Evaluation of predictive factors of idiopathic intracranial hypertension in different clinics.

PURPOSE: Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension (IIH) is marked by elevated intracranial pressure without an identifiable cause. This study aimed to compare predictive factors between two IIH groups: those experiencing remission (single attack) and those developing migrainous headaches, in order to identify factors influencing the disease's progression.

METHODS

This retrospective study was conducted after obtaining ethics committee approval. It involved 118 patients diagnosed with IIH who were followed up in the Neuro-ophthalmology outpatient clinic between 2011 and 2023. Data on demographics, clinical history, comorbidities, habits, neurologic and neuro-ophthalmologic findings, cranial imaging features, lumbar puncture opening pressure, and current medical treatments were collected to assess the clinical course and predictive factors. The analyzed parameters were compared between two subgroups: one experiencing remission (single attack) and the other developing migrainous headaches. Statistically significant parameters were subjected to univariate and multivariate analysis.

RESULTS

Of the 118 patients, 87 (73.7 %) were in the single-attack group, while 31 (26.3 %) were in the migrainous headache group. Key predictive factors identified between the groups were the presence of allodynia (p < 0.001), neck and back pain (p = 0.042), BMI > 27.8 kg/m² (p = 0.002), and a history of migraine (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Allodynia, neck and back pain, a history of migraine, and a BMI > 27.8 kg/m² were found to be predictive factors for the development of migrainous headaches in IIH patients. This is the first study in the literature to compare these two patient groups and identify the factors that contribute to the development of migrainous headaches.