Profile of idiopathic intracranial hypertension in Indian population – A prospective study

Background. Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) also termed pseudotumor cerebri syndrome (PTCS). It mainly affects young overweight women of the reproductive age group. There is a scarcity of literature on IIH among the Indian population. Objective. To evaluate the clinical, demographic profile, laboratory parameters and outcomes of Idiopathic Intracranial hypertension (IIH) patients. Materials and method. The current study was a prospective observational study on 43 patients who were diagnosed as primary PTCS presenting to the neurology department of Sri Ramachandra Medical College and Research Institute from December 2019 to August 2021. Patients were assessed for BMI, papilledema, CSF manometry, MRI brain with MR venography was done. Co-guide software, V.1.03, was used for statistical analysis. Results. The mean age was 33.12 ± 12.29 years (ranged 14 to 55) in the study population. There were 5(11.63%) males and 38(88.37%) females. The mean BMI was 26.72 ± 3.56 kg/m2 (ranged from 17.40 to 34.20). The mean duration of headache was 28.41 ± 26.23 days (ranged 3 to 120) in the study population, and 39(90.69%) had papilledema. The mean CSF manometry was 29.6 ± 5.88(ranged from 16 to 42) cmH2O. Conclusion. In the Indian subcontinent, obesity may not be considered as a major risk factor in the causation of IIH.