Headache determines quality of life in idiopathic intracranial hypertension

Yasmeen Mulla, Keira A Markey, Rebecca L Woolley, Smitaa Patel, Susan P Mollan, Alexandra J Sinclair

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Citations (Scopus)
163 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background The effect of idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) on quality of life (QOL) is poorly understood. Our objectives were to compare QOL in IIH to the normal UK population; to investigate QOL changes with treatment of IIH, using a weight loss intervention, and to determine which clinical factors influence QOL. Methods This was a prospective cohort evaluation of QOL, using the 36-Item Short Form (SF-36) Health Survey questionnaire, before and after a therapeutic dietary intervention which resulted in significant reduction in body mass index (BMI), intracranial pressure (ICP), papilloedema, visual acuity, perimetric mean deviation (Humphrey 24–2) and headache (six-item headache impact test (HIT-6) and headache diary). Baseline QOL was compared to an age and gender matched population. The relationship between each clinical outcome and change in QOL was evaluated. Results At baseline, QOL was significantly lower in IIH compared to an age and gender matched population in most domains, p < 0.001. Therapeutic weight loss led to a significant improvement in 10 out of 11 QOL domains in conjunction with the previously published data demonstrating significant improvement in papilloedema, visual acuity, perimetry and headache (p < 0.001) and large effect size. Despite significant improvement in clinical measures only headache correlated significantly (p < 0.001) with improving QOL domains. Conclusions QOL in IIH patients is significantly reduced. It improved with weight loss alongside significant improvement in clinical measures and headache. However, headache was the only clinical outcome that correlated with enhanced QOL. Effective headache management is required to improve QOL in IIH.
Original languageEnglish
Article number45
JournalThe Journal of Headache and Pain
Volume16
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 15 May 2015

Keywords

  • Idiopathic intracranial hypertension
  • Headache
  • Quality of life
  • SF-36

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Headache determines quality of life in idiopathic intracranial hypertension'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this