Evaluation of sleep quality in patients with idiopathic intracranial hypertension

ABSTRACT Objective: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is a condition that has no known cause and progresses with increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) pressure. Sleep apnea or other sleep disorders may occur with increased intracranial pressure (ICP). This study aims to determine the relationship between the signs and symptoms of IIH and sleep quality. Patients and Methods: Three self-reported questionnaires, namely The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), the Epworth Sleepiness Scale (ESS), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI)) were administered to 31 IIH patients and the same number of controls and the scores were compared. Scores were analyzed according to the presence of symptoms in the IIH group. The correlation of these scores with ICP was evaluated. Results: Between the two groups, the IIH group had significantly higher PSQI scores (p=0.009). Also, a significant relationship was shown between papilledema and PSQI scores (p=0.017); patients with papilledema had lower PSQI scores than patients without papilledema. BMI values were higher in patients without papilledema (p = 0.031). In the IIH group, PSQI and BDI scores had a positive correlation (r = 0.638, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Sleep quality is impaired in patients with IIH, and the effect of being overweight in this deterioration is more pronounced than presence of papilledema.