Clinical course of poststroke epilepsy: a retrospective nested case–control study. Issue 9 (22nd July 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zelano, Johan; Lundberg, Rebecca Gertz; Baars, Leopold; Hedegärd, Emelie; Kumlien, Eva
• Is Part Of: Brain and behavior. Volume 5:Issue 9(2015:Sep.)
• Page Start: n/a
• Page End: n/a
• Publication Date: 2015-07-22
• Subjects: Cerebrovascular diseases -- epilepsy -- treatment; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurosciences -- Periodicals; Psychology -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.8005
• DOI: 10.1002/brb3.366
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2162-3279

Abstract

Abstract: Introduction: Recently, several epidemiological studies have demonstrated that epilepsy develops after approximately 10% of all cerebrovascular lesions. With an aging population, poststroke epilepsy is likely to be of increasing relevance to neurologists and more knowledge on the condition is needed. Patients with poststroke epilepsy are likely to differ from other epilepsy patient populations regarding age, side‐effect tolerability, comorbidities, and life expectancy, all of which are important aspects when counselling newly diagnosed patients to make informed treatment decisions. Method: We have here performed a nested case–control study on 36 patients with poststroke epilepsy and 55 controls that suffered stroke but did not develop epilepsy. The average follow‐up time was between 3 and 4 years. Results: In our material, two‐thirds of patients achieved seizure freedom and 25% experienced a prolonged seizure (status epilepticus) during the follow‐up period. Cases consumed more health care following their stroke, but did not suffer more traumatic injuries. Interestingly, the mortality among cases and controls did not differ significantly. This observation needs to be confirmed in larger prospective studies, but indicate that poststroke epilepsy might not infer additional mortality in this patient group with considerable comorbidities. Conclusions: The observations presented can be of value in the counselling of patients, reducing the psychosocial impact of the diagnosis, and planning of future research on poststroke epilepsy. Abstract : This retrospective nested case–control study describes the clinical course of and healthcare consumption in poststroke epilepsy in 36 patients and 55 controls. Cases consumed more health care following their stroke, but did not suffer more traumatic injuries than controls. Two‐thirds achieved seizure freedom and 25% experienced a prolonged seizure (status epilepticus) during the follow‐up period.