title: Normal pressure hydrocephalus: a qualitative study on outcome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe the natural history and shunt outcome in patients with normal pressure hydrocephalus (NPH) and the variables that influence both.
  
  
  METHODS
  Motor and cognitive parameters of 35 patients with NPH, as well as shunt surgery status, were registered at two time points (T0 and T1).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirteen patients underwent shunt surgery. Favorable outcome in gait function occurred in 5 of 35 patients and was related to younger age, absence of cardiovascular risk factors (CVRF) and white matter lesions (WML), and shunt surgery. Cognitive outcome was favorable in 9 of 35 patients and associated with shunt surgery (trend level). Of the patients subjected to surgery, favorable outcome in motor function was related to younger age at T0 and absence of CVRF and WML (trend level).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Shunt surgery had a significant effect on gait and less on cognition. Favorable outcome in gait was also associated with younger age and absence of CVRF and WML.
authors.affiliation: Neurology Department, Hospital de Egas Moniz.
authors.forename: Paulo
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bugalho
authors.affiliation: Neurology Department, Hospital de Egas Moniz.
authors.forename: Luísa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.affiliation: Neurology Department, Hospital de Egas Moniz.
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Ribeiro
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D006850:Hydrocephalus, Normal Pressure / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012307:Risk Factors; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D017287:Ventriculoperitoneal Shunt / Q000534:rehabilitation*