Epilepsy in elderly patients: does age of onset make a difference?
Neurologia (Engl Ed)
; 37(3): 171-177, 2022 Apr.
Article
em En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-35465910
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Epilepsy is most frequent in children and elderly people. Today's population is ageing and epilepsy prevalence is increasing. The type of epilepsy and its management change with age.METHODS:
We performed a retrospective, observational study comparing patients agedâ¯≥â¯65 years with epilepsy diagnosed before and after the age of 65, and describing epilepsy characteristics and comorbidities in each group.RESULTS:
The sample included 123 patients, of whom 61 were diagnosed atâ¯<â¯65 years of age (group A), 62 atâ¯≥â¯65 of age (group B). Sex distribution was similar in both groups, with 39 men (62.9%) in group A and 37 (60.7%) in group B. Mean age was 69.97⯱â¯5.6 years in group A and 77.29⯱â¯6.73 in group B. The most common aetiology was cryptogenic in group A (44.3%, nâ¯=â¯27) and vascular in group B (74.2%, nâ¯=â¯46). History of stroke was present in 12 patients from group A (19.7%) and 32 (51.6%) in group B. Antiepileptic drugs were prescribed at lower doses in group A. Statistically significant differences were found between groups for history of ischaemic stroke, cognitive impairment, psychiatric disorders, and diabetes mellitus; degree of dependence; and number of antiepileptic drugs.CONCLUSION:
Age of onsetâ¯≥â¯65 years is closely related to cardiovascular risk factors; these patients require fewer antiepileptic drugs and respond to lower doses. Some cases initially present as status epilepticus.Palavras-chave
Texto completo:
1
Coleções:
01-internacional
Base de dados:
MEDLINE
Assunto principal:
Isquemia Encefálica
/
Acidente Vascular Cerebral
/
Epilepsia
Tipo de estudo:
Diagnostic_studies
/
Observational_studies
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Risk_factors_studies
Limite:
Aged
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Child
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Female
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Humans
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Male
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Middle aged
Idioma:
En
Revista:
Neurologia (Engl Ed)
Ano de publicação:
2022
Tipo de documento:
Article