Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension Is Associated with Depression Regardless of Weight: A Controlled Study

Research Background: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a common disease among obese women during their childbearing years, and it could be associated with depression. It is unclear whether obesity contributes also to depression among these patients. Research Objective: To evaluate patients with IIH for the existence of depression using the Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (HAM-D) questionnaire score, compared to age- and BMI-matched healthy control group. Methods: Controlled IIH patients were prospectively recruited from the neuro-ophthalmology clinic at Tzafon Medical Center, Poria. Following consent, patients were interviewed and answered the HAM-D questionnaire. A healthy age- and body mass index (BMI)-matched participants from the same population (control group), were also recruited and interviewed by the same investigator answering the same questionnaire. Demographics and BMI were documented in both groups. HAM-D score of >10 is significantly associated with depression. Results: Thirty-two and 28 from the patients and control group, respectively, had completed the study. Mean age was 28.6 ± 7.51 and 32.467 ± 8.22 years of both patient and control groups, respectively (P = 0.07). Mean BMI was 32.8 ± 6.87 and 32.1 ± 3.78 respectively (P = 0.621). The IIH group’s mean HAM-D scores was 11.62 ± 8.2 as compared to 3.179 ± 2.407 in the control group (P = 0.000). The most significant differences included the questionnaire items of insomnia initial, work and activities, somatic general and somatic symptoms general. Conclusion: IIH patients had significantly higher HAM-D scores compared to the control group. This score seems to be irrelevant to the weight of the patient. Psychological support in addition to the conventional treatment of IIH, is needed to improve the quality of life of these patients.