Idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (INPH) is a potentially treatable form of dementia but its diagnosis is difficult and the effectiveness of shunting remains controversial. This study investigates the clinical outcomes of ventriculo-peritoneal shunting in a controlled trial of 33 consecutive patients with INPH. Mean age was 77.2 years (range 58-92 years) and the duration of symptoms was 4.6 years (3 months-14 years). Nineteen patients underwent shunt surgery. At 3-4 months follow-up, patients who had undergone shunt surgery, compared to those who had not (controls), had significantly better global change ratings (median Clinician's Interview Based Impression of Change with Carer Input rating of 2 [moderately improved] versus 6 [moderately worsened], respectively, p < 0.001), had increased Mini Mental State Examination scores by 5 points (p < 0.001) and were 6.3 s faster on the Timed "up and go" test (p = 0.008). We conclude that ventriculo-peritoneal shunting is associated with improved clinical outcomes for patients with INPH. Crown Copyright © 2009.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	Nornal pressure hydrocephalus, Dementia, Balance, Neurosurgery, Ventriculo-peritoneal shunting
Research Division:	Biomedical and Clinical Sciences
Research Group:	Clinical sciences
Research Field:	Geriatrics and gerontology
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Clinical health
Objective Field:	Clinical health not elsewhere classified
UTAS Author:	Razay, G (Dr George Razay)
UTAS Author:	Vreugdenhil, AJ (Associate Professor Anthea Vreugdenhil)
UTAS Author:	Liddell, J (Dr John Liddell)
ID Code:	59818
Year Published:	2009
Web of Science® Times Cited:	32
Deposited By:	Sociology and Social Work
Deposited On:	2009-12-18
Last Modified:	2012-02-17
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