Vertigo Presentations to the Emergency Departments in Mersin, Türkiye: Demographics, Etiologic and Clinical Patterns.

OBJECTIVE

To describe the demographic characteristics, symptom profiles, comorbidities, investigation patterns, and treatments of patients presenting with vertigo at emergency departments in Mersin, Türkiye, and to identify predictors of advanced imaging (CT and/or MRI).

METHODS

A retrospective review of 4656 de-identified emergency department cases admitted between 2022 and 2025 was performed. Variables included age, sex, comorbidities (diabetes, hypertension, infection), symptoms (imbalance, tinnitus, nausea), laboratory risk factors (high hematocrit, high cholesterol, high lipid profile), diagnostic workup (audiometry, CT, MRI), and treatments (medical therapy, maneuvers, hyperbaric oxygen). Multivariable logistic regression was used to evaluate predictors of advanced imaging.

RESULTS

The mean age was 53.0 ± 19.3 years (median 54, IQR 37-70); 2742 (58.9%) were female. Hypertension was recorded in 1303 (28.0%) and diabetes in 976 (21.0%). Advanced imaging (CT/MRI) was documented in 1314 (28.2%). In adjusted analysis, age and cardiometabolic risk factors were associated with increased odds of advanced imaging.

CONCLUSION

ED vertigo cases in Mersin mainly affect middle-aged to older adults and often occur alongside cardiometabolic comorbidities. The use of advanced imaging correlates with age and the number of risk factors, supporting structured ED risk assessment.