Abstract
Purpose: :
To investigate the likelihood of glaucomatous disease in patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) compared to age- and race-matched non-NPH controls with hydrocephalus.
Methods: :
Using International Classification of Diseases (ICD-9) codes, we identified the medical records of 72 NPH cases and 72 age- and race-matched controls with hydrocephalus treated at Stanford University Hospital between 1996 and 2007. All available electronic medical records were reviewed. The diagnosis of NPH was verified based on clinical presentation, neuroimaging results and opening pressure on initial access to cerebrospinal fluid space. Glaucoma diagnosis was determined based on history and prior medical, laser or surgical intraocular pressure-lowering therapy.
Results: :
The prevalence of glaucoma in NPH cases was 18.1% compared to 5.6% in controls (chi-square = 5.403, P = 0.0201). The average age of NPH cases and non-NPH controls was 75.40 + 13.4 and 73.96 + 9.92 yrs (mean + SD), respectively.
Conclusions: :
We found the likelihood of a glaucoma diagnosis to be three fold greater in patients with NPH as compared to age- and race-matched non-NPH controls with hydrocephalus. These findings suggest a common underlying susceptibility to ambient pressure in these two neurodegenerative diseases.
Keywords: clinical (human) or epidemiologic studies: prevalence/incidence • intraocular pressure • aging