Psychiatric Comorbidities in Patients With Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: A Prospective Cohort Study

Calcitonin gene-related peptide in newly diagnosed idiopathic intracranial hypertension: a prospective, cross-sectional, case-control study of cerebrospinal fluid and plasma

BACKGROUND

Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide (CGRP) is involved in migraine pain signaling, and blockage hereof is effective in migraine treatment. Headache in idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is often migraine-like but the underlying mechanisms are not understood. We report levels of CGRP in plasma and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of patients with newly diagnosed IIH to elucidate CGRP involvement in the pathogenesis of headache in IIH.

METHOD

We consecutively enrolled patients suspected of having IIH in a prospective cohort at two Danish tertiary headache centers. Patients are confirmed to have IIH or disproven of it (non-IIH). We included non-IIH with primary headache disorders as headache controls to IIH cases. We also recruited sex-, age- and BMI-matched healthy controls (HC). All participants had CSF and blood drawn and CGRP was analyzed using a validated radioimmunoassay. CSF plasma-ratios were calculated. Between-group levels were compared with ANOVA or Kruskal-Walli's test. In sub-analyses we restricted comparison of HC to non-IIH/IIH with chronic migraine; we also compared IIH with versus without headache. We correlated CGRP to lumbar opening pressure (OP), and BMI, and assessed the correlation between CGRP in plasma and CSF. Generalized or linear regression was applied to adjust for confounding by BMI, age, and active smoking.

RESULTS

Comparing 97 patients with IIH, 52 non-IIH, and 37 HC, we found no between-group differences in CGRP levels in plasma (p = 0.78), CSF (p = 0.79), or in CSF:plasma-ratio (p = 0.13). Adjusting for BMI, age, and smoking yielded similar results. CGRP levels were neither associated with having a migraine phenotype or chronic headache, nor with having any headache versus no headache in IIH. CGRP in plasma correlated with CGRP in CSF (p < 0.0001). CGRP did not correlate with OP or BMI.

CONCLUSION

CGRP levels in plasma and CSF and their ratios were comparable in IIH, non-IIH patients with headache, and sex-, age-, and BMI-matched HC. CGRP in plasma correlated with CGRP in CSF. Due to methodology, we probably measured basal resting CGRP. The role of CGRP in IIH-headache needs further clarification. A headache preventive effect in IIH of anti-CGRP targeted therapy remains a relevant unexplored area.

Longitudinal visual outcomes in idiopathic intracranial hypertension: the role of early prognostic indicators and risk stratification in disease management

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is increasingly prevalent, yet longitudinal outcome data are scarce. This study aimed to characterise demographic and longitudinal clinical changes in a cohort of patients with IIH.

METHODS

Retrospective cohort analysis on adult patients diagnosed with IIH (Friedman criteria) enrolled in the neuro-ophthalmology database (NODE) across two tertiary centres. Baseline demographic data was obtained at first assessment, with clinical and paraclinical outcomes collected longitudinally. Multivariable statistical analysis identified factors associated with poorer visual outcomes.

RESULTS

A total of 221 patients were included. 91.8% were female (ratio 11:1). Mean age at presentation was 29.2 ± 8.1 years with mean body mass index (kg/m2) at diagnosis of 38.7 ± 9.4. Headache was the most common symptom. Papilloedema was found in 95.5% of patients at baseline. Mean CSF opening pressure was 32.67 ± 6.85cmCSF (range 25-76). Visual outcomes remained stable over time. Trajectory plots showed no deviations in visual acuity, while regression models found no associations with sex, site or age. A higher retinal nerve fibre layer thickness and greater baseline Frisen grade were associated with worse outcomes. Baseline papilloedema grade and CSF opening pressure emerged as early prognostic indicators, aiding risk stratification for those with a greater probability of persistent optic nerve abnormalities including higher retinal nerve fibre layer elevation and sustained atrophic changes over time.

CONCLUSIONS

This study offers insights into visual outcomes in IIH, emphasising the importance of early recognition, risk stratification, and intervention in those with a more severe clinical phenotype at presentation.

Clinical outcomes of bariatric surgery in patients with obesity and idiopathic intracranial hypertension

INTRODUCTION

Obesity is a major risk factor for idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Effective therapeutics for preventing disease progression and alleviating symptoms are limited. This study aims to examine the effects of bariatric surgery on clinical outcomes of IIH.

