Epidemiology

IIH occurs worldwide. In the US, annual national incidence is estimated at 1.15 per 100,000.[3] IIH is most prevalent among obese women of childbearing age; the highest incidence in England is among females age 25 years (15.2 per 100,000).[4] One study of IIH in Libya found an average incidence rate of 2.2 per 100,000 persons; among obese females ages 15 to 44 years, the rate rose to 21.4 per 100,000.[5] In the US there is a higher incidence among black people (2.05 per 100,000) followed by white people (1.04 per 100,000), Hispanics (0.67 per 100,00), and Asian/Pacific Islanders (0.16 per 100,000).[3] The mean age at diagnosis is about 30 years.[6]

The incidence of IIH has increased in recent years.[3] In England, the incidence of IIH rose between 2002 and 2016 from 2.3 to 4.7 per 100,000 persons.[4] Increasing prevalence and incidence of IIH mirrors population increases in obesity and has been associated with social deprivation.[4][7] Younger children with IIH are less likely to be obese than teenagers or adults.[8] Incidence is the same in pregnant and nonpregnant women.[9] 

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