Chronic alcohol use and first symptomatic epileptic seizures. Issue 5 (1st November 2002)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Leone, M; Tonini, C; Bogliun, G; Monaco, F; Mutani, R; Bottacchi, E; Gambaro, P; Rocci, E; Tassinari, T; Cavestro, C; Beghi, E
• Other Names: group-author.
• Is Part Of: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry. Volume 73:Issue 5(2002)
• Page Start: 495
• Page End: 499
• Publication Date: 2002-11-01
• Subjects: epilepsy -- alcohol drinking -- alcoholism -- case-control; ADAA, average daily intake of absolute alcohol -- CNS, central nervous system -- CT, computed tomography -- EEG, electroencephalography -- γ-GT, gamma-glutamyl-transpeptidase -- MALT, Münchner Alkoholismustest -- MCV, mean corpuscular volume -- OR, odds ratio; Neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp.73.5.495
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3050

Abstract

Abstract : Objective: To establish whether chronic alcoholism and alcohol consumption are risk factors for developing a first symptomatic epileptic seizure. Methods: Multicentre case-control study of 293 patients (160 men, 133 women) with a first seizure symptomatic (either acute or remote) of head trauma, stroke, or brain tumour, matched to 444 hospital controls for centre, sex, age (±5 years), and underlying pathology. Results: The risk of first seizure in alcoholics was no higher than in non-alcoholics for men (odds ratio 1.2, 95% confidence interval 0.4 to 3.2) or women (1.5, 0.1 to 54.4). The odds ratio (both sexes) was 1.2 (0.8 to 1.7) for an average intake of absolute alcohol of 1–25 g/day, 0.9 (0.5 to 1.5) for 26–50 g/day, 1.6 (0.8 to 3.0) for 51–100 g/day, and 1.4 (0.5 to 3.5) for >100 g/day. Conclusions: We found no evidence of an association between alcohol use or alcoholism and a first symptomatic seizure.