Analysis of Risk Factors in Patients With Peripheral Vertigo or Central Vertigo

This study was aimed to determine risk factors for central vertigo (CV) in patients with isolated vertigo accompanied by hearing loss or not.

Patients with CV or peripheral vertigo (PV) who were admitted to our hospital between January 2014 and July 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. All patients underwent thorough physical examination with detailed medical histories recorded, including smoking, hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and stroke history. Logistic regression estimated odds ratio (OR) of the risk factors.

Eighty-seven patients were enrolled into the study, including 41 cases of CV and 46 cases of PV. There was significant difference in sex, age above 60, hypertension, diabetes, smoking, and stroke history between the 2 groups. The patients without any risk factors did not have CV. The risk for CV in the patients with ≥3 risk factors was greater (OR, 11.43; 95% confidence interval, 3.27-39.93; P<0.001) than the patients with 1 risk factor. The risk for CV in the patients with 2 risk factors was similar (OR, 0.833; 95% confidence interval, 0.17-4.28; P=0.825) to the patients with 1 risk factor.

The patients with isolated vertigo (accompanied by hearing loss or not) and 3 or more risk factors are at higher risk for CV. They should have a comprehensive neurological examination and be closely followed up.