Vascular Risk Factors in INPH-patients

Vascular Risk Factors, Subclinical and Manifest Vascular Disease in Patients With Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus

Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH) is a treatable and a common disease of the elderly. The overall objective of this work is to describe cardio- and cerebrovascular risk factors and vascular disease in shunted INPH-patients compared to an age- and sex matched elderly population, as well as the impact of vascular risk factors and vascular co-morbidity on clinical symptoms and outcome of surgery in INPH-patients. The hypothesis is that INPH-patients have a higher level of vascular risk factors and subclinical organ damage than a normal elderly population, and that the higher the level of existing vascular risk factors, the more severe the symptoms of the hydrocephalic disease.

Inclusion Criteria:

• INPH-patients who underwent surgery 2008-2010 and registered in the Swedish National Register of Hydrocephalus
• age <60 and >85
• (only for controls) living in Umeå

Exclusion Criteria:

• death
• a known mini mental state estimation <23
• inability to communicate (because of severe stroke, aphasia, dementia)
• (only for controls) individuals with INPH who has not yet underwent surgery, or has not been chosen to undergo surgery.