Disordered Eating Behaviors in Young Individuals With Idiopathic Intracranial Hypertension

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of disordered eating behaviors (DEBs) in young individuals with idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) and to identify predictors of DEBs in this population.

Individuals with IIH aged eight to 25 years and their matched controls responded to a self-rating survey comprised of the Eating Attitude Test-26 for assessing the presence of DEBs and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale.

Fifty-three subjects with IIH and 106 healthy controls were included. DEBs were significantly more prevalent in individuals with IIH (P < 0.001). Individuals with IIH and DEBs were more likely to have longer periods of treatment [odds ratio: 1.07, 95% CI: 1.02-1.41), P = 0.008] and to have lost a significant amount of weight during the course of treatment [odds ratio: 9.06 (95% CI: 1.30-62.9), P = 0.026]. Depression, anxiety, and stress were more prevalent in the IIH group than in the controls (P = 0.004) and were associated with DEBs in these individuals (P = 0.01).

There is an increased prevalence of DEBs among young individuals with IIH, which persists even after disease resolution, and is associated with higher reported rates of depression, anxiety, and stress. Medical caregivers should have heightened awareness to DEBs in individuals with IIH with the aim of early identification and intervention.