METHODS

We retrospectively collected data from the medical record of 97 patients with obesity and an existing diagnosis of IIH who underwent primary bariatric surgery at the Cleveland Clinic health system in the USA between 2005 and 2023. Pre- and postoperative data on presence of symptoms and clinical markers of IIH (headaches, visual field defects, papilledema, visual symptoms), intracranial pressure, and usage of IIH medications were compared.

RESULTS

A total of 97 patients (98% female, median age 46.7 years, median BMI 48.3 kg/m2) with IIH who underwent bariatric surgery including Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (n = 66, 68%), sleeve gastrectomy (n = 27, 27.8%), and gastric banding (n = 4, 4.1%) were analyzed. In a median follow-up time of 3.0 years, the median total weight loss was 24% (interquartile range, 13-33%). There was a significant improvement in headache, papilledema, visual field deficits, and visual symptoms after bariatric surgery. The mean lumbar opening pressure before and after bariatric surgery was 34.8 ± 8.2 cm CSF and 24.2 ± 7.6 cm CSF, respectively, with a mean reduction of 10.7 cm CSF (95% confidence interval, 4.7 to 16.6), p = 0.003. The dosage of acetazolamide and topiramate, as well as the number of medications taken for IIH, decreased significantly after bariatric surgery (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

For patients who have obesity, bariatric surgery is a viable treatment modality for alleviation or improvement of symptoms of IIH.

Prevalence of Person-First Language in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: A Systematic Review of Case Reports

BACKGROUND

Person-first language (PFL) is a linguistic prescription, which places a person before their disease. It is considered an important tool to reduce stigma. However, PFL is not routinely used across the scientific literature, particularly in patients with overweight or obesity. Patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) face various stigmas through high rates of poverty, female gender, and frequent rates of comorbidities. Non-PFL language use intersects and worsen the health inequities faced by these patients.

METHODS

A systematic review of case reports. MEDLINE and EMBASE were searched for all case reports with "pseudotumor cerebri" [MESH] OR "Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension" as key word between January 1974 and August 2022. The primary criterion was the article's inclusion of patients with overweight or obesity. The secondary criterion was the article's discussion regarding obesity as risk factor. Articles not meeting primary or secondary criteria were excluded.

RESULTS

Approximately 514/716 (71.8%) articles used non-PFL language. The publication year was predictive of non-PFL language: 1976-1991 (82.3%) vs 1992-2007 (72.3%, P = 0.0394) and 2008-2022 (68.3%, P = 0.0056). Non-PFL was significantly higher in obesity compared with other medical conditions (60.3% vs 7.3%, P < 0.001). The patient gender ( P = 0.111) and ethnicity ( P = 0.697), author's specialty ( P = 0.298), and primary English-speaking status ( P = 0.231), as well as the journal's impact factor ( P = 0.795), were not predictive of non-PFL.

CONCLUSIONS

Most literature focused on IIH use non-PFL when discussing overweight or obesity, regardless of the patient's gender and ethnicity, journal's impact factor, senior author's specialty, and English-speaking status. Non-PFL use is much more common when discussing obesity compared with other medical conditions. Appropriate use of PFL can decrease stigma and, more importantly, decrease the intersectionality of health stigma faced by patients with IIH.

The Psychological and Cognitive Landscape of Adult Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension: A Scoping Review

Purpose of Review

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a chronic headache disorder with increasing prevalence. Although characterized by raised intracranial pressure causing papilledema with a risk of visual impairment, psychological symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment are frequently seen but are understudied and under-reported. Together, these can negatively affect quality of life. These were explored through a systematic PRISMA scoping review. OVID, EMBASE, Cochrane, and PubMed databases were searched in April 2023, limited to those in English and published during January 2000-March 2023. PROSPERO ID CRD42023399410.

Recent Findings

From 454 identified studies, 24 relevant articles were identified from a range of countries including the United Kingdom, the United States, Israel, Egypt, Canada, Germany, and Brazil. Data on study design, participants, tests performed, and outcomes were collated. There is a considerable burden of psychiatric, affective, and cognitive conditions, as well as impaired quality of life, in adult patients with IIH. Notably, these were independently correlated with the presence of headache in a number of studies and with obesity in others.

