RESUMEN
PURPOSE: We set out to characterize psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) in individuals with either intellectual disability (ID) or borderline intellectual function (BIF) in comparison to those with normal cognitive function. We aimed to identify differences between the two groups to improve clinical management protocols. METHODS: We conducted a retrospective, observational, single-center study. The medical records of individuals (aged ≥ 14 years) diagnosed with PNES, confirmed through video-electroencephalography (vEEG) at a specialized epilepsy center between January 2008 and December 2021, were reviewed. We restricted our study to individuals who underwent comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations. Furthermore, demographic, clinical, and neuropsychological data with potential prognostic indicators, alongside the reevaluation of vEEG recordings were studied. We compared two study groups based on intelligence quotient (IQ): individuals without ID (IQ≥85; n = 25) and those with either mild ID or BIF (n = 25). RESULTS: No statistically significant clinical differences were observed between the two groups. Individuals with mild ID/BIF didn't show a longer diagnostic delay, and the prescription of inappropriate antiseizure medications (ASMs) was comparable in both cohorts. Most individuals with mild ID/BIF were treated with behavioral psychotherapeutic approaches with similar outcomes in both subgroups. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals with mild ID/BIF and PNES don't differ in clinical management. Demographic and clinical data, as well as semiology, were comparable to those of individuals with normal cognitive function. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) appears to be an effective treatment approach for individuals with and without mild ID/BIF. Further studies are needed to validate and ascertain their possible applicability in individuals with moderate/severe ID.
RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Sex differences in epilepsy have been described in prevalence, seizure propensity and response to treatment. Therefore, taking into account sex-based differences in epilepsy is important for both diagnostic purposes and therapeutic considerations. However, little is known about sex differences in adverse effects of antiseizure medications (ASMs). OBJECTIVES: We performed a systematic review searching for sex differences in adverse effects of ASMs in adult persons with epilepsy (PWE) as part of a wider project aimed to assess sex-based differences in efficacy and adverse effects of ASMs in PWE. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive literature search in the PubMed database. The search was conducted with no restriction on publication date, and all results up to April 2020 were included. We included articles written in English, Italian, Spanish, or French that evaluated adverse effects of one or more ASMs in PWE, with specific mention of the two sexes. When appropriate, Newcastle-Ottawa or Jadad scales were used to assess study quality. RESULTS: Of 5164 identified studies, only 167 considered sex in the analysis and were therefore included. Significant sex-related differences were found in 58 of those studies. We found a consistently higher frequency of cutaneous adverse effects in females; higher risk of developing general adverse effects on different ASMs in females; stronger risk of adverse effects on bone metabolism in females, mainly on treatment with enzyme-inducing ASMs; a concordant higher risk of visual field loss was noted in males on vigabatrin; an overall worse lipid profile in males; as well as higher leptin levels and higher body mass index in females treated with various ASMs. CONCLUSIONS: Our analysis has identified some important sex differences in the adverse effects of ASMs. Clinicians should be aware of these differences when informing patients about the risks associated with ASM treatment in PWE.