Idiopathic intracranial hypertension in the British population with obesity

Published Date: 20th February 2019

Publication Authors: Muttoni E

Purpose

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a syndrome that is characterized by persistently high intracranial pressure and associated with high rates of morbidity and visual loss. Its exact etiology and clinical picture is poorly understood, but it is known to be associated with obesity. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence and clinical manifestations of IIH using a large nationwide database of British subjects.

Materials and methods

The anonymized healthcare records of patients with a BMI of ≥ 30 kg/m2 were extracted from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD), and analyzed.

Results

The patients with IIH were older and more likely to have peripheral vascular disease, ischemic heart disease, and anemia; to have had a previous myocardial infarction; and have used non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and steroids. Multivariate analysis with adjustment for confounders showed that anemia (p = 0.033) and the use of NSAIDs (p = 0.011) were the only factors independently associated with IIH. Increases in BMI beyond the threshold of obesity did not independently increase risk of IIH.

Conclusions

Subcutaneous heparin injections can salvage the replanted digits when venous congestion is a warning flag for replantation failure. It is safe and very efficient in patients where systemic heparin cannot be administered. However, this article shows the results in only thirteen patients which is a small number to show the efficacy, safety, and side effects.

 

Moussa, O; Tang, A; Muttoni, E; Ziprin, P; Purkayastha, S. (2018). Idiopathic intracranial hypertension in the British population with obesity . Acta Neurochirurgica. 16 (2), p239-246

« Back