EPIMART: Prospective Incidence Study of Epileptic Seizures in Newly Referred Patients in a French Carribean Island (Martinique)

PURPOSE: To identify, in the population living in the island of Martinique, persons who had their first epileptic seizure or first came to medical attention because of an epileptic seizure. METHODS: Between May 1, 1994, and April 30, 1995, we collected all suspected cases of provoked and unprovoked epileptic seizures admitted to the hospitals or addressed to the private neurologists or pediatricians of the island. RESULTS: Three hundred nine cases were collected. Rate of initial diagnosis of provoked and nonprovoked seizures (standardized to the U.S. population): 77.7/100,000, with a bimodal distribution of the cases with age (86 in 0- to 10-year age group and 203 in patients older than 60 years). Sixty-three cases were classified as provoked seizures (incidence, 16.4/100,000). Alcohol consumption, stroke, and cranial trauma were the most frequent causes (30.1, 20.6, and 18.7%, respectively). Two hundred forty-six cases were classified as unprovoked seizures (incidence, 64.1): seizures with a stable condition, 74 cases (I, 19.3); seizures with an evolutive condition, 17 cases (I, 4.5); seizures of unknown etiology, 155 cases (I, 40.4). These figures must be considered as the minimal rate. CONCLUSIONS: The global incidence rate of newly referred persons with a diagnosis of epileptic seizures in this study is clearly higher than those observed in industrialized countries but lower than those in developing countries. The major risk factors are represented by alcohol consumption, followed by stroke, cranial trauma, and infectious diseases.     

卒中后癫发作时间分布及影响因素的研究

目的 分析卒中后癫发作时间分布特点,并对其影响因素进行研究。 方法 将122例卒中后癫发作患者分为早发性癫发作组（卒中后2周内出现癫发作）60例;晚发性癫发作组（卒中2周后出现癫发作）62例。进行单因素及多因素分析,研究患者的基础情况、卒中的危险因素、卒中的类型、癫发作的类型、发作频次、治疗等情况与早发及晚发的关系。 结果 性别、年龄、卒中危险因素以及脑电图改变在两组间无差异。缺血性卒中出血转化是卒中后癫发作早发的危险因素;早发性癫发作倾向于表现为全面性强直阵挛发作,晚发性癫发作倾向于表现为部分性发作;颞叶病变是卒中后癫发作晚发的危险因素;晚发性癫发作倾向于复发。早发性癫发作患者接受短期治疗的比例较高,晚发性癫发作患者接受长期治疗的比例较高。Logistic多元回归提示糖尿病是卒中后癫发作早发的危险因素（OR＝2.664,95%CI=1.143～6.210,P=0.259）。 结论 糖尿病和缺血性卒中出血转化为卒中后癫发作早发的危险因素;而颞叶病变是卒中后癫痫发作晚发的危险因素,且晚发性癫发作更倾向于复发。     

Natural History of Epileptic Seizures

Since 1963 a continuous registration of patients with epileptic seizures has been carried out in Greater Aarhus, Denmark. This registration has been attempted by means of medical records dating back to 1940. On the basis of the established prevalence and the calculated cumulated incidence, we have tried to describe the natural history of the different types of epilepsy. The prevalence of all types of epileptic seizures (including febrile convulsions) has been found to be 2,441/100,000, whereas for patients with the diagnosis of epilepsy the rate is 1,274/100,000. The study describes the natural history of the different types of epilepsy. In addition, the risk-increasing effect of a febrile convulsive seizure on the development of epilepsy is analyzed.     

