The incidence and prevalence of idiopathic intracranial hypertension in Sheffield, UK.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the incidence and prevalence of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) in Sheffield, UK. METHODS: A retrospective review of case notes was conducted to identify cases of IIH seen between 1 January 2007 and 31 December 2008. RESULTS: Sixteen (15 women and 1 man) new patients were identified to give an incidence within Sheffield of 1.56/100,000/year and 2.86/100,000/year for women. The incidence of IIH in obese women was 11.9/100,000/year. The prevalence of IIH was calculated as 10.9/100,000, and 85.7/100,000 in obese women. CONCLUSION: A higher incidence of IIH than previously reported UK data was found, which may be because of increasing obesity within the population, or improved case ascertainment.