Search

Objective: We investigated the opinions and knowledge of the caregivers of people with epilepsy (PWE) and the related healthcare professionals (i.e., nurses and physicians) in Iran about first aid measures for helping a person experiencing a seizure.Methods: In this exploratory and descriptive study, we surveyed the caregivers of all PWE admitted to the epilepsy monitoring unit at Namazi Hospital, Shiraz, Iran, in May 2022. We also surveyed all the nurses at this hospital. A similar survey was distributed in the WhatsApp groups of the neurology, pediatrics, internal medicine, family physician, psychiatry, and neurosurgery physicians working at places affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.Results: In total, 583 nurses, 70 physicians, and 133 caregivers participated in this study. On most questions, more caregivers provided inappropriate responses than nurses and physicians (e.g., not timing the seizure; not loosening the clothes around the neck; not rolling the patient onto the side if unconscious). On two questions, more caregivers provided appropriate responses than nurses and physicians (i.e., not putting something into the mouth; not always calling for emergency medical services).Conclusion: While some actions may help prevent or reduce the chance of harmful consequences of epileptic seizures, many caregivers of PWE and healthcare professionals do not apply appropriate measures to help a patient experiencing a seizure. The scientific community should develop standardized seizure first aid training programs for the general public and healthcare professionals alike. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We identified eight manuscripts. • Two models were identified. • Such epilepsy centers should spread epilepsy awareness. The aim of the current study was to systematically review the literature on establishing epilepsy care centers in resource-limited nations in the world and to provide a comprehensive roadmap on this significantly needed endeavor. This work may provide guidance on how to develop an epilepsy care center in other resource-limited places in the world. Web of science, Science Direct, and MEDLINE (accessed from PubMed) from inception to March 2023 were systematically searched for relevant published manuscripts. In all electronic databases, the following search strategy was implemented and these key words were used (title/abstract): epilepsy AND resource. The inclusion criteria were all original studies and articles written in English. We could identify nine manuscripts on how to successfully establish an epilepsy care center in resource-limited countries. Two models were identified for such an endeavor: developing a team of trained healthcare professionals (e.g., in Iran, India, China, Vietnam) or a twin affiliation between an advanced epilepsy surgery program in a developed country and a starting program in a developing country (e.g., in Georgia, Tunisia). In order to successfully establish an epilepsy care center in resource-limited countries four pillars are needed: presence of skillful healthcare professionals, having access to basic investigative technologies (i.e., MRI and EEG), a careful planning, and raising awareness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cluster analysis showed that there were two distinct clusters of homogeneous subgroups of patients with JME. • Response to treatment was different between the clusters (as a trend) (p = 0.076). • It is ideal to apply this technique of statistical analysis on a very large dataset of patients in a multicenter study. The purpose of the current study was to apply Two-step cluster analysis on a large dataset of patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME). We hypothesized that there are distinct subgroups of patients with similar clinical characteristics. We also hypothesized that the seizure outcome is different between these clusters. This was a retrospective study of a prospectively developed database. All patients with a diagnosis of JME were studied at the epilepsy center at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, from 2008 until 2022. The Two-Step cluster analysis (Schwarz's Bayesian Criterion) was applied to the whole dataset. In the next step, the seizure outcome was compared between the clusters of patients. Two hundred and ninety-five patients were included. Two-Step cluster analysis showed that there were two distinct clusters of homogeneous subgroups of patients with JME, presenting with more or less similar clinical characteristics, with a fair (0.4) silhouette measure of cohesion and separation. One hundred and eighty-one patients had a follow up duration of 12 months or longer at our center. Response to treatment at 12 months of follow-up was different between the clusters (as a trend): 43 patients (39.1%) from cluster 1 and 18 people (25.4%) from cluster 2 were free of all seizure types (p = 0.076). The Two-Step cluster analysis identified two distinct clusters of patients with JME. Individuals with JME, who also have absence seizures, are less likely to enjoy a seizure free state with ASMs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the opinions of physicians about brain surgery for drug-resistant epilepsy worldwide.Methods: Practicing neurologists, psychiatrists, and neurosurgeons from around the world were invited to participate in an online survey. The survey anonymously collected data about demographics, years in clinical practice, discipline, nation, work setting, and answers to the questions about beliefs and attitudes about brain surgery for drug-resistant epilepsy.Results: In total, 1410 physicians from 20 countries and different world regions participated. The propensity to discuss brain surgery with patients, who have drug-resistant seizures, was higher among men (versus women) [Odds Ratio (OR) 1.67, 95% CI 1.20-2.31; p = 0.002]. In comparison to neurologists, psychiatrists were less likely (OR 0.28, 95% CI 0.17-0.47; p < 0.001) and neurosurgeons were more likely (OR 2.00, 95% CI 1.08-3.72; p = 0.028) to discuss about it. Survey participants working in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics showed a lower propensity to discuss epilepsy surgery with patients.Conclusion: This study showed that on an international level, there is still a knowledge gap concerning epilepsy surgery and much needs to be done to identify and overcome barriers to epilepsy surgery for patients with drug-resistant seizures worldwide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We tried to differentiate childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) from juvenile absence epilepsy (JAE) based on their clinical characteristics. We planned to identify a cutoff point for the age at onset of seizures between CAE and JAE that is able to reliably predict the presence of generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) (that has important implications for treatment strategy and outcome prediction).Methods: This was a retrospective database study. All patients with an electro-clinical diagnosis of CAE or JAE were studied at the outpatient epilepsy clinic at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, from 2008 until 2022. