A systematic review on the epidemiology of normal pressure hydrocephalus

The role of diffusion tensor imaging in idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus: A literature review

“…1 Its prevalence in the general population is still unclear, ranging from 0.2% to 3.7% among people aged 65 and older, and more common in people aged ≥80 years (from 5.9% to 8.9%). 2–4…”

To Shunt or Not to Shunt Patients with Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus? A Reappraisal of an Old Question

“…Because iNPH affects <1 in 2000 citizens, according to the European normative, iNPH could be considered a "rare disease". However, the methodological and clinical heterogeneity of the studies addressing this topic does not allow us to draw adequate conclusions on the true epidemiology of iNPH [7]. Until large population-based studies with homogeneous diagnostic criteria are conducted, the true incidence/prevalence of NPH will not be known, but both are probably largely underestimated.…”

“…Hakim et al suggested that about 10% of dementia patients could have an iNPH [5]. In a systematic review of the epidemiology of iNPH, Zaccaria et al reported an incidence ranging from 1.8 to 7.3/100,000 per year and a prevalence ranging from 10 to 29/100,000 [7]. Because iNPH affects <1 in 2000 citizens, according to the European normative, iNPH could be considered a "rare disease".…”

Improving outcomes and decreasing costs of neurological diseases: Mind the gap

“…Idiopathic NPH is an important cause of gait, balance, cognitive, and sphincter disturbances in elderly people [7]. More than 25% of such patients show gait improvement after shunting, but only 50% to 60% improve in cognition and bladder function [8] Within 30 days, 25% of shunted patients need hospital admission or experience a complication, including intracranial bleeding [6].…”

“…They compared moving from the 25% of patients who undergo surgery nowadays to an ambitious target of 90%. Timely and adequate shunting was cost‐effective, with a cost per QALY saved of €20,202 at 5 years and €35,128 at 15 years, although 15 years is an optimistic length of survival, considering the median age and comorbidities of idiopathic NPH patients [7,9].…”