Newly diagnosed single unprovoked seizures and epilepsy in Stockholm, Sweden: First report from the Stockholm Incidence Registry of Epilepsy (SIRE)

Purpose:   To describe and report initial findings of a system for prospective identification and follow-up of patients with newly diagnosed single unprovoked seizures and epilepsy in Stockholm, Sweden, the Stockholm Incidence Registry of Epilepsy (SIRE).
Methods:   From September 2001 through August 2004, a surveillance system has been in use to identify incident cases of first unprovoked seizures (neonatal seizures excluded) and epilepsy among residents of Northern Stockholm, an urban area with approximately 998,500 inhabitants. Potential cases are identified through multiple mechanisms: Network of health care professionals, medical record screening in specific hospital units, including outpatient clinics, emergency room services, and review of requests for electroencephalography (EEG) examination. Potential cases are classified 6 months after the index seizure based on review of medical records.
Results:   After screening approximately 10,500 EEG requests and 3,300 medical records, 1,015 persons met the criteria for newly diagnosed unprovoked seizures (430 single seizures; 585 epilepsy). The crude incidence for first unprovoked seizures and epilepsy was 33.9/100,000 person years, (the same adjusted to the European Standard Million), highest the first year of life (77.1/100,000) and in the elderly. No cause could be identified in 62.4%.
Conclusions:   We have established a sustainable system for prospective identification of new onset epilepsy cases in Stockholm. Despite a possible under-ascertainment, the registry provides a useful starting point for follow-up studies.     

Incidence and Clinical Characterization of Unprovoked Seizures in Adults: A Prospective Population-Based Study

In a population-based prospective study of epileptic seizures in adults aged ≥17 years, we identified 563 patients with possible seizures in a period of 34 months. Seizures were unprovoked in 160 patients, an incidence of 56 in 100,000 person-years. There was no difference in incidence between sexes. Age-specific incidences of unprovoked seizures increased sharply in men from age 60 years and in women from age 70 years. The incidence of unprovoked seizures in those aged ≥65 years was 139 (men 166, women 116). The cumulative incidence of unprovoked seizures between the ages of 17 and 84 years was 4.6%. The proportion with an identified presumptive cause for unprovoked seizures increased with advancing age. A presumed etiology was identified in 77% of persons aged ≥60 years. Stroke was the most common etiology, detected in 30% (incidence 16) and in 45% at ages ≥60 years. Tumors were detected in 11% (incidence 6) and Alzheimer's disease was detected in 7% (incidence 4). Eighteen percent of patients were demented. Unprovoked seizures were partial in 68% of cases (incidence 38), and generalized in 16% (incidence 9). Another 13% of patients had generalized seizures, but seizure onset was not witnessed (incidence 7). In 16%, there was a delay of ≥1 year from the first unprovoked seizure to initial diagnosis.     

Prospective Incidence Study and Clinical Characterization of Seizures in Newly Referred Adults

For 20 months, an extensive prospective search was made in a Swedish county to identify as many persons as possible aged greater than or equal to 17 years who had their first epileptic seizure or for the first time came to the attention of the medical community because of an epileptic seizure. The rate of initial diagnosis (first attendance rate) of non-provoked seizures was calculated as 34 in 100,000. For both sexes, the lowest age-specific incidences were found in persons aged 30-39 years. For males the highest age-specific incidence was found in the group aged 60-69 years and for females it was found in the group aged 50-59 years. The most common type of seizure was partial seizure, accounting for 60%. If seizures with rapid generalization and a known focal lesion are included, the number increases to 72%. A diagnostic delay greater than or equal to 1 year was found in 16%, mainly a patient delay. A cause for the epileptic seizure was found in 49%. A cerebrovascular disease was most common (21%). Brain tumors were found in 11% and trauma in 7%. A cause was more often identified in the older age groups. There was no significant difference between the sexes in the proportion of identified causes.     

Incidence of Psychogenic Seizures in Adults: A Population-Based Study in Iceland

Summary: Purpose: We wished to determine the incidence of psychogenic nonepileptic (NES) seizures in a population-based study.
Methods: Cases were identified through review of the results of all long-term video-EEG studies made in Iceland during the study period.
Results: The incidence of NES was 1.4 in 100,000 person-years of observation. Age-specific incidence was highest in the youngest age group (age 15–24 years) and decreased thereafter. A strong female preponderance was observed.
Conclusions: The incidence of NES is equal to almost 4% of that reported for epilepsy from Iceland for persons aged ≥15 years. For people aged 15–24 years, the incidence of NES is equal to −5% of the incidence of epilepsy. Half the patients also had epilepsy.     

