Monica Ferlisi1, Simon Shorvon2. 1. UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK; Division of Neurology, University Hospital of Verona, P.le A. Stefani 1, 37126 Verona, Italy. Electronic address: monica.ferlisi@ospedaleuniverona.it. 2. UCL Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London WC1N 3BG, UK.
Abstract
AIM: adult epilepsy clinic population: (a) to identify the frequency of seizure precipitants (triggering factors) and their relative frequency in those with psychiatric disorders, and in those in remission or with active epilepsy, differences in frequency with regard to gender, seizure duration, number of drugs taken; (b) to determine which precipitants patients most commonly report; and (c) to identify differences in the distribution of precipitants among generalized, temporal, and extratemporal epilepsies. METHODS: Consecutive patients attending a tertiary-care epilepsy clinic were prospectively and an open personal interview to identify and characterize seizure precipitants. Information about the epilepsy and clinical characteristics of patients was collected during the interview and from medical records. RESULTS: Of 104 patients, 97% cited at least one precipitant. Stress, sleep deprivation, and fatigue were the most frequently reported precipitants. Patients with psychological comorbidities reported a greater percentage of seizures with seizure precipitants. Patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy seemed to be more sensitive to seizures during awakening and sleep deprivation, patients with extratemporal epilepsy reported more frequent seizures during sleep. There were no differences in frequency or type of seizure precipitants with regard to gender, seizure duration or frequency, and the number of antiepileptic drugs taken. CONCLUSION: The findings may have implications for the better management of epilepsy by increasing a focus on nonpharmacological therapy. The implications of the findings for nosology and causation of epilepsy are also briefly discussed.
AIM: adult epilepsy clinic population: (a) to identify the frequency of seizure precipitants (triggering factors) and their relative frequency in those with psychiatric disorders, and in those in remission or with active epilepsy, differences in frequency with regard to gender, seizure duration, number of drugs taken; (b) to determine which precipitants patients most commonly report; and (c) to identify differences in the distribution of precipitants among generalized, temporal, and extratemporal epilepsies. METHODS: Consecutive patients attending a tertiary-care epilepsy clinic were prospectively and an open personal interview to identify and characterize seizure precipitants. Information about the epilepsy and clinical characteristics of patients was collected during the interview and from medical records. RESULTS: Of 104 patients, 97% cited at least one precipitant. Stress, sleep deprivation, and fatigue were the most frequently reported precipitants. Patients with psychological comorbidities reported a greater percentage of seizures with seizure precipitants. Patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy seemed to be more sensitive to seizures during awakening and sleep deprivation, patients with extratemporal epilepsy reported more frequent seizures during sleep. There were no differences in frequency or type of seizure precipitants with regard to gender, seizure duration or frequency, and the number of antiepileptic drugs taken. CONCLUSION: The findings may have implications for the better management of epilepsy by increasing a focus on nonpharmacological therapy. The implications of the findings for nosology and causation of epilepsy are also briefly discussed.
Authors: Johanna A Forsgård; Liisa Metsähonkala; Anna-Mariam Kiviranta; Sigitas Cizinauskas; Jouni J T Junnila; Outi Laitinen-Vapaavuori; Tarja S Jokinen Journal: J Vet Intern Med Date: 2018-12-21 Impact factor: 3.333
Authors: Elisa Bruno; Andrea Biondi; Sebastian Böttcher; Gergely Vértes; Richard Dobson; Amos Folarin; Yatharth Ranjan; Zulqarnain Rashid; Nikolay Manyakov; Aki Rintala; Inez Myin-Germeys; Sara Simblett; Til Wykes; Amanda Stoneman; Ann Little; Sarah Thorpe; Simon Lees; Andreas Schulze-Bonhage; Mark Richardson Journal: JMIR Res Protoc Date: 2020-12-16
Authors: Andrea Biondi; Petroula Laiou; Elisa Bruno; Pedro F Viana; Martijn Schreuder; William Hart; Ewan Nurse; Deb K Pal; Mark P Richardson Journal: JMIR Res Protoc Date: 2021-03-19
Authors: Johanna Forsgård; Liisa Metsähonkala; Anna-Mariam Kiviranta; Sigitas Cizinauskas; Jouni J T Junnila; Outi Laitinen-Vapaavuori; Tarja S Jokinen Journal: J Vet Intern Med Date: 2019-03-05 Impact factor: 3.333