Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (iNPH): A reversible type of dementia and a treatment opportunity worth recognizing

Did you know? Behind symptoms such as unsteady gait, urinary incontinence, and cognitive impairment, there may be a condition known as a “treatable and reversible form of dementia” — Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (iNPH).

iNPH is a brain disorder that primarily affects older adults. In its early stages, its symptoms are often mistaken for degenerative brain diseases such as Parkinson’s disease or Alzheimer’s disease. Without timely diagnosis and drainage treatment, valuable opportunities for improvement are often missed.

According to a 2022 literature review, the prevalence of iNPH among people aged 65 and over is approximately 3% in Japan, and between 2.1% and 2.5% in Europe and the United States. This indicates that iNPH is a significant global public health issue in aging populations. In Taiwan, with an estimated 4.5 million people aged 65 and over, a 2% prevalence rate suggests that there may be around 90,000 undiagnosed cases. However, only about 2,000 drainage surgeries are performed annually, showing that the majority of patients are not receiving timely consultation and treatment.

To help the public better understand iNPH, BOMI International Co., Ltd., in collaboration with Integra and with the support of Vice Superintendent Kuo-Chen Wei and Dr. Ko-Ting Chen, has launched a dedicated website — hakim.tw — offering rich, diverse, and easy-to-understand information, including:

• Introduction to iNPH: An in-depth explanation of what iNPH is, its causes and types, and its three hallmark symptoms: unsteady gait, cognitive decline, and urinary incontinence.

• iNPH 3-Minute Self-Check: A simple self-assessment tool to help quickly determine whether further medical evaluation is needed.

• iNPH Story in Comic Form: A lighthearted, illustrated presentation of the disease course and treatment process.

• Diagnosis and Examination Process: Details on how symptom evaluation, imaging tests (such as CT and MRI), and cerebrospinal fluid drainage tests are combined to confirm a diagnosis.

• Treatment Methods: A detailed explanation of drainage surgery and its potential benefits and improvements.

• Post-Surgery Recovery and Precautions: Complete guidance from follow-up care to possible complications.

Notably, there are ongoing discussions internationally to officially rename iNPH as Hakim–Adams Syndrome (HS) and classify it as part of geriatric epidemiology, aiming to improve recognition and attention in the medical field.

Learn more about Idiopathic Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (iNPH) — a treatable cause of dementia in older adults. Visit hakim.tw for complete information and self-assessment tools. Protecting the health of our elders is urgent and essential!

Take the free 3-minute screening and learn more: https://hakim.tw/