Incidence of Mood Disorders in Patients with Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a condition of unknown etiology characterized by elevated intracranial pressure and normal neurologic exam except for sixth nerve palsy. The majority of IIH patients are obese women and suffer from headaches. Additionally, papilledema is commonly present and may lead to significant vision loss. The focus of IIH research has been on preventing vision loss, with little focus on the condition's psychosocial; impact. Studies have examined the relationship between anxiety, depression, and quality of life, but have relied on; patient questionnaires, which may introduce participation biases. Our aim was to objectively study the incidence of mood disorders in patients with IIH compared with control groups.