Incidence of Epilepsy and Unprovoked Seizures in Rochester, Minnesota: 1935–1984

Summary: The incidence of epilepsy and of all unprovoked seizures was determined for residents of Rochester, Minnesota U.S.A. from 1935 through 1984. Ageadjusted incidence of epilepsy was 44 per 100,000 personyears. Incidence in males was significantly higher than in females and was high in the first year of life but highest in persons aged ≥75years. Sixty percent of new cases had epilepsy manifested by partial seizures, and two thirds had no clearly identified antecedent. Cerebrovascular disease was the most commonly identified antecedent, accounting for 11% of cases. Neurologic deficits from birth, mental retardation and/or cerebral palsy, observed in 8% of cases, was the next most frequently identified preexisting condition. The cumulative incidence of epilepsy through age 74 years was 3.1%. The age-adjusted incidence of all unprovoked seizures was 61 per 100,000 person-years. Age-and gender-specific incidence trends were similar to those of epilepsy, but a higher proportion of cases was of unknown etiology and was characterized by generalized onset seizures. The cumulative incidence of all unprovoked seizures was 4.1% through age 74 years. With time, the incidence of epilepsy and of unprovoked seizures decreased in children and increased in the elderly.     

Symptomatology of Epileptic Seizures in the First Three Years of Life

PURPOSE: Few data are available concerning symptomatology of epileptic seizures in infants. METHODS: We reviewed 296 videotaped seizures from 76 patients aged 1-35 months (mean, 15.1 months) who underwent video-EEG monitoring at our institution from 1988 to 1998. Seizure symptomatology was first classified based on observable behavioral and motor manifestations and then correlated with ictal EEG. RESULTS: Four seizure types accounted for 81% of all seizures seen in this group: epileptic spasms (24%), clonic seizures (20%), tonic seizures (17%), and hypomotor seizures (20%; characterized by arrest or significant decrease of behavioral motor activity with indeterminate level of consciousness). The remaining seizures included small numbers of myoclonic, atonic, and versive seizures. All 12 focal motor seizures and all five versive seizures were associated with focal EEG seizure patterns, seen in the contralateral hemisphere in all but one patient with versive seizures. Generalized motor seizures (clinically generalized at onset) were accompanied either by focal (19 of 51; 37%) or generalized (32 of 51; 63%) EEG seizures. Hypomotor seizures also were associated with focal (14 of 20; 70%) or generalized (six of 20; 30%) EEG seizures. Four patients with generalized epileptic spasms had generalized EEG seizures in the setting of focal epilepsy based on neuroimaging, interictal EEG, and in two cases also on postresection seizure freedom. Seizure types not seen in this age group included auras, seizures with prominent automatisms (except in one case), and classic generalized tonic-clonic seizures. CONCLUSIONS: The repertoire of seizure manifestation in the first 3 years of life appears to be limited. In infants, focal motor seizures are reliably associated with focal EEG seizures in the contralateral hemisphere, whereas generalized motor and hypomotor clinical seizures may be either focal or generalized on EEG. Epileptic spasms may be seen in focal as well as generalized epilepsies. Video-EEG monitoring and neuroimaging may be critical for clarifying the focal or generalized nature of the epilepsy in infants.     

癫痫患者出生与出生后的危险因素分析

目的　调查癫痫患者在出生时与出生后的危险因素。方法　采用华盛顿癫痫心理社会问卷对 2 0 0例成年癫痫患者进行了调查 ,并与 2 0 0例正常人做了对照分析。结果　癫痫分类以全身性发作 134例 (6 7% ) ,16～ 30岁 12 0例 (6 0 % )。危险因素 :难产和产伤 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,新生儿黄疸 ,脑炎 /脑膜炎和高血压 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,发热惊厥和脑外伤 (P <0 .0 1)。家族高危因素有癫痫和偏头痛 (P <0 .0 1) ,精神病、脑中风和高血压 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　癫痫患者出生时与出生后的危险因素与癫痫的发病密切相关。