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used for the statistical analysis to predict a cutoff point for the age at onset of seizures between the syndromes.Results: One hundred and ninety-six patients were studied. Generalized tonic-clonic seizure was reported by 134 patients (68.4%). The ROC curve of the age at seizure onset was an acceptable indicator to anticipate GTCS; the best cutoff point was at 9.65 years; 87 patients (44.4%) had CAE and 109 people (55.6%) had JAE. The odds ratio of the presence of GTCS in JAE compared with CAE was 3.6.Conclusion: Syndrome diagnosis of CAE vs. JAE has important practical implications. The age at onset of seizures serves as a reliable and meaningful variable to differentiate CAE from JAE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To investigate the seizure outcome in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) and its associated factors. We also investigated the social outcome of these patients.Methods: This was a retrospective study. All patients with a diagnosis of JME were studied at the outpatient epilepsy clinic at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, from 2008 until 2019. In a phone call to the patients, at least 24 months after their diagnosis at our center, we investigated their current seizure control state and social status.Results: One hundred and thirty-five patients were studied [92 women (68.1%) and 43 men (31.9%)]. Fifty-three patients (39.3%) were seizure-free (of all seizure types) during the past 12 months; 91 patients (67.4%) reported to be free of generalized tonic-clonic seizures. At the time of the follow-up call, 71 patients (52.6%) reported having a college education, 56 patients (41.5%) were employed, 87 patients (64.4%) were married, and 57 patients (42.2%) reported driving a motor vehicle in their routine daily lives. In total, 101 patients (74.8%) reported that their status (generally, and considering all the variables) was better than that it used to be five years ago.Conclusion: We may conclude that JME at tertiary referral centers is not as benign as it was suggested by some authors before. Furthermore, the employment status of patients with JME is significantly worse than that in the corresponding general populations. However, most patients with JME may enjoy marital status and educational levels comparable to those by the general public. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Drug Resistant -Epilepsy is still a major challenge in pharmacotherapy of epilepsy. Pharmacogenetic pathways are one of the most important elements that can help clinicians determine medication response and provide more efficient drug therapy, especially in cases of drug resistance. Genetic alterations in drug target and transporter proteins, in part, could explain the development of drug-resistant epilepsy. We sought to assess the association of CYP3A5 (rs776746), SCN1A (rs2298771) and ABCG2 (rs2231137) candidate polymorphisms with drug-resistant epilepsy among Iranian children with epilepsy.Methods: In a hospital-based case-control study, 93 participants, including 45 men and 48 women aged 1.5 to 14 years old were recruited. Genotyping of CYP3A5 (rs776746), SCN1A (rs2298771) and ABCG2 (rs2231137) polymorphisms using the high-resolution melting (HRM) method were measured in 46 children with drug-resistant epilepsy and 47 healthy control subjects. The binary logistic regression model was used to estimate the odds ratio (OR) for each polymorphism per effect allele increase.Results: The mean (standard deviation [SD]) age of the drug-resistant patients was 10.7 (9.0) years versus 7.3 (3.6) in the control group. In the case group, most of the patients with epilepsy were diagnosed with generalized seizure (about 87%) and negative epileptic history status (63%). Furthermore, idiopathic epilepsy was dominant in the case group (69%). There was a clinically meaningful increase in the chance of drug-resistant epilepsy in participants with candidate polymorphism in ABCG2 gene (per allele T increase, adjusted odds ratio [OR] 2.41, confidence interval [CI] 0.99 to 5.87, P=0.05). No significant association was found between CYP3A5 (per allele C increase, OR 0.92, CI 0.33 to 2.60, P= 0.88) and SCN1A (per allele *1 increase, OR 0.65, 95% CI 0.34 to 1.23, P= 0.19) with drug-resistant epilepsy.Conclusion: We found evidence for the relationship between the ABCG2 gene polymorphism and a higher chance of drug-resistant epilepsy in children. This finding may have important implications for understanding the role of ABCG2 gene polymorphism in children with drug-resistant epilepsy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: We applied the Two-Step cluster analysis on a large cohort of patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS). We hypothesized that there are distinct clusters of patients with LGS based on their clinical characteristics. We also studied whether the seizure outcome differs between these patient clusters.Methods: This was a longitudinal study of a prospectively developed database. All patients with a diagnosis of LGS were studied at the outpatient epilepsy clinic at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, from 2008 until 2020. The Two-Step cluster analysis (Schwarz's Bayesian Criterion: BIC) was applied to the whole dataset considering the demographic data, seizure types, and EEG data. In the next step, the seizure outcome was compared between the clusters of patients.Results: Two hundred and fifty-eight patients were studied. The Two-Step cluster analysis showed that there were three clusters of homogeneous subgroups of patients with LGS, with a fair silhouette measure of cohesion and separation. The seizure outcomes were significantly different between the clusters. In cluster 1, three out of 35 patients (8.6%) were seizure-free; in cluster 2, 13 out of 34 patients (38.2%) were seizure-free; and in cluster 3, nine out of 49 patients (18.4%) were seizure-free (p = 0.009; df: 2).Conclusion: The Two-Step cluster analysis could identify three distinct clusters of patients with LGS; these data are helpful in providing appropriate prognosis and counselling for patients and their care-givers. Future studies should also investigate the effects of etiology in cluster analysis of patients with LGS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: We systematically reviewed the existing literature on the cosmetic adverse effects of antiseizure medications (ASMs) in order to depict a clear picture of these unwanted side effects of ASMs with a particular attention to hair loss, hirsutism, acne, and gingival hyperplasia.Methods: This systematic review was prepared according to the recommendations of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. Scopus, MEDLINE, and Google Scholar from the inception to 25 March, 2021 were systematically searched. These key words (title/abstract) were used: "hair loss" OR "hirsutism" OR "acne" OR "gingival hyperplasia" AND "seizure" OR "epilepsy" OR "anriseizure" OR "antiepileptic". The exclusion criteria included: non-original studies, articles not in English, and animal studies.Results: The primary search yielded 3938 studies; 127 studies were related to the topic and were included in the current systematic review. The most robust evidence on cosmetic adverse effects of ASMs were related to phenytoin (causing gingival hyperplasia, hirsutism, and acne) and valproate (causing hair loss and hirsutism); however, many other ASMs were also implicated in causing these cosmetic adverse effects.Conclusion: Antiseizure medications may be associated with various cosmetic adverse effects. Phenytoin and valproate are the most notorious ASMs in this regard; but, other ASMs have also been implicated in causing hair loss, hirsutism, acne, and gingival hyperplasia. Physicians should pay more attention to these significant adverse effects that may affect a patient's facial attractiveness, quality of life, and emotional state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of the current study was to investigate the risk factors for post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) in a large cohort of patients after severe non-penetrating civilian traumatic brain injury (TBI).Methods: This was a longitudinal study. All patients with a severe non-penetrating TBI, who were admitted at the neuro-intensive care unit of Shahid Rajaee Trauma Hospital, affiliated with Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, from 2015 until 2019, were studied. Severe TBI was defined as a Glasgow Coma Scale-Motor score below six. Post-traumatic epilepsy was defined as any seizures that occurred after being discharged from the hospital.Results: In total, 803 patients with severe non-penetrating TBI were studied; 82 patients (10.2%) reported any late post-traumatic seizures (PTSs). A higher Glasgow outcome scale (extended) at discharge was significantly inversely associated with PTE [Odds Ratio (OR)= 0.76, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 0.65-0.87; p = 0.0001]. Depressed skull fracture (OR= 1.88, 95% CI: 0.92-3.80; p = 0.081), epi‑dural hematoma (OR= 1.67, 95% CI: 0.93-2.97; p = 0.083), and sub-dural hematoma (OR= 1.64, 95% CI: 0.96-2.78; p = 0.068) were associated with PTE as trends.Conclusion: Our study adds to the literature on the risk of PTE after severe non-penetrating civilian TBI. Our large sample size and also the application of a logistic regression analysis model may suggest that other variables (e.g., depressed skull fracture and intracranial hematoma) are indeed associated with the Glasgow outcome scale (extended) at discharge and that is why they lost their significance in the model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of the current endeavor was to systematically review the existing evidence on brain connectivity abnormalities in patients with functional seizures (FS).Methods: This systematic review was prepared according to the instructions of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) statement. MEDLINE (accessed from PubMed) and Scopus from inception to April 4, 2020 were systematically searched. The following search strategy was implemented and these key words (in the title/abstract) were used: "connectivity" OR "network" AND "psychogenic" OR "dissociative" OR "nonepileptic".Results: Through the search strategy, we could identify eighteen articles. These studies have applied various methodologies and they could identify a variety of brain connectivity abnormalities in people with FS. However, none of these studies provided a high level of evidence. They were all small studies (none had a sample size of more than 21 patients). In addition, most of the studies did not match their cases and their controls with respect to the psychiatric comorbidities and other significant confounders.Conclusion: Abnormal functional connectivity between emotion processing areas of the brain with regions involved in executive control and cognitive performance, and the functional connections of the anterior cingulate cortex are of major interest and may be involved in the pathophysiology of FS. Pursuing the concept of brain connectivity abnormalities in patients with FS and comparing the findings with well-matched controls in well-designed studies may result in a breakthrough in identifying the exact neurobiological origin of FS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurotropic and neuroinvasive capabilities of coronaviruses have been described in humans. Neurological problems found in patients with coronavirus infection include: febrile seizures, convulsions, loss of consciousness, encephalomyelitis, and encephalitis. Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is caused by SARS-CoV2. In severe cases, patients may develop severe pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, and acute cardiac injury. While seizures and status epilepticus have not been widely reported in the past five months since the onset of COVID-19 pandemic, patients with COVID-19 may have hypoxia, multiorgan failure, and severe metabolic and electrolyte disarrangements; hence, it is plausible to expect clinical or subclinical acute symptomatic seizures to happen in these patients. One should be prepared to treat seizures appropriately, if they happen in a patient who is already in a critical medical condition and suffers from organ failure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of the current study was to depict a comprehensive geographical picture of the existing literature on psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) and to highlight the needs for future works.Methods: We searched the electronic database PubMed on June 8, 2019 for articles that included any of the related key words to analyze all the relevant literature. We applied the advance search; field was adjusted to the title and dates were adjusted to 01/01/2000 until 06/08/2019. We selected the relevant articles. Location of the study was determined according to the affiliation(s) of the authors.Results: 1017 papers were included. Interest in research and publication on PNES has risen over the past two decades. Six hundred and nine full length research original papers and 199 review articles were published on PubMed from 2000 until 2019. Continent-wise, most articles were from North America and Europe (41.1% of the whole publications from Europe and 40.8% from North America; 833 papers totally), followed by Asia (92 papers), Oceania (36 papers) and South America (31 publications), while only 0.9% of the papers (9 papers) were from Africa.Conclusion: A global campaign is necessary to inform and educate the world on the issue of PNES and its significance. While PNES merit further epidemiological investigations, there is a significant disparity with regard to the location of the studies. There is a huge need to invest more on studies on various aspects of PNES in many places in the world, including African nations, India, and China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We compared various clinical characteristics of pediatric-onset psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) between patients from five countries. The purpose of this study was to advance our understanding of pediatric-onset PNES cross-culturally.Methods: In this retrospective study, we compared consecutive patients with PNES with an age at onset of 16 years and younger from epilepsy monitoring units in Iran, Brazil, the USA, Canada, and Venezuela. Age, gender, age at seizure onset, seizure semiology, predisposing factors, and video-EEG recordings of all patients were extracted. Pearson Chi-Square, one-way ANOVA and Bonferroni correction tests were used for statistical analyses.Results: Two hundred twenty-nine patients were studied (83 from Iran, 50 from Brazil, 39 from Canada, 30 from the USA, and 27 from Venezuela). Mean age at the onset of seizures was 12.1 ± 3.2 years (range: 4-16 years). The sex ratio of the patients was 1.83: 1 (148 females and 81 males). Clinical characteristics of pediatric-onset PNES showed some significant differences among the nations. However, factors associated with pediatric-onset PNES in these five nations were similar.Conclusion: This study underscores how international cross-cultural studies can make important contributions to our understanding of PNES. Patients with pediatric-onset PNES from different countries were similar on many risk factors associated with PNES. This suggests universality in many features of PNES. However, intriguing differences were also noted with regard to seizure semiology, which might be the result of cultural factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• 1492 patients were studied (559 patients with IGE, 646 people with TLE, and 287 persons with FS). • 77 (5.2%) individuals had severe head injuries before the onset of their seizures [9 patients (1.6%) with IGE, 56 people (8.7%) with TLE, and 12 persons (4.2%) with FS; p = 0.0001]. • Compared to people with IGE, the odds ratio of having a premorbid history of severe head injury in the FS group was 2.67 [95% confidence interval (CI): 1.11–6.40; p = 0.0280]. • Compared to people with TLE, the odds ratio of having a premorbid history of severe head injury in the FS group was 0.46 (95% CI: 0.24–0.87; p = 0.0170). The aim of the current study was to compare the frequency of significant head injuries in three groups of people with seizures [idiopathic generalized epilepsies (IGE) vs. temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) vs. functional seizures (FS)]. This was a retrospective study. All patients with a diagnosis of IGE, TLE, or FS were recruited at the outpatient epilepsy clinic at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, from 2008 until 2020. One thousand and four hundred ninety-two patients were studied (559 patients with IGE, 646 people with TLE, and 287 persons with FS). Overall, 77 (5.2%) individuals of the studied people reported experiencing severe head injuries before the onset of their seizures [9 patients (1.6%) with IGE, 56 people (8.7%) with TLE, and 12 persons (4.2%) with FS; p = 0.0001]. Compared to people with IGE, the odds ratio of having a premorbid history of severe head injury in the FS group was 2.67 [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.11–6.40; p = 0.0280]. Compared to people with TLE, the odds ratio of having a premorbid history of severe head injury in the FS group was 0.46 (95% CI: 0.24–0.87; p = 0.0170). Severe head injury is significantly associated with FS. However, since head injury is also a significant risk factor for focal epilepsies, it may be necessary to ascertain the diagnosis of post-traumatic seizures by obtaing a detailed clinical history and also by performing video-EEG monitoring in order to adopt an appropriate treatment strategy in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of the current study was to compare the frequency of significant head injuries in three groups of people with seizures [idiopathic generalized epilepsies (IGE) vs. temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) vs. functional seizures (FS)].Methods: This was a retrospective study. All patients with a diagnosis of IGE, TLE, or FS were recruited at the outpatient epilepsy clinic at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, from 2008 until 2020.Results: One thousand and four hundred ninety-two patients were studied (559 patients with IGE, 646 people with TLE, and 287 persons with FS). Overall, 77 (5.2%) individuals of the studied people reported experiencing severe head injuries before the onset of their seizures [9 patients (1.6%) with IGE, 56 people (8.7%) with TLE, and 12 persons (4.2%) with FS; p = 0.0001]. Compared to people with IGE, the odds ratio of having a premorbid history of severe head injury in the FS group was 2.67 [95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.11-6.40; p = 0.0280]. Compared to people with TLE, the odds ratio of having a premorbid history of severe head injury in the FS group was 0.46 (95% CI: 0.24-0.87; p = 0.0170).Conclusion: Severe head injury is significantly associated with FS. However, since head injury is also a significant risk factor for focal epilepsies, it may be necessary to ascertain the diagnosis of post-traumatic seizures by obtaing a detailed clinical history and also by performing video-EEG monitoring in order to adopt an appropriate treatment strategy in these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To compare auras between three groups of people with seizures [i.e., Idiopathic generalized epilepsies (IGE) vs. Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) vs. Functional seizures (FS)].Methods: All patients, 10 years of age or older, with a diagnosis of IGE, TLE, or FS were prospectively registered in an electronic database and retrospectively studied at the outpatient epilepsy clinic at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran, from 2008 until 2020.Results: One thousand and three hundred ninety-one patients were studied (480 with IGE, 617 with TLE, and 294 with FS). Among patients with TLE, 63.5% of individuals reported auras; this figure was 68% in the FS and 12.7% in the IGE groups (p < 0.00001). Odds ratio of having auras in the TLE group compared with the IGE group was 11.96 (95% CI: 8.73-16.39; p = 0.0001). Odds ratio of having auras in the TLE group compared with the FS group was 0.81 (95% CI: 0.61-1.10; p = 0.1840). Odds ratio of having auras in the FS group compared with the IGE group was 14.61 (95% CI: 10.15-21.02; p = 0.0001). The following auras were more frequent among patients with TLE: emotional, cognitive, epigastric, and olfactory/gustatory. The following auras were more frequent among patients with FS: headache and dizziness/vertigo.Conclusion: Auras are not specific to focal epilepsies. Future studies should investigate auras in large cohorts of patients with focal or generalized epilepsies and also those with FS to determine the exact clinical value of each aura. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of the current study was to investigate whether seizure is among the presenting manifestations of COVID-19.Methods: All patients referred to emergency rooms anywhere in Iran between 12 and 25 April 2020 and who were sufficiently ill to require hospital admission with COVID-19, confirmed by a positive COVID-19 test, were studied. Data on the presenting manifestations were collected.Results: Of 5872 people, who were admitted to hospitals in Iran with COVID-19 during the study period, 45 came to the emergency room with seizures. This makes seizure as the presenting manifestation of COVID-19 in 0.8 % of all patients with a severe illness. 93 % of the patients were 15 years of age and older. Four of the individuals presenting with seizures (9%) had a past history of epilepsy. Fifteen of these individuals (33 %) had other chronic medical conditions (e.g., cancer, diabetes mellitus, heart disease, etc.).Conclusion: This case series provides evidence that seizures are among the presenting manifestations of COVID-19 in 0.8 % of the patients who are admitted to hospital due to a severe illness. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We investigated the driving rate and the rate of road traffic accidents in patients with functional seizures. We hypothesized that road traffic accidents are common in these patients.Methods: In this long-term study, all patients with functional seizures, who were diagnosed at Shiraz Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Iran, from 2008 until 2018, were investigated. In a phone call interview in February 2020, we obtained the following information: seizure outcome, driving a motor vehicle, experiencing any road traffic accidents in the past 12 months, and their drug regimen.Results: 100 patients participated; 41 patients were driving a motor vehicle in their routine daily lives. Seizure freedom [Odds Ratio (OR): 6.15; 95 % Confidence Interval (CI): 1.95-19.35; p = 0.002] and being employed (OR: 10.66; 95 % CI: 3.03-37.49; p = 0.0001) were significantly associated with driving a motor vehicle. Five patients reported experiencing road traffic accidents while driving a motor vehicle in the past 12 months. All these five patients reported being seizure-free.Conclusion: The majority of patients with functional seizures do not drive a motor vehicle; fear of seizures is a significant determinant. When patients with functional seizures achieve seizure freedom, the rate of driving a motor vehicle increases significantly. The rate of road traffic accidents in patients with functional seizures does not seem to be high. