Poststroke epilepsy: occurrence and predictors--a long-term prospective controlled study (Akershus Stroke Study)

PURPOSE: The aims of the study were to assess the occurrence of poststroke epilepsy (PSE) in patients with ischemic strokes, to identify predictors, and to investigate whether treatment in a stroke unit (SU) influenced the long-term outcomes of epilepsy. METHODS: Patients with PSE, defined as those having two ore more unprovoked epileptic seizures > or = 1 week after an ischemic stroke, were identified from a cohort of 484 patients with ischemic strokes. The patients were prospectively assessed 7-8 years after stroke or until death. Different variables were studied to look for possible predictors. RESULTS: From 484 patients with ischemic strokes, PSE developed in 12 (2.5%) and 15 (3.1%) patients during the first year and 7-8 years after stroke, respectively. Eight (53%) of these patients were treated in a stroke unit (SU), and seven (47%) were treated in a general medical ward (GMW). The mean age of those who developed PSE and those who did not was 74.3 years and 76.3 years, respectively. In a multivariate analysis, a Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS) score < 30 on admission was a significant predictor for developing PSE odds ratio (OR), 4.9; p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of PSE, 7 to 8 years after an ischemic stroke, was 3.1%. SSS scores < 30 on admission were a significant predictor for PSE. Neither treatment in SU versus GMW, cortical location, nor age at onset of stroke seemed to influence the risk of developing PSE.