The Eastern Quebec Study on Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus: Patient Characteristics and Demographic Insights.

Abstract

Background: Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) is characterized by gait disturbances, cognitive impairment and urinary dysfunction. Early diagnosis is essential to ensure timely shunt treatment. However, patient identification remains challenging due to limited studies, mostly from Asia and Europe, which restrict generalizability to other geographic areas. Moreover, demographic factors (age, sex, education) influence cognitive and gait performance in other neurological conditions, but their impact on iNPH remains unclear. This study aimed to characterize the demographic, vascular, cognitive and gait profiles of iNPH patients in Eastern Quebec (Canada) and determine how demographic factors influence performance outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted on 175 patients diagnosed with probable iNPH at a specialized neurology center in Eastern Quebec. Demographic data, vascular risk factors and cognitive and gait outcomes were extracted from medical records. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize the sample, and multiple linear regressions assessed the effect of demographic factors on performance outcomes.

Results: The cohort had a mean age of 73.9 years and a mean education level of 11.9 years. Age and education significantly predicted over half of the cognitive test results, while age was the only significant predictor of gait. Hypertension (58%) and hyperlipidemia (47%) were more prevalent than diabetes (26%), differing from previous studies where diabetes was the second most reported vascular risk factor after hypertension.

Conclusions: Clinical heterogeneity characterizes iNPH patients in Eastern Quebec. Differences in the prevalence of vascular risk factors compared to previous studies may reflect geographic variability in the clinical presentation of this condition.