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the long-term outcome of patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES), who never visited a psychologist and never received a proper therapy for their condition (due to lack of resources). We also aimed to investigate factors potentially associated with the outcome in these patients.Methods: We studied all patients with PNES, who were admitted to the epilepsy monitoring unit at the Shiraz Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, from 2008 until 2013. In a phone call interview to the patients in November and December 2018, we obtained the following information: seizure outcome, history of receiving any psychotherapy after confirming their diagnosis at referral, and finally, their current marital status, education, and employment status.Results: 69 patients had the inclusion criteria. Thirty-six patients (52%) were seizure-free during the past 12 months, but 33 (48%) still suffer from seizures. The only variable (at diagnosis), which was significantly associated with their outcome, was duration of their condition before they received a definite diagnosis.Conclusion: More than half of the patients with untreated PNES may become free of seizures after they receive a definite diagnosis and with the passage of time. Longer duration of PNES before the patients received a definite diagnosis may affect their long-term outcome. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency of dramatic presentations of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) (i.e., urine incontinence and ictal injury) and to characterize the patients' historical risk factors that may be associated with such dramatic manifestations.Methods: In this retrospective database study, all patients with PNES, who were investigated at Shiraz Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, from 2008 until 2018, were studied.Results: 259 patients with PNES-only were studied. Thirty-one patients (12%) reported experiencing urinary incontinence. Seventy-five patients (29%) reported having a bodily injury. The associated injuries were as follows: lacerations (35; 13.5%), tongue biting (32; 12%), fractures (5; 2%), burns (2; 1%), and dental injuries (1; 0.5%). Fifty-seven (67%) patients with one of these features and 91 patients (53%) without any of these features were taking antiepileptic drugs; the difference was significant (p = 0.03).Conclusion: Patients with PNES may frequently present with dramatic features including, ictal injury or urinary incontinence, and as a result are at great risk of receiving wrong diagnosis and unnecessary treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of the current study was to investigate the long-term outcome of patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) and factors potentially associated with their outcome in Iran.Methods: We investigated all patients with PNES admitted to the epilepsy monitoring unit at the Shiraz Comprehensive Epilepsy Center from 2008 through 2013. Patients included in this study had a confirmed diagnosis of PNES. In a phone call interview to the patients in December 2017, we obtained the following information: seizure outcome (seizure-free during the past 12 months or not), history of receiving any psychotherapy after confirming their diagnosis in the past, and number of psychotherapy sessions the patient had received.Results: Eighty-six patients (54 females and 32 males) met the inclusion criteria. Seventy-four (86%) patients did not receive appropriate psychotherapy. Forty-seven (54.7%) patients were seizure-free during the past 12 months. Age at onset (P = 0.02), education (P = 0.01), and taking psychiatric drugs (P = 0.007) were associated with this outcome.Conclusions: Resources to treat patients with PNES are limited in Iran; however, more than half of the patients became free of seizures. Lower education, comorbid psychiatric problems, and a later age at the onset of seizures may affect the seizure outcome in patients with PNES. Well-designed multi-center cross-cultural long-term studies should address factors associated with outcome in patients with PNES, considering that seizure frequency should not be the only outcome measure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The purpose of this review was to investigate the prevalence of depression in people with epilepsy (PWE) in different countries in Asia.Methods: We searched the electronic database PubMed on June 13, 2017 for articles in English that included the following search terms: "epilepsy" AND "depression" AND "country name" for all Asian countries since 1947. Relevant original studies from Asia were included if they reported the prevalence of depression in PWE. Papers studying special populations (e.g., elderly, veterans, etc.) were not included. In addition, experts in epilepsy field were invited from some Asian countries for an in-depth assessment.Results: Six hundred eighty-seven papers were reviewed and 26 related studies were included in this study. Depression is highly prevalent in PWE in different countries in Asia and the prevalence rates are consistent with rates reported in the literature from other countries: overall, about 25% of PWE suffer from depression.Conclusion: In Asian countries, as elsewhere, depression is common in PWE. High quality data is scarce in many countries and validated screening tools [e.g., Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (NDDI-E)] to appropriately investigate the prevalence of depression in PWE are still lacking in many languages. Considering the high prevalence of depression among PWE, routine and periodic screening of all PWE for early detection and appropriate management of depression would be a reasonable approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: We investigated the sex ratio trajectory across the lifespan in patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES). We hypothesized that there are significant changes in the trajectory of the sex ratio in these patients across the lifespan with respect to the age at onset.Methods: In this retrospective study, all patients with PNES, who were diagnosed at Shiraz Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Iran, from 2008 until 2019, were investigated. We arbitrarily categorized the patients into five groups according to the age at onset of their PNES [pre-puberty (≤ 14 years), adolescence (15 years to < 19 years), young adulthood (19-25 years), adulthood (26-45 years), and post-menopausal (≥ 46 years)].Results: During the study period, 275 patients with PNES-only had the inclusion criteria. The sex ratios (female to male) of the studied groups according to the age at onset of PNES were as follows: pre-puberty (13:14 = 0.93), adolescence (32:21 = 1.52), young adulthood (54:33 = 1.64), adulthood (71:26 = 2.73), and post-menopausal (7:4 = 1.75). In two-by-two comparison of the group with the lowest sex ratio (pre-puberty) and the group with the highest sex ratio (adulthood) the difference was significant (p = 0.01).Conclusion: We postulate that the higher prevalence of PNES in women may be partly associated with lifetime sex hormone fluctuations; this female preponderance appears during puberty and decreases after menopause. However, most likely this is only one of many potential reasons behind this sex difference; therefore, this is an interesting avenue for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the frequency and characteristics of auras in patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) and to characterize the patients' historical and clinical risk factors that may be associated with such manifestations.Methods: In this retrospective database study, all patients with PNES, who were investigated at Shiraz Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, from 2008 until 2018, were studied.Results: During the study period, 258 patients were investigated. One hundred and seventy-three patients (67.1%) reported having auras. Auras were associated with multiple variables, including sex ratio, history of head injury, ictal injury, and taking antiepileptic drugs, in univariate analyses. We then performed a logistic regression analysis, assessing these four variables. The model that was generated by the regression analysis was significant (p = 0.0001) and could predict the possibility of auras in 72% of the patients. Within the model, sex ratio (OR: 0.498; 95% CI: 0.282-0.878; p = 0.01) and a history of head injury (OR: 0.096; 95% CI: 0.020-0.465; p = 0.004) retained their significance.Conclusion: Patients with PNES may frequently report auras including some auras which are often seen in patients with focal epilepsies; as a result, they are at great risk of receiving wrong diagnosis and unnecessary treatments. Health care professionals involved in the management of patients with seizures should be aware of this risk and prescribe an antiepileptic drug only after making a definite diagnosis of epilepsy in a patient with a paroxysmal event. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate any possible association between education and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) and any potential effects education might have on clinical characteristics of patients with PNES.Methods: In this retrospective study, all patients with PNES, who were studied at Shiraz Comprehensive Epilepsy Center at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, from 2008 until 2018, were recruited. We categorized the patients as 1. Less than 6 years of education; 2. With some college education.Results: Sixty-two patients (19%) had some college education and 38 patients (12%) had less than 6 years of education [22 patients (6.8%) were illiterate]. Age at onset of PNES was earlier in those with some college education (p = 0.0001) and they more often reported a history of sexual abuse (p = 0.02). Other demographic variables, seizure-related variables, PNES associated factors, and use of antiepileptic drugs were not significantly associated with education in the patients (all p values were > 0.05).Conclusions: It seems that the level of education has no significant effects on the clinical picture of PNES (other than its association with age at onset and history of sex abuse). While the above observations are important, they should be investigated in cross-cultural comparisons in future studies to depict a full picture of PNES related factors across borders and cultures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To evaluate the demographic and clinical manifestations and postsurgical outcome of childhood-onset mesial temporal sclerosis and temporal lobe epilepsy (MTS-TLE) and establishing the potential differences as compared to the patients with adult-onset MTS-TLE. Method In this retrospective study all patients with a clinical diagnosis of medically refractory TLE due to mesial temporal sclerosis, who underwent epilepsy surgery at Jefferson comprehensive epilepsy center, were recruited. Patients were prospectively registered in a database from 1986 through 2014. Postsurgical outcome was classified into two groups; seizure-free or relapsed. Clinical manifestations and outcome were compared between patients with childhood-onset MTS-TLE (i.e., age at onset of the first afebrile habitual seizure below 10 years) and those with adult-onset MTS-TLE (i.e., age at onset of the first afebrile habitual seizure 20 years or above). Results One hundred and twelve patients had childhood-onset MTS-TLE and 76 had adult-onset MTS-TLE. Demographic, clinical, EEG and MRI characteristics of these two groups were similar. Postoperative outcome was not statistically different between these two groups of patients ( P = 0.9). Conclusion Temporal lobe epilepsy due to mesial temporal sclerosis is a common cause of epilepsy that can start from early childhood to late adulthood. The etiology of MTS-TLE may be different in various age groups, but it seems that when mesial temporal sclerosis is the pathological substrate of TLE, clinical manifestations and response to surgical treatment of patients are very similar in patients with childhood-onset MTS-TLE compared to those with adult-onset disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: Whilst ictal injuries in psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) have been reported previously, very few studies have described the spectrum of ictal injuries in these patients. In the current study, we tried to determine the spectrum of reported ictal injuries associated with PNES and to investigate the possible associated risk factors. Methods: All patients with PNES were recruited prospectively in the outpatient epilepsy clinic at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, between 2008 and 2013. The diagnosis was made by clinical assessment and ictal video-EEG recordings. We asked all patients and their caregivers about history of any minor (e.g., tongue biting, bruises, and lacerations) or major (e.g., burns and fractures) physical injuries associated with their seizures, since their disease started. Clinical variables, factors potentially predisposing to PNES and video-EEG recordings of all patients were analyzed. Results: Two hundred and eleven patients were studied. Sixty-five patients (30.8%) reported injuries with one or more of their attacks. The most common type of reported injury was tongue biting. Lacerations, bruises, limb fractures, dental injury, and burn were also reported. Conclusion: PNES commonly produce physical injuries. Despite the shibboleth that injuries rarely occur during PNES, mild injuries commonly happen and even severe injuries such as fractures and burns are not uncommonly reported in these patients. Patients with more dramatic seizure manifestations (e.g., urinary incontinence) were more likely to report ictal injuries. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Purpose: We investigated the various possible reasons for uncontrolled seizures in patients 18 years of age and older to determine the impact of pseudointractability. We also tried to investigate the various forms of pseudointractability. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, all patients 18 years of age and older with their first seizure occurring at least six months prior to the referral date, taking at least one antiepileptic drug (AED) and having at least one seizure in the past three months were studied. The presumed reason for uncontrolled seizures was arbitrarily considered to be one of these five categories: Poor compliance; Wrong medication (misclassification); Wrong dose of the correct medication; Diagnosis other than epilepsy; and finally, Medically-refractory epilepsy. Statistical analyses were performed using Chi-square and Fisher''s Exact tests, and a P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: 350 patients were referred to us due to uncontrolled seizures. One hundred ninety-one (55%) were male and 159 (45%) were female. Twelve percent of the patients had diagnoses other than epilepsy, 40% had indeed medically-refractory epilepsy; 29% were taking the wrong AEDs (misclassified epilepsy); 18% were taking suboptimal doses of AEDs; and 1% had poor drug compliance. The most common reason for uncontrolled seizures among patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy was taking the wrong AED. However, among patients with focal epilepsy, true medically-refractory epilepsy was the most common reason. Conclusion: Uncontrolled seizures are a commonly encountered problem, especially at epilepsy clinics and one should consider all possible reasons for these uncontrolled seizures. The mainstay for making a correct diagnosis is a detailed clinical history. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Purpose: Lennox–Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is an uncommon epileptic encephalopathy. In this study, we tried to determine the clinical and EEG characteristics of patients with LGS in south Iran. Methods: In this retrospective study, all patients with a clinical diagnosis of LGS were recruited at the outpatient epilepsy clinic at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences from 2008 through 2012. Age, gender, age at seizure onset, seizure type(s), epilepsy risk factors, EEG and imaging findings of all patients were registered routinely. Results: During the study period, 2500 patients with epilepsy were registered at our epilepsy clinic. One-hundred and thirty-five patients (5.4%) were diagnosed as having LGS. Age of onset (mean±standard deviation) was 3.2±3.8 years. In 14 (10.4%) patients, age of onset was above 8 years. Eighty-three patients (61.5%) were male and 52 (38.5%) were female. The most common seizure type was tonic, followed by generalized tonic–clonic and myoclonic seizures. The most common EEG finding was slow spike-wave complexes. The most common abnormal MRI finding was brain atrophy. Conclusion: LGS is an uncommon epileptic encephalopathy characterized by multiple seizure types, a specific electroencephalographic pattern and psychomotor retardation, beginning in childhood. However, variants of this classical triad including atypical EEG findings, normal psychomotor function, and late-onset disease could be seen in some patients. These atypical findings in a patient with typical history for LGS should not deter from the correct diagnosis. The mainstay for making a correct syndromic diagnosis is a detailed clinical history. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Purpose: The prevalence and differences of idiopathic (genetic) generalized epilepsies (IGEs) with atypical age of onset compared to classical IGEs is a matter of debate. We tried to determine the clinical and EEG characteristics of IGEs in various age groups. Methods: All patients with a clinical diagnosis of IGE were recruited at the outpatient epilepsy clinic at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences from 2008 through 2011. We subdivided the patients into four different age groups: 4years of age and under, 5–11years, 12–17years, and finally, 18years and above, at the time of their epilepsy onset. Syndromic diagnosis, sex ratio, seizure types and EEG findings were compared. Statistical analyses were performed using Pearson Chi square test. Results: 2190 patients with epilepsy were registered. 442 patients (20.2%) were diagnosed as having IGEs. Age of seizure onset was 12.4±6.9years. The peak age of onset had a bimodal appearance. Sixty-seven patients (15.2%) were four years and under at the time of the onset of their disease, 112 persons (25.3%) were 5–11years, 197 people (44.6%) were 12–17years of age, and 66 patients (14.9%) had 18years and above at the onset of their epilepsy. The sex ratio was significantly different between patients in group one compared to groups three and four. All expected seizure types (i.e., generalized tonic–clonic, absence or myoclonic seizures) and all expected EEG abnormalities were observed among all age groups, despite some differences in their prevalence. Conclusion: Although IGE syndromes are often age dependent and most of them appear within the first two decades of life, adult-onset IGE is not rare. Presentation of IGEs could be different in various age groups, but these differences do not offer pathognomonic or characteristic features at any age. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objectives: To determine the frequency, nature, and risk factors associated with physical injuries in patients with epilepsy. Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, patients 18years of age and older with active epilepsy for at least 1year were included. A questionnaire (including age, gender, education, type of epilepsy, seizure frequency, having aura, drug compliance, polypharmacy, comorbidity, type and place of injury) was completed from patients and healthy individuals. Statistical analyses were performed using multiple logistic regression and Chi-square tests. Results: 264 patients with epilepsy and 289 healthy participants were studied. Among patients, 8.7% reported severe injuries and 44.3% had mild injuries. Most patients reported soft tissue injuries, followed by dental injury, burn, and head injury. Severe injuries were 2.9 times more frequent among patients having generalized tonic–clonic seizures (GTCS) compared to healthy control; this was not statistically significant (P =0.07). No patient reported having severe injuries due to SPS, myoclonic or absence seizures. Mild injuries were 10.3 times more frequent among those with GTCS compared to healthy control (P =0.001). The relative risk for having injury in patients compared to control group was 3.42 (95% confidence interval: 2.50–4.69). Injury was significantly related to having GTCSs, illiteracy, having fall with seizures, comorbidity and having uncontrolled seizures. Conclusion: Physical injuries are common in patients with epilepsy; however most of these injuries are mild. Severe injuries rarely occur in patients with seizures other than GTCS. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Background: The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence and nature of self-perceived seizure precipitants in epilepsy patients, and evaluate whether anxiety level, depression, or health locus of control influence self-perception of seizure precipitants. Methods: Adults aged 18 and older who had epilepsy for at least 1 year were recruited in either the inpatient epilepsy monitoring unit or the outpatient epilepsy clinic at Thomas Jefferson University in 2006. Patients anonymously filled out a questionnaire, which included data about age, sex, education, seizure control, and three questionnaires including identification of seizure precipitants, Hospital anxiety and depression (HAD) scale, and Form C of the multidimensional health locus of control (MHLC). Discriminant function analysis was used for statistical analysis. Results: Two hundred patients participated, with a mean age of 40.3±16 years. One hundred thirty (65%) patients reported one or more seizure precipitants. Stress (49.5%), lack of sleep (35.5%), and fatigue (32.5%) were the most common seizure triggers reported. Seizure control, anxiety level, and powerful others subscale in HLC scores were significantly related to self-perception of seizure precipitants. Subjective seizure triggers (stress, lack of sleep) were related to psychological factors. Conclusions: The perception that certain triggers precipitate seizures is related to anxiety, health locus of control, and seizure control. Hence, seizures might be misattributed to irrelevant precipitants because of an underlying psychological predisposition. Alternatively, there may be a physiological relationship between seizures and the triggers. Prospective studies are required to clarify the relationship between seizure precipitants and seizure occurrence. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Most experts agree that folic acid supplementation is a key preconception intervention, particularly in women with epilepsy who take anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs). Primary prevention of neural tube defect through folic acid supplementation results in reduction of risk in an otherwise healthy population. The current folic acid supplementation recommendation is that all women of childbearing potential be supplemented with at least 0.4 mg of folic acid daily prior to conception and during pregnancy. It is recommended that all women with epilepsy and of childbearing potential be supplemented with folic acid daily prior to conception and during pregnancy. However, considering the potential significant drug–drug interactions between high doses of folic acid and some AEDs in patients with epilepsy and also with the emerging evidence from animal studies that high levels of folic acid throughout gestation may have adverse effects on fetal brain development, it is not suggested to advocate high dose folic acid supplementation in women with epilepsy until more information is available about its appropriate, safe and optimal dosing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is a widely accepted epilepsy syndrome. Factors that are potentially predictive for seizure outcome in JME are not entirely clear yet. In the current study, we tried to identify factors that are potentially predictive for seizure outcome in patients with JME. Method In this case–control study all patients with a clinical diagnosis of JME were recruited at the outpatient epilepsy clinic at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences from 2008 to 2012. All patients were followed for at least 18 months. We divided the patients into two groups: patients who were seizure free in the last 12 months of their follow-up period and those who had any seizures (i.e., generalized tonic-clonic (GTC), myoclonic or absences). Results 116 patients were studied. Sixty-eight patients were seizure free in the last 12 months of their follow-up and 48 patients had at least one seizure of any type. Shorter follow-up period, drugs other than valproate in the drug regimen, and poor drug adherence were significantly more frequent among those who were not seizure free. Conclusion A correct diagnosis of JME does not guarantee an optimal response to therapy. Poorer drug adherence might result in more seizures; this should be highlighted for patients in every single visit. Longer follow-up gives the treating physician more time to adjust the drug(s) and formulate a plan that is appropriate for patients with difficult to treat seizures. We recommend valproate if seizure control is the main objective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Purpose: We investigated the demographic and clinical characteristics of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) in patients in Iran. Methods: In this prospective study, all patients with a clinical diagnosis of PNES (based on ictal recordings) were recruited at the outpatient epilepsy clinic at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, from 2008 through 2013. The epileptologist interviewed all the patients. We investigated the demographic and clinical characteristics of PNES. Results: Two hundred and forty-nine patients were diagnosed as having PNES. Two hundred and eleven patients had video-EEG recordings available and included in the study. One hundred and forty-one (66.8%) were female and 70 (33.2%) were male. There were no significant differences between our patients and previous reports regarding the clinical and semiological characteristics of PNES. Conclusion: Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures are relatively common at epilepsy clinics. It appears that an Islamic lifestyle (in Iran) has little influence on the clinical characteristics and manifestations of PNES, as we observed similar results as in most previous studies from other cultures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Purpose: Childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) is characterized by absence attacks with stereotyped electrographic discharges. Epidemiologic data concerning early-onset CAE is scarce. We tried to specifically analyze the early-onset CAE and compare it with typical CAE. Methods: In this retrospective study, all patients with a clinical diagnosis of CAE were recruited in the outpatient epilepsy clinic at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences from 2008 to 2011. We considered the age of onset at four years or earlier as early-onset and above four years as typical CAE. Age, gender, age at seizure onset, seizure type(s), epilepsy risk factors, and EEG findings of all patients were registered routinely. Statistical analyses were performed using Chi square and Fisher''s Exact tests. Results: Forty-six patients were diagnosed as having CAE. Sixteen patients (35%) had early-onset and 30 (65%) patients had typical CAE. Sex ratio (female to male) in early-onset was 7:9 and in typical CAE was 19:11 (P =0.2). Generalized tonic-clonic and myoclonic seizures were reported in both early-onset and typical CAE. The differences were not statistically significant. Epilepsy risk factors were similarly reported in both conditions. The EEG findings were similar in both groups. Conclusion: We did not observe any significant differences between early-onset and typical childhood absence epilepsies with respect to the demographic, clinical and electroencephalographic characteristics. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Background: The possible role of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection in extra-intestinal diseases has been suggested. The main purpose of this study was to determine the frequency of infection with HP in two groups of patients with epilepsy: patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) and patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), compared to healthy controls. Methods: In this cross-sectional study a random sample of adult patients above 18 years of age with a diagnosis of IGE or TLE were recruited at the outpatient epilepsy clinic at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, from January 2009 through June 2011. A group of healthy individuals were included as control group. For all patients and controls a urea breath test (UBT) was requested. Results: Thirty-four patients with IGE, 28 patients with TLE and 33 individuals as control were recruited. Positive UBT was observed in 21 individuals (61.8%) with IGE, 50% (14 patients) of patients with TLE and 72.7% (24 individuals) in control group. The difference between patients with IGE and control group was not significant (P =0.3). The difference between patients with TLE and control group was not significant either (P =0.068). Conclusion: The rate of HP infection was not higher in patients with epilepsy compared to healthy individuals. At the moment, there is not enough epidemiological data to support the role of HP infection in patients with either IGE or TLE. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Background:: Compliance behavior depends on the specific clinical situation, the nature of the illness, and the treatment program. The aim of this study was to determine the rate of drug compliance in families caring for a child or adolescent with epilepsy and to describe some associated factors. Methods:: All the patients with epilepsy under 18 years of age who were attending the Motahary Clinic of Shiraz for a six-month period and their families were interviewed. Results:: The total number of participants was 181 patients. Drug compliance was satisfactory in 72.4% of the patients. Etiology of epilepsy, mono-therapy versus poly-therapy, duration of the disease, age of the patient, accompanying disease, parental smoking, parental education and living in urban versus rural areas did not significantly influence the drug compliance but maternal age was significantly higher in patients with poor compliance. Also, patients with positive family history of epilepsy had more noncompliance. Moreover, family size had a significant effect on drug compliance. Finally, patients using phenobarbital were more complaint than other patients. Conclusions:: In this study, drug compliance was satisfactory in almost three-fourths of the patients with epilepsy. There was no significant association between noncompliance and the cause of epilepsy, duration of the disease, socio-economic status (parental smoking, living place, education) and number of drugs used to treat the illness. But paying attention to medication education for patients and parents, decreasing the complexity of the treatment regimen and younger possibly more motivated mothers in a small family, increased the drug compliance. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]