Summary

Aside from optimizing symptom control, including reducing the severity of headaches and protecting visual function, clinicians should be mindful of the biopsychosocial difficulties and potential cognitive impairments patients with IIH face. Assistance may be required with managing concurrent depression and anxiety, as well as optimizing cognitive function. Incorporating neuropsychological assessment and individualized management strategies may be beneficial at the point of diagnosis and throughout the illness.

An interdisciplinary integrated specialized one-stop outpatient clinic for idiopathic intracranial hypertension-a comprehensive assessment of clinical outcome

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Management of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is complex requiring multiple specialized disciplines. In practice, this creates considerable organizational and communicational challenges for healthcare professionals and patients. Thus, an interdisciplinary integrated outpatient clinic for IIH (comprising neurology, neuroophthalmology, neuroradiology, neurosurgery and endocrinology) was established with central coordination and a one-stop concept. Here, the aim was to evaluate the effects of this one-stop concept on objective clinical outcome.

METHODS

In a retrospective cohort study, the one-stop era with integrated care (IC) (1 July 2021 to 31 December 2022) was compared to a reference group receiving standard care (SC) (1 July 2018 to 31 December 2019) regarding visual impairment/worsening and headache improvement/freedom 6 months after diagnosis. Multivariate binary logistic regression models were used to adjust for confounders.

RESULTS

Baseline characteristics of the IC group (n = 85) and SC group (n = 81) were comparable (female 90.6% vs. 90.1%; mean age 33.6 vs. 32.8 years; median body mass index 31.8 vs. 33.0; median cerebrospinal fluid opening pressure 32 vs. 34 cmH2O; at diagnosis, visual impairment was present in 71.8% vs. 69.1% and chronic headache in 55.3% vs. 56.8% in IC vs. SC). IC was associated with a higher likelihood of achieving both headache improvement (odds ratio [OR] 2.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.52-4.33, p < 0.001) and headache freedom (OR 1.75, 95% CI 1.11-3.09, p = 0.031). Regarding the risk of visual impairment and visual worsening IC was superior numerically but not statistically significantly (OR 0.87, 95% CI 0.69-1.16, p = 0.231, and OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.41-1.25, p = 0.354).

CONCLUSIONS

Interdisciplinary integrated care of IIH is favourably associated with headache outcomes and potentially also visual outcomes.

Anemia and idiopathic intracranial hypertension: a prospective study

BACKGROUND

Anemia has been temporally associated with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH), but the relationship is uncertain because of a lack of prospective studies and because both IIH and anemia are common in young women with obesity.

DESIGN AND METHODS

This was a prospective study of consecutive patients with IIH referred to 3 neuro-ophthalmology centres between March 2021 and September 2022. All patients had a complete blood count available within 6 months of presentation. Anemia was defined as mild (110-120 g/L), moderate (80-109 g/L), and severe (<80 g/L).

RESULTS

Of 143 patients, 113 had normal hemoglobin (group 1) and 30 had anemia (group 2). In group 2, the anemia was defined as mild (15 of 30; 50.0%), moderate (11 of 30; 36.7%), and severe (4 of 30; 13.3%). There was no difference in female sex (105 of 113 vs 29 of 30; p = 0.453), age (31.5 ± 9.2 years vs 28.5 ± 10.3 years; p = 0.144), and body mass index (35.2 ± 6.9 kg/m2 vs 38.0 ± 8.1 kg/m2; p = 0.111). Groups 1 and 2 did not differ in visual acuity (0.04 ± 0.09 logMAR vs 0.07 ± 0.14 logMAR; p = 0.377), retinal nerve fibre layer thickness (174.5 ± 68.4 μm vs 206.5 ± 97.0 μm; p = 0.098), mean deviation (-3.2 ± 3.1 dB vs -3.9 ± 3.4 dB; p = 0.180), and the need for medical (34 of 113 vs 8 of 30; p = 0.715) or surgical treatment (3 of 113 vs 3 of 30; p = 0.074). Patients with moderate to severe anemia were more likely to require surgical therapy (2 of 15 vs 3 of 113; p = 0.045).

