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The Association Between Anemia and Pseudotumor Cerebri
Alison B Gibbons1, Ximin Li, Amanda D Henderson
1Wilmer Eye Institute (ABG, ADH), The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland; and Biostatistics Center, Department of Biostatistics (XL), Johns Hopkins School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland.
Summary
Anemia is not associated with diagnosing pseudotumor cerebri (PTC). However, in PTC patients, anemia links to atypical demographic factors like older age and male sex.
Area of Science:
- Neuro-ophthalmology
- Hematology
Background:
- Contemporary literature suggests anemia may be a risk factor for pseudotumor cerebri (PTC).
- The association between anemia and PTC is not well-established, leading to debate on anemia screening during PTC work-up.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between anemia and the diagnosis of pseudotumor cerebri (PTC).
- To explore demographic factors and visual outcomes in PTC patients with anemia.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective analysis of a national, multicentered database using International Classification of Diseases-10 codes.
- Matched cohort study comparing 2,240 PTC patients with 2,240 controls.
- Subgroup analysis of PTC patients with and without anemia.
Main Results:
- Anemia rates did not significantly differ between PTC and control groups (23.4% vs 22.3%, P = 0.393).
- In PTC patients, anemia was associated with older age at onset (P = 0.013), male sex (P = 0.017), and lower presenting visual acuity (P < 0.001).
- Final visual acuities were similar between anemic and non-anemic PTC patients after controlling for presenting acuity (P = 0.123).
Conclusions:
- Anemia is not associated with the diagnosis of pseudotumor cerebri (PTC).
- In PTC patients, anemia is linked to demographic features atypical for the condition, such as older age and male sex.
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