COVID-19 prevalence and mortality in people with epilepsy: A nation-wide multicenter study

• Published in: Epilepsy & behavior Vol. 125; p. 108379
• Main Authors: Sanchez-Larsen, Alvaro, Conde-Blanco, Estefanía, Viloria-Alebesque, Alejandro, Sánchez-Vizcaíno Buendía, Cristina, Espinosa Oltra, Tatiana, Alvarez-Noval, Amanda, Aledo-Serrano, Angel, Martin-Garcia, Raquel, Ramos-Araque, María E., Campos, Dulce, Valle-Peñacoba, Gonzalo, Sierra-Gómez, Alicia, De Ceballos-Cerrajería, Pablo, Agundez-Sarasola, Marta, Khawaja, Mariam, Hampel, Kevin G., Serra-Martínez, Maria, Arbós-Barber, Clara, Gómez-Ibáñez, Asier, Villino-Boquete, Rafael, Cabezudo-García, Pablo, Rodríguez-Lavado, Ignacio, Principe, Alessandro, Sopelana-Garay, David
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.12.2021
• Subjects: Aged; Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; Epilepsy; Epilepsy - epidemiology; Humans; Middle Aged; Prevalence; Retrospective Studies; SARS-CoV-2; Seizures; COVID-19; Prevalence; Coronavirus, SARS-CoV-2; Epilepsy; Seizures
• ISSN: 1525-5050; 1525-5069
• DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108379

•PWE had a higher prevalence of COVID-19 compared with the general population, although the differences were modest.•PWE were hospitalized, admitted to ICU, and died due to COVID-19 more frequently than the general population.•Seizure control remained stable during COVID-19 and throughout long-term follow-up in most PWE who contracted the infection. To assess the prevalence, severity, and mortality of COVID-19 in people with epilepsy (PWE) and evaluate seizure control in PWE during and after COVID-19. Retrospective, observational, multicenter study conducted in 14 hospitals. Medical records of randomly selected PWE followed at neurology outpatient clinics were reviewed. Proportion of PWE with a positive test for SARS-CoV-2 during 2020 was calculated. Risk factors associated with COVID-19 and its morbimortality were evaluated. 2751 PWE were included, mean age 48.8 years (18–99), 72.4% had focal epilepsy, and 35% were drug-refractory. COVID-19 prevalence in PWE was 5.53%, while in the Spanish population was 4.26%. Proportion of admissions to hospital, ICU, and deaths in PWE were 17.1%, 2%, and 4.61% of COVID-19 cases, while in Spanish population were 10.81%, 0.95%, and 2.57%, respectively. A severe form of COVID-19 occurred in 11.8%; dyslipidemia, institutionalization at long-term care facilities, intellectual disability, and older age were associated risk factors. Older age, hypertension, dyslipidemia, cardiac disease, and institutionalization were associated with mortality from COVID-19. Seizure control was stable in 90.1% of PWE during acute COVID-19, while 8.6% reported an increase in seizure frequency. During post-COVID-19 follow-up, 4.6% reported seizure control worsening. COVID-19 was moderately prevalent in PWE. One out of 5 patients required medical attention and 4.6% died due to COVID-19. Older age, dyslipidemia, institutionalization, and intellectual disability were significant risk factors associated with severe COVID-19. Seizure control remained stable during COVID-19 and throughout long-term follow-up in most PWE who contracted the infection.