CONCLUSION

Approximately 1 of every 5 patients with IIH has anemia, and this is severe in >10% of patients. Patients with moderate and severe anemia may require more invasive surgical treatment. Given the high incidence of anemia and the availability of a complete blood count, we recommend that this test be obtained for all patients with suspected IIH.

Magnetic Resonance Imaging Signs of Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

Importance

The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) criteria currently used to diagnose idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) are based on expert opinion and have limited accuracy. Additional neuroimaging signs have been proposed and used with contradictory results; thus, prospective evidence is needed to improve diagnostic accuracy.

Objective

To provide evidence-based, accurate MRI signs for IIH diagnosis.

Design, Setting, and Participants

This prospective cohort study was conducted from January 2018 to May 2021 with 3 validation cohorts at 2 Danish headache centers and with 3 independent international cohorts. Consecutive patients with suspected IIH were enrolled. Eligibility required the clinical suspicion of IIH, age 18 years or older, and written informed consent. The validation cohorts comprised patients with confirmed IIH from Austria and the US, and patients without IIH from the US. Data analysis was performed from December 2021 to August 2023.

Exposure

Standardized diagnostic workup was performed to classify cases according to current criteria, and blinded evaluation of cerebral radiological diagnostics and papilledema was performed.

Main Outcomes and Measures

The primary outcomes were MRI signs associated with IIH as assessed by univariate analyses. An MRI score estimating papilledema was calculated using machine learning. Internal validation of associations with lumbar puncture opening pressure and outcome and external validation of accuracy were performed in 3 cohorts.

Results

Of 192 eligible patients (185 women [96.4%]; median [IQR] age, 28.0 [23.0-35.0] years), 110 were classified as having IIH, 4 as having probable IIH, and 1 as having suspected IIH without papilledema; 77 did not have IIH and served as controls, with corresponding age, sex, and weight. Papilledema at diagnosis was associated with perioptic subarachnoid space distension (56 patients [68.3%] vs 21 patients [41.2%]), posterior globe flattening (53 patients [66.3%] vs 10 patients [21.3%]), optic nerve disc protrusion (35 patients [30.4%] vs 2 patients [2.3%]), and transverse sinus venous stenosis (75 patients [79.8%] vs 29 patients [46.8%]). The papilledema-estimating MRI score showed optimal balance between sensitivity (49%) and specificity (87%) when 2 of the 3 latter signs were present and was associated with the lumbar puncture opening pressure and ophthalmological outcome. The score showed strong diagnostic accuracy in the external validation cohorts (587 patients; area under the receiver operating characteristic curve, 0.86) and outperformed the current (2013) diagnostic MRI criteria.

Conclusions and Relevance

The findings of this cohort study of patients with IIH and controls suggest that an evidence-based MRI score including posterior globe flattening, optic nerve disc protrusion, and transverse sinus stenosis can estimate the presence of papilledema more accurately than the current diagnostic criteria.

The impact of eating disorders on idiopathic intracranial hypertension

BACKGROUND

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) occurs more frequently in obese females of childbearing age. A link between eating disorders and poor outcome has been suggested but remains unproven.

METHODS

This prospective field study at two tertiary headache centers included patients with clinically suspected IIH after standardized diagnostic work-up. Eating disorders were evaluated using validated questionnaires (EDQs). Primary outcome was the impact of eating disorders on IIH severity and outcome, secondary outcome was the prevalence and type of eating disorders in IIH compared to controls.

RESULTS

We screened 326 patients; 143 patients replied to the EDQs and were classified as 'IIH' or 'non-IIH' patients. The demographic profile of EDQ-respondents and non-respondents was similar. Presence of an eating disorder did not impact IIH severity (lumbar puncture opening pressure (p = 0.63), perimetric mean deviation (p = 0.18), papilledema (Frisén grad 1-3; p = 0.53)) nor IIH outcome (optic nerve atrophy (p = 0.6), impaired visual fields (p = 0.18)). Moreover, we found no differences in the prevalence and type of eating disorders when comparing IIH with non-IIH patients (p = 0.09).

