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Wen X, Otoo MN, Tang J, Brothers T, Ward KE, Asal N, Meador KJ. Angiotensin Receptor Blockers for Hypertension and Risk of Epilepsy. JAMA Neurol 2024; 81:866-874. [PMID: 38884986 PMCID: PMC11184499 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2024.1714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
Importance Animal and human studies have suggested that the use of angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) may be associated with a lower risk of incident epilepsy compared with other antihypertensive medications. However, observational data from the US are lacking. Objective To evaluate the association between ARB use and epilepsy incidence in subgroups of US patients with hypertension. Design, Setting, and Participants This retrospective cohort study used data from a national health administrative database from January 2010 to December 2017 with propensity score (PS) matching. The eligible cohort included privately insured individuals aged 18 years or older with diagnosis of primary hypertension and dispensed at least 1 ARB, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI), β-blocker, or calcium channel blocker (CCB) from 2010 to 2017. Patients with a diagnosis of epilepsy at or before the index date or dispensed an antiseizure medication 12 months before or 90 days after initiating the study medications were excluded. The data analysis for this project was conducted from April 2022 to April 2024. Exposures Propensity scores were generated based on baseline covariates and used to match patients who received ARBs with those who received either ACEIs, β-blockers, CCBs, or a combination of these antihypertensive medications. Main Outcomes and Measures Cox regression analyses were used to evaluate epilepsy incidence during follow-up comparing the ARB cohort with other antihypertensive classes. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted to examine the association between ARB use and epilepsy incidence in various subgroups. Results Of 2 261 964 patients (mean [SD] age, 61.7 [13.9] years; 1 120 630 [49.5%] female) included, 309 978 received ARBs, 807 510 received ACEIs, 695 887 received β-blockers, and 448 589 received CCBs. Demographic and clinical characteristics differed across the 4 comparison groups prior to PS matching. Compared with ARB users, patients receiving ACEIs were predominantly male and had diabetes, CCB users were generally older (eg, >65 years), and β-blocker users had more comorbidities and concurrent medications. The 1:1 PS-matched subgroups included 619 858 patients for ARB vs ACEI, 619 828 patients for ARB vs β-blocker, and 601 002 patients for ARB vs CCB. Baseline characteristics were equally distributed between comparison groups after matching with propensity scores. Use of ARBs was associated with a decreased incidence of epilepsy compared with ACEIs (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.75; 95% CI, 0.58-0.96), β-blockers (aHR, 0.70; 95% CI, 0.54-0.90), and a combination of other antihypertensive classes (aHR, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.56-0.95). Subgroup analyses revealed a significant association between ARB use (primarily losartan) and epilepsy incidence in patients with no preexisting history of stroke or cardiovascular disease. Conclusions and Relevance This cohort study found that ARBs, mainly losartan, were associated with a lower incidence of epilepsy compared with other antihypertensive agents in hypertensive patients with no preexisting stroke or cardiovascular disease. Further studies, such as randomized clinical trials, are warranted to confirm the comparative antiepileptogenic properties of antihypertensive medications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuerong Wen
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston
| | - Marianne N. Otoo
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston
| | - Jie Tang
- Department of Nephrology, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island
| | - Todd Brothers
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston
| | - Kristina E. Ward
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston
| | - Nicole Asal
- Department of Pharmacy Practice and Clinical Research, College of Pharmacy, University of Rhode Island, Kingston
| | - Kimford J. Meador
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, Stanford University School of Medicine, Palo Alto, California
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Koroukian SM, Fein HL, Vu L, Bensken WP, Schiltz NK, Sajatovic M, Ghearing GR, Warner DF. Excess prevalence of preexisting chronic conditions in older adults with incident epilepsy. Epilepsia 2024; 65:2354-2367. [PMID: 38837227 DOI: 10.1111/epi.18032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2024] [Accepted: 05/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Prior studies have examined chronic conditions in older adults with prevalent epilepsy, but rarely among those with incident epilepsy. Identifying the chronic conditions with which older adults present at epilepsy incidence assists with the evaluation of disease burden in this patient population and informs coordinated care development. The aim of this study was to identify preexisting chronic conditions with excess prevalence in older adults with incident epilepsy compared to those without. METHODS Using a random sample of 4 999 999 fee-for-service Medicare beneficiaries aged >65 years, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of epilepsy incidence in 2019. Non-Hispanic Black and Hispanic beneficiaries were oversampled. We identified preexisting chronic conditions from the 2016-2018 Medicare Beneficiary Summary Files and compared chronic condition prevalence between Medicare beneficiaries with and without incident epilepsy in 2019. We characterized variations in preexisting excess chronic condition prevalence by age, sex, and race/ethnicity, adjusting for the racial/ethnic oversampling. RESULTS We observed excess prevalence of most preexisting chronic conditions in beneficiaries with incident epilepsy (n = 20 545, weighted n = 19 631). For stroke, for example, the adjusted prevalence rate ratio (APRR) was 4.82 (99% CI:4.60, 5.04), meaning that, compared to those without epilepsy, beneficiaries with incident epilepsy in 2019 had 4.82 times the stroke prevalence. Similarly, beneficiaries with incident epilepsy had a higher prevalence rate for preexisting neurological conditions (APRR = 3.17, 99% CI = 3.08-3.27), substance use disorders (APRR = 3.00, 99% CI = 2.81-3.19), and psychiatric disorders (APRR = 1.98, 99% CI = 1.94-2.01). For most documented chronic conditions, excess prevalence among beneficiaries with incident epilepsy in 2019 was larger for younger age groups compared to older age groups, and for Hispanic beneficiaries compared to both non-Hispanic White and non-Hispanic Black beneficiaries. SIGNIFICANCE Compared to epilepsy-free Medicare beneficiaries, those with incident epilepsy in 2019 had a higher prevalence of most preexisting chronic conditions. Our findings highlight the importance of health promotion and prevention, multidisciplinary care, and elucidating shared pathophysiology to identify opportunities for prevention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siran M Koroukian
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Hannah L Fein
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Long Vu
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Wyatt P Bensken
- Department of Population and Quantitative Health Sciences, Case Western Reserve University School of Medicine, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Nicholas K Schiltz
- Frances Payne Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Martha Sajatovic
- Department of Neurology, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, USA
| | - Gena R Ghearing
- Department of Neurology, University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - David F Warner
- Department of Sociology, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, Alabama, USA
- Center for Family & Demographic Research, Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, Ohio, USA
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Beghi E, Giussani G, Costa C, DiFrancesco JC, Dhakar M, Leppik I, Kwan P, Akamatsu N, Cretin B, O'Dwyer R, Kraemer G, Piccenna L, Faught E. The epidemiology of epilepsy in older adults: A narrative review by the ILAE Task Force on Epilepsy in the Elderly. Epilepsia 2023; 64:586-601. [PMID: 36625133 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2022] [Revised: 11/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
In an aging world, it is important to know the burden of epilepsy affecting populations of older persons. We performed a selective review of epidemiological studies that we considered to be most informative, trying to include data from all parts of the world. We emphasized primary reports rather than review articles. We reviewed studies reporting the incidence and prevalence of epilepsy that focused on an older population as well as studies that included a wider age range if older persons were tabulated as a subgroup. There is strong evidence that persons older than approximately 60 years incur an increasing risk of both acute symptomatic seizures and epilepsy. In wealthier countries, the incidence of epilepsy increases sharply after age 60 or 65 years. This phenomenon was not always observed among reports from populations with lower socioeconomic status. This discrepancy may reflect differences in etiologies, methods of ascertainment, or distribution of ages; this is an area for more research. We identified other areas for which there are inadequate data. Incidence data are scarcer than prevalence data and are missing for large areas of the world. Prevalence is lower than would be expected from cumulative incidence, possibly because of remissions, excess mortality, or misdiagnosis of acute symptomatic seizures as epilepsy. Segmentation by age, frailty, and comorbidities is desirable, because "epilepsy in the elderly" is otherwise too broad a concept. Data are needed on rates of status epilepticus and drug-resistant epilepsy using the newer definitions. Many more data are needed from low-income populations and from developing countries. Greater awareness of the high rates of seizures among older adults should lead to more focused diagnostic efforts for individuals. Accurate data on epilepsy among older adults should drive proper allocation of treatments for individuals and resources for societies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ettore Beghi
- Laboratory of Neurological Disorders, Department of Neuroscience, Mario Negri Institute of Pharmacological Research, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care, Milan, Italy
| | - Giorgia Giussani
