Sean Murphy1, Daniel L Friesner2,3, Robert Rosenman3,4, Carin S Waslo5, Johnathan Au6, Emanuel Tanne7,8. 1. Department of Healthcare Policy and Research, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York, USA. 2. College of Health Professions, North Dakota State University , Fargo, North Dakota, USA. 3. School of Economic Sciences, Washington State University , Pullman, Washington, USA. 4. Initiative for Research and Education to Advance Community Health, Elson Floyd School of Medicine, Washington State University , Pullman, Washington, USA. 5. Department of Neurology, Veterans Affairs Portland Health Care System , Portland, Oregon, USA. 6. Chicago Medical School, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science , Chicago, Illinois, USA. 7. Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health and Science University , Portland, Oregon, USA. 8. Intracranial Hypertension Research Foundation, Vancouver, Washington, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) can be a debilitating disorder that is difficult to identify and treat. Failure to adequately manage IIH symptoms may force patients to present at emergency departments (EDs) seeking symptom relief. The purpose of this paper is to empirically characterize ED use by previously diagnosed IIH patients. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Patients diagnosed with IIH, and who registered with the Intracranial Hypertension Registry by 2014, were solicited for study inclusion. A survey was designed to elicit ED use during the period 2010-2012. Information on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, IIH signs and symptoms, time since diagnosis, perspectives of ED use and quality of life was collected. Quality of life was assessed using an adaptation of the Migraine-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and nonparametric hypothesis tests. FINDINGS: In total, 39 percent of IIH patients used emergency services over the study period; those that did used the services intensely. These patients were more likely to be non-white, live in households making less than $25,000 annually, have public insurance and have received a diversional shunt procedure. Patients who used the ED were less likely to live in households making $100,000, or more, annually and have private insurance. Participants who used the ED had significantly lower quality-of-life scores, were younger and had been diagnosed with IIH for less time. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: ED staff and outside physicians can utilize the information contained in this study to more effectively recognize the unique circumstances of IIH patients who present at EDs.
PURPOSE:Idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) can be a debilitating disorder that is difficult to identify and treat. Failure to adequately manage IIH symptoms may force patients to present at emergency departments (EDs) seeking symptom relief. The purpose of this paper is to empirically characterize ED use by previously diagnosed IIHpatients. DESIGN/METHODOLOGY/APPROACH: Patients diagnosed with IIH, and who registered with the Intracranial Hypertension Registry by 2014, were solicited for study inclusion. A survey was designed to elicit ED use during the period 2010-2012. Information on demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, IIH signs and symptoms, time since diagnosis, perspectives of ED use and quality of life was collected. Quality of life was assessed using an adaptation of the Migraine-Specific Quality of Life Questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and nonparametric hypothesis tests. FINDINGS: In total, 39 percent of IIHpatients used emergency services over the study period; those that did used the services intensely. These patients were more likely to be non-white, live in households making less than $25,000 annually, have public insurance and have received a diversional shunt procedure. Patients who used the ED were less likely to live in households making $100,000, or more, annually and have private insurance. Participants who used the ED had significantly lower quality-of-life scores, were younger and had been diagnosed with IIH for less time. ORIGINALITY/VALUE: ED staff and outside physicians can utilize the information contained in this study to more effectively recognize the unique circumstances of IIHpatients who present at EDs.
Authors: Magda Aguiar; Emma Frew; Susan P Mollan; James L Mitchell; Ryan S Ottridge; Zerin Alimajstorovic; Andreas Yiangou; Rishi Singhal; Abd A Tahrani; Alex J Sinclair Journal: Life (Basel) Date: 2021-04-30