Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension in the Northwest of Northern Ireland: Epidemiology and Clinical Management.

BACKGROUND

There is limited literature on the epidemiology of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). The diagnosis and management of IIH require a multidisciplinary approach. We sought to study the incidence as well as prevalence of IIH and to evaluate the current management of IIH in the northwest of Northern Ireland.

METHODS

Medical records of patients diagnosed with IIH between 2007 and 2014 in a general hospital in Northern Ireland were reviewed. Clinical and outcome data were retrieved.

RESULTS

There were 45 patients with IIH, 44 women: 1 man. The mean age at presentation was 29.4 (SD 9.8) years and mean body mass index (BMI) 39.8 (SD 9.5) kg/ m(2). All patients had neuroimaging, 44 (98%) had CT/MR venogram and 41 (91%) had visual perimetry. The crude incidence of IIH was 2.36 per 100,000 (95% CI 1.65-3.37). For women, the incidence was 4.65 per 100,000/year (95% CI 3.25-6.66). The prevalence was 14.3 per 100,000 overall (95% CI 9.72-20.9) but 28.1 per 100,000 in women (95% CI 19.2-41.2). Visual field defects were identified in 25 of 41 (61%); 4 patients (9%) required shunting procedures. At follow-up, the mean BMI decreased by 1.6 kg/m(2) (p = 0.024).

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of IIH in the northwest of Northern Ireland is among the highest ever reported and probably reflects the known increase in obesity.