Risk factors for unprovoked epileptic seizures in multiple sclerosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

The role of different factors in influencing the risk of seizures during multiple sclerosis (MS) is not known. To perform a systematic review and meta-analysis of risk factors for epilepsy during MS. Pubmed, Google scholar, and Scopus databases were searched. Articles published in English (1986-2016) were included. Nine studies were included (3 retrospective cohort and 6 case-control) enrolling 2845 MS patients (217 with epilepsy; 7.6%). MS patients with epilepsy had a younger age at onset compared to MS patients without seizures (difference in means = -5.42 years, 95% CI -7.19 to -3.66, p < 0.001). Mean EDSS value at inclusion tended to be higher in patients with epilepsy, without reaching statistical significance (difference in means = 0.45, 95% CI -0.01 to 0.91, p = 0.054). No differences were observed in sex distribution (OR = 0.94, 95% CI 0.51-1.72, p = 0.83) and clinical form (OR = 1.03, 95% CI 0.33-3.21, p = 0.96). Two studies evaluated presence and number of cortical lesions as a risk factor for epilepsy in MS using different MRI techniques: in one study, cortical lesions were more frequently observed in patients with epilepsy (OR = 7.06, 95% CI 2.39-20.8; p < 0.001). In the other, cortico-juxtacortical lesions were more frequently observed in patients with epilepsy (OR = 2.6, 95% CI 1.0-6.5; p = 0.047). Studies about risk factors for epilepsy during MS are heterogeneous. Compared to MS patients without seizures, patients with epilepsy have an earlier MS onset and a higher EDSS score after similar disease duration. Clinical form of MS and sex do not predict the appearance of seizures.

Positivity to p-ANCA in patients with status epilepticus.

BACKGROUND: Status epilepticus (SE) may occur in the setting of several internal or neurologic diseases. Anti-neutrophilic cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCA) are a group of Ig that may be observed in patients with different autoimmune disorders but are particularly associated with systemic vasculitis named ANCA-associated-vasculities (AAV). We herein report 3 patients with SE and positivity to p-ANCA. CASE PRESENTATION: One patient had a catastrophic evolution and died 5 months after disease onset. The other two patients had a good outcome and remained seizure-free at 30 months and 5 years of follow-up respectively. CONCLUSION: This report highlights the importance of considering ANCA dosage in patients with SE of unclear origin.