- Laboratory of Neurological Disorders, Department of Neuroscience, Mario Negri Institute of Pharmacological Research, Scientific Institute for Research and Health Care, Milan, Italy
| | - Cinzia Costa
- Section of Neurology, Santa Maria della Misericordia Hospital, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | - Jacopo C DiFrancesco
- Department of Neurology, Istituto di Ricovero e Cura a Caraterre Scientifico, San Gerardo Foundation, University of Milan-Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Monica Dhakar
- Department of Neurology, Brown University, Providence, Rhode Island, USA
| | - Ilo Leppik
- Department of Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology, College of Pharmacy, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
| | - Patrick Kwan
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Naoki Akamatsu
- Division of Neurology, Neuroscience Center, Fukuoka Samo Hospital, International University of Health and Welfare, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Benjamin Cretin
- Neuropsychology Unit, Department of Neurology of the University Hospitals of Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Rebecca O'Dwyer
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush Medical College, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | | | - Loretta Piccenna
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medicine, Royal Melbourne Hospital, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | - Edward Faught
- Department of Neurology, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA
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Gao H, Li J, Li Q, Lin Y. Identification of hub genes significantly linked to subarachnoid hemorrhage and epilepsy via bioinformatics analysis. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1061860. [PMID: 36741285 PMCID: PMC9893862 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1061860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/02/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Although epilepsy has been linked to subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), the underlying mechanism has not been fully elucidated. This study aimed to further explore the potential mechanisms in epilepsy and SAH through genes. Methods Gene expression profiles for subarachnoid hemorrhage (GSE36791) and epilepsy (GSE143272) were downloaded from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Differential expression analysis was performed to identify the common differentially expressed genes (DEGs) to epilepsy and SAH, which were further analyzed by functional enrichment analysis. Single-sample gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA) and weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) were used to identify common module genes related to the infiltration of immune cells in epilepsy and SAH. Hub module genes were identified using a protein-protein interaction (PPI) network. Finally, the most relevant genes were obtained by taking the intersection points between the DEGs and hub module genes. We performed validation by retrospectively analyzing the RT-PCR levels of the most relevant genes in patients with pure SAH and patients with SAH complicated with epilepsy. Our experiments verified that the SAH and SAH+epilepsy groups were significantly different from the normal control group. In addition, significant differences were observed between the SAH and SAH+epilepsy groups. Results In total, 159 common DEGs-85 downregulated genes and 74 upregulated genes-were identified. Functional analysis emphasized that the immune response was a common feature to epilepsy and SAH. The results of ssGSEA and WGCNA revealed changes in immunocyte recruitment and the related module genes. Finally, MMP9 and C3aR1 were identified as hub genes, and RT-PCR confirmed that the expression levels of the hub genes were higher in epilepsy and SAH samples than in normal samples. Conclusions Our study revealed the pathogenesis of SAH complicated with epilepsy and identified hub genes that might provide new ideas for further mechanistic studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Gao
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China,Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongshan Hospital (Xiamen), Fudan University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Medical Intensive Care Unit, Tongji Medical College, Maternal and Child Health Hospital of Hubei Province, Hua Zhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Qiuping Li
- Department of Neurosurgery, Zhongshan Hospital (Xiamen), Fudan University, Xiamen, Fujian, China
| | - Yuanxiang Lin
- Department of Neurosurgery, The First Affiliated Hospital, Fujian Medical University, Fuzhou, Fujian, China,*Correspondence: Yuanxiang Lin ✉
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Doege C, Luedde M, Kostev K. Association Between Angiotensin Receptor Blocker Therapy and Incidence of Epilepsy in Patients With Hypertension. JAMA Neurol 2022; 79:1296-1302. [PMID: 36251288 PMCID: PMC9577879 DOI: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2022.3413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Importance Arterial hypertension is associated with an increased incidence of epilepsy. Results from animal studies suggest that angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) therapy could inhibit epileptic seizures. However, there is a lack of clinical data to support the use of ARB therapy in humans. Objective To assess whether ARB therapy is associated