Is the risk of COVID-19 contraction increased in patients with epilepsy?
Epilepsy Behav
; 115: 107734, 2021 02.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-33450616
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE:
The aim of the current study was to investigate the rates of contracting COVID-19 in various populations to provide evidence on the susceptibility of patients with epilepsy (PWE) to contracting symptomatic COVID-19.METHODS:
We surveyed a random sample of three groups of people patients with epilepsy, people with psychiatric problems, and a group of the general population. The survey included four general questions (age, sex, education, and medical/psychiatric problem) and four COVID-19 specific questions (contracting COVID-19, relatives with COVID-19, wearing a face mask, and frequent hand washings).RESULTS:
Three hundred and fifty -eight people were surveyed (108 healthy individuals, 154 patients with epilepsy, and 96 patients with psychiatric problems). Thirty-eight (11%) people had a history of COVID-19 contraction. The only factor that had a significant association with COVID-19 contraction was a relative with COVID-19 (Odds Ratio 5.82; 95% Confidence Interval 2.85-11.86; pâ¯=â¯0.0001). Having epilepsy did not increase the risk of COVID-19 contraction.CONCLUSION:
Symptomatic COVID-19 does not seem to be more likely in PWE. The single most important factor associated with contracting COVID-19 is a close relative with this infection. Isolation of people with SARS-CoV-2 infection and observation of their close contacts may reduce the risk of secondary infections.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Epilepsy
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Clinical_trials
/
Etiology_studies
/
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Aged
/
Aged80
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Language:
En
Journal:
Epilepsy Behav
Journal subject:
CIENCIAS DO COMPORTAMENTO
/
NEUROLOGIA
Year:
2021
Document type:
Article