Objective To explore the risk factors for the total cerebral small vessel disease (CSVD) burden in
patients with dizziness or vertigo.
Methods This retrospective study enrolled consecutive patients with dizziness or vertigo who were
admitted in Department of Neurology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University from
May 2021 to December 2021. All patients completed routine laboratory examination, vestibular
function examinations (including Dix-hallpike test or roll test) and brain MRI. The final diagnosis
and total CSVD burden score were recorded. The clinical data of patients in different load score
groups (0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 score groups) were compared. Logistic regression model was used to
identify the related risk factors of total CSVD burden in patients with dizziness or vertigo.
Results A total of 210 eligible patients were included, with an average age of 66.9±10.7 years
and 101 males (48.1%). Finally, there were 81 cases (38.6%) in 0 score group, 78 cases (37.1%)
in 1 score group, 23 cases (11.0%) in 2 score group, 19 cases (9.0%) in 3 score group and 9 cases
(4.3%) in 4 score group. Univariate analysis showed that there were statistical differences in age,
hypertension, diabetes, history of ischemic stroke, smoking, glycosylated hemoglobin and the
level of Hcy in different CSVD burden score groups. Logistic regression analysis showed that the
smoking (OR 2.386, 95%CI 1.232-4.623, P =0.010) and hypertension (OR 1.979, 95%CI 1.084-3.612,
P =0.026) were independent risk factors of total CSVD burden in patients with dizziness or vertigo.
Conclusions Smoking and hypertension were independent risk factors for the total CSVD burden
in patients with dizziness or vertigo.
