasonal variation and Ménière disease (MD) has not been fully elucidated. This meta-analysis aimed to investigate the association between seasonal patterns and the occurrence of MD.MethodsWe systematically searched relevant observational studies in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, and major Chinese databases from inception to July 2025. The subjects included in the study were patients with MD. Seasonal occurrence of MD was the primary outcome. Study quality was assessed using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) and the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) critical appraisal scale. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated using Stata 18.0, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I2 statistic.ResultsA total of five observational studies involving 1,001,636 participants were included in the meta-analysis. With summer as the reference, ORs for spring, winter and autumn were 1.03 (95% CI 1.02–1.04), 0.92 (95% CI 0.91–0.93) and 1.04 (95% CI 0.85–1.26), respectively. Subgroup and sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of the findings, showing that the overall estimate was not fully driven by one single study.ConclusionOur meta-analysis suggests that the occurrence of MD may exhibit seasonal variation across published studies, with seasonal fluctuations characterized by slightly higher occurrence in spring and declining occurrence in winter. The finding may inform patient education and disease management strategies and provide a potential role of environmental factors in the pathophysiology of MD. However, given the limited number of included studies and their geographic concentration in European and Asian populations, further high-quality studies conducted across diverse geographic regions are needed to provide more solid evidence.Systematic review registrationPROSPERO, (CRD420261348182).
Free Newsletter

Clinical research that matters. Delivered to your inbox.

Join thousands of clinicians and researchers. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.