Idiopathic intracranial hypertension within the ICF model: a review of the literature.

Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) is an unusual disease, seen most often in women of childbearing age who are obese. If left untreated, IIH can cause chronic pain and blindness. Although IIH has been recognized by healthcare providers since the late 1880s, the cause is still not known and risk factors remain unclear. Treatment has not changed over the years. While professionals struggle to define, describe, and successfully treat IIH, persons with the disease are struggling to cope. Internet support group communications relate numerous personal stories of frustration, depression, pain, anxiety, and disability. The World Health Organization's International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF) model provides an appropriate framework through which to view what is known and what is yet to be discovered about IIH. The ICF model was designed to complement the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, looking beyond mortality and disease by describing how people live with their health conditions. Applying this framework to IIH reveals many opportunities for nursing research within the ICF domains of health condition, body function and structure, ability and participation, and environmental and personal factors.