Predictive factors of epilepsy outcome in a sample of Egyptian pre-elderly and elderly population

• Published in: The Egyptian Journal of Neurology, Psychiatry and Neurosurgery Vol. 57; no. 1; pp. 1 - 7
• Main Authors: Gerges, Steven Emil, El Rakawy, Mahmoud Hemeda, El Khayat, Naglaa Mohammed, Abdelhamid, Yousry Abo Elnaga, Hazzou, Ahmed Mohammed, Shokri, Hossam Mohammed, Wahid El din, Mona Mokthar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Berlin/Heidelberg Springer Berlin Heidelberg 01.04.2021; Springer Nature B.V; SpringerOpen
• Subjects: Convulsions & seizures; Egyptian; Elderly; Epilepsy; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neurology; Neurosurgery; Older people; Population; Predictive factors; Psychiatry; Predictive factors; Elderly; Egyptian; Epilepsy
• ISSN: 1110-1083; 1687-8329
• DOI: 10.1186/s41983-021-00297-1

Background Elderly people with epilepsy are large, but neglected group. Data on the predictive factors for recurrent seizures in the elderly population are inconclusive or are not known for the majority of patients. This is especially true for the Egyptian population as no specific study was concluded to address this issue before. Objectives The aim of this study was to detect the predictive factors of epilepsy outcome in a sample of Egyptian aged population. Materials and methods A total of 100 patients aged 50 years or older with epilepsy diagnosed according to International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) latest definition were included in the study and followed up for 6 months as regards seizure control. All participants were prospectively evaluated for epidemiological, clinical, radiological, electrodiagnostic, and laboratory data. Results The outcome was statistically significant affected in relation to absence of medical comorbidities ( P  = 0.037), seizure etiology ( P  = 0.007), history of status epilepticus ( P  <  0.001), MRI brain findings ( P  = 0.005), EEG changes ( P  <  0.001), Ca ( P  = 0.01), and Mg level ( P  = 0.046). Conclusion We conclude that aged Egyptian epileptic population with no medical comorbidities, normal MRI brain, or normal EEG can be predicted to have good outcome of their epilepsy while patients with post stroke epilepsy, abnormal MRI brain, and abnormal EEG, with low serum Ca or Mg level can be predicted to have poor outcome.