Graziano Taddei, Giuseppe Demichele, Marco Failla Mulone, Mariasole Gagliano, Alessandro Pesce, Silvia Ciarlo, Edvige Iaboni, Angelo Pompucci, Gianpaolo Petrella
{"title":"Normal pressure hydrocephalus does not matter: an Italian perspective.","authors":"Graziano Taddei, Giuseppe Demichele, Marco Failla Mulone, Mariasole Gagliano, Alessandro Pesce, Silvia Ciarlo, Edvige Iaboni, Angelo Pompucci, Gianpaolo Petrella","doi":"10.23736/S0390-5616.24.06257-X","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a reversible condition characterized by gait disturbance, dementia, and urinary incontinence. Despite being underdiagnosed, surgical treatment can significantly improve symptoms. Previous studies have shown a lack of awareness of NPH among physicians, prompting further investigation into its recognition.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A survey was conducted among Italian physicians to assess their awareness of NPH. A 9-point questionnaire was anonymously distributed online to physicians registered with Medical Boards in Italy. Data analysis focused on responses related to NPH knowledge and exposure.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of 103 Medical Boards invited, 42 participated, potentially reaching 145,788 physicians. Analysis of 547 valid responses revealed varying levels of awareness across specialties. Neurologists showed higher awareness, but overall exposure to NPH cases in clinical practice was limited.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The survey highlighted a lack of interest and awareness of NPH among Italian physicians. Recommendations were made to enhance recognition, especially among Family Practitioners and Neurologists. Continuous education efforts are crucial to improve early diagnosis and management of NPH. Efforts by medical boards and specialty societies are needed to increase awareness and ensure timely intervention for NPH patients.</p>","PeriodicalId":16504,"journal":{"name":"Journal of neurosurgical sciences","volume":" ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":1.3000,"publicationDate":"2024-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of neurosurgical sciences","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.23736/S0390-5616.24.06257-X","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q4","JCRName":"CLINICAL NEUROLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Background: Normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) is a reversible condition characterized by gait disturbance, dementia, and urinary incontinence. Despite being underdiagnosed, surgical treatment can significantly improve symptoms. Previous studies have shown a lack of awareness of NPH among physicians, prompting further investigation into its recognition.
Methods: A survey was conducted among Italian physicians to assess their awareness of NPH. A 9-point questionnaire was anonymously distributed online to physicians registered with Medical Boards in Italy. Data analysis focused on responses related to NPH knowledge and exposure.
Results: Out of 103 Medical Boards invited, 42 participated, potentially reaching 145,788 physicians. Analysis of 547 valid responses revealed varying levels of awareness across specialties. Neurologists showed higher awareness, but overall exposure to NPH cases in clinical practice was limited.
Conclusions: The survey highlighted a lack of interest and awareness of NPH among Italian physicians. Recommendations were made to enhance recognition, especially among Family Practitioners and Neurologists. Continuous education efforts are crucial to improve early diagnosis and management of NPH. Efforts by medical boards and specialty societies are needed to increase awareness and ensure timely intervention for NPH patients.
期刊介绍:
The Journal of Neurosurgical Sciences publishes scientific papers on neurosurgery and related subjects (electroencephalography, neurophysiology, neurochemistry, neuropathology, stereotaxy, neuroanatomy, neuroradiology, etc.). Manuscripts may be submitted in the form of ditorials, original articles, review articles, special articles, letters to the Editor and guidelines. The journal aims to provide its readers with papers of the highest quality and impact through a process of careful peer review and editorial work.