Clinical and demographic differences between idiopathic intracranial hypertension patients with mild and severe papilledema

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether papilledema severity is associated with specific demographic or clinical factors in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A retrospective cohort study of consecutive IIH patients seen at one tertiary care institution between 1989 and March 31, 2017 was performed. IIH patients were classified as mild (Frisén Grade 1 or 2) or severe (Frisén Grade 4 or 5) based on grading of fundus photographs obtained at first presentation. Demographic and clinical variables including age, body mass index (BMI), gender, visual acuity, Humphrey visual field mean deviation, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) opening pressure were extracted from patient medical records for statistical analyses. RESULTS: A total of 239 patients were included in the study: 152 with mild papilledema and 87 with severe papilledema. There was no difference in age, race, BMI, or male gender between the mild and severe papilledema groups. CSF opening pressure was significantly higher in the severe papilledema group (41.89 cm of water vs. 33.69, 95% confidence interval [CI]: −10.79–−5.62, P < 0.0001). There was a significant difference in the Humphrey mean deviation (−6.38 dB compared to − 3.25 dB, 95% CI: −4.82–−1.44 dB, P < 0.001) and average logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity at final follow-up (0.21 vs. 0.045, 95% CI: −0.299–−0.040 , P = 0.01). CONCLUSION: Age, race, sex, and BMI were similar in IIH patients with mild versus severe papilledema, emphasizing the importance of a dilated fundus examination to reliably stratify patients. Patients with severe papilledema are at higher risk of visual acuity and visual field loss at final follow-up.