CONCLUSION

Eating disorders did not affect IIH severity or outcome. We found the same prevalence and distribution pattern of eating disorders in IIH and non-IIH patients advocating against a direct link between IIH and eating disorders.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension: expanding our understanding

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) affects predominantly overweight women of childbearing age, causing chronically-disabling headaches and visual loss. Weight loss remains the most effective management strategy, but innovative treatments and randomized control trials (RCTs) remain few. This paper will review recent IIH research.

RECENT FINDINGS

Pregnancy-related complications, but not losses, are increased in IIH, while symptom severity is not affected. Weight loss of 24% results in normalization of intracranial pressure (ICP) and improvement in papilledema. Prolonged periods of papilledema result in delayed thinning of the ganglion cell layer. Less-invasive telemetry has improved understanding of the positional effects on ICP with rises seen in the supine and lateral positions. Exenatide, a GLP-1 agonist, may reduce ICP and improve symptoms. Venous sinus stenting is increasingly popular but its benefits over CSF diversion remain unclear.

SUMMARY

Early involvement of obstetric care is recommended with pregnancy in IIH. Early intervention is required to avoid chronic papilledema that confers worse visual outcomes. Positional changes may affect ICP readings. The use of novel ICP telemetric devices has significant potential in future disease monitoring. The dual benefits of weight loss and ICP reduction with exenatide have significant potential in IIH management. Surgical RCTs are still required.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension: a step change in understanding the disease mechanisms

The understanding of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) has evolved over the past few years. Previously, IIH was considered a disease exclusively affecting the neuro-ophthalmic axis, characterized by raised intracranial pressure, headache and papilloedema, and resulting in the risk of severe and permanent visual loss and life-changing disabling headaches. Recent advances have begun to redefine IIH as a probable metabolic disease involving a range of systemic manifestations. More than 95% of individuals affected by the disease are women of reproductive age with obesity. The incidence is rapidly rising and parallels the escalating worldwide obesity rates. Contemporary insights identify associations with insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and a twofold increased risk of cardiovascular disease in excess of that driven by obesity alone. Adipose distribution in people with IIH, like that in other metabolic diseases, is preferentially centripetal and is associated with changes in intracranial pressure. Evidence now demonstrates adipose tissue dysfunction in people with IIH, involving transcriptional and metabolic priming for lipogenesis and weight gain. Hormonal perturbations are also observed, including a unique phenotype of androgen excess that promotes cerebrospinal fluid secretion. Knowledge of these additional disease features is driving research into novel therapeutic targets and altering the approach to multidisciplinary care.

A Systematic Review of Neuropsychiatric Symptoms in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

BACKGROUND

There is limited characterization of neuropsychiatric symptoms (NPS) in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). Along with commonly presenting symptoms of IIH, including headache and papilledema, NPS may have a significant impact on IIH outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

We completed a systematic review of the literature to characterize the most common non-cognitive NPS in IIH patients and examine associations between non-cognitive NPS and IIH outcomes.

METHODS

A PRISMA-compliant literature search was conducted in Ovid Medline, PubMed, PsycInfo, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane, CINAHL, and Scopus databases. The initial query yielded 1,688 unique articles. These articles were narrowed to those including empirical analyses of non-cognitive NPS in adult patients with IIH.

RESULTS

A final cohort of eight articles comprised of 724 individuals with IIH and 257 healthy controls. Non-cognitive NPS, specifically anxiety and depression, were more common in IIH patients compared to controls. Patients with IIH also reported increased headache, visual disturbances, and overall poorer quality of life. Limitations included heterogeneous sample characteristics along with variability in measurement of non-cognitive NPS between studies.

CONCLUSIONS

A greater understanding of the most prevalent non-cognitive NPS such as depression and anxiety in IIH patients, particularly among females who are obese and facing social and economic marginalization, may help to reduce IIH-associated morbidity. In particular, improved screening and timely management of psychiatric conditions using a multidisciplinary approach may improve IIH outcomes.

Guidelines of the International Headache Society for Controlled Clinical Trials in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

The quality of clinical trials is essential to advance treatment, inform regulatory decisions and meta-analysis. With the increased incidence of idiopathic intracranial hypertension and the emergence of clinical trials for novel therapies in this condition, the International Headache Society Guidelines for Controlled Clinical Trials in Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension aims to establish guidelines for designing state-of-the-art controlled clinical trials for idiopathic intracranial hypertension.