Abstract
Background: Epilepsy is a major health problem in developing countries including India. The epilepsy incidence has been steadily increasing by average annual rate of 3.5% in the elderly population over the past 2 decades. There is considerable variability in causes and risk factors for seizures and epilepsy in the elderly. Studies in rural population regarding profile of seizure patients in elderly are lacking.
Aim: To evaluate profile of seizures in elderly population attending a tertiary rural medical institute in central India.
Methods: This was a cross sectional study carried out on elderly patients who had seizures and satisfied inclusion and exclusion criteria. All patients underwent through history, examination and investigations. Statistical analysis of the data was performed.
Results: Total 101 patients were included in this study, out of which 61 patients were male and 40 were female. 20 patients belonged to age group between 61-70 years(19.80%), 49 patients were in age group between 71-80 years(48.51%) and 32 out of 101 patients were in age group above 80 years(31.68%). 17 had diabetes mellitus (16.83%), 21 were known hypertensive (20.79%), were as 13 patients were suffering from both diabetes mellitus and hypertension (12.87%). However in 38 patients no comorbidities were present (37.62%). 4 patients were having coronary artery disease (11.88%). 57 had GTCS (56.44%), 16 had episodes of simple partial seizure (15.84%), 20 patients had complex partial seizures (19.80%). 8 out of 101 patients presented with status epilepticus (7.92%). In this study aetiology of seizures could not be determined in 30 patients (29.70%). Stroke was most common aetiology identified for seizures.
Conclusion: GTCS is most common type of seizure in elderly population (56.44%). Stroke is the most common aetiology identified in rural elderly population (38.61%). However no aetiology was found in 29.7% patients. Most of the patient (62.38%) included in this study have comorbid conditions like diabetes, hypertension and coronary artery disease.
Keywords: Epilepsy; Seizure; Stroke; Diabetes Mellitus; Hypertension; Elderly.
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DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v5i6.151
