Nationwide Incidence of Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus (NPH) Assessed by Insurance Claim Data in Germany
Dirk Stengel2 , 3
Florian Stockhammer4
Claas Güthoff2
Veit Rohde4
Ullrich Meier1
Authors Info & Affiliations
Abstract
Background:
The purpose of this study is to investigate the epidemiology of the idiopathic normal pressure hydrocephalus (iNPH) in Germany.
Methods:
The database of the nationwide Barmer Health Insurance was queried for specific combinations of corresponding International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision (ICD-9) codes and OPS codes (German modification of the ICPM and official classification of surgical procedures) in order to assess the number of patients treated for iNPH and the number surgical procedures associated with the disease in a 10 years period between 2003 and 2012.
Results:
Between 2003 and 2012, the incidence of iNPH increased from zero to 1.36/100.000/year.
Conclusion:
This is the first population-based epidemiologic study on iNPH in Germany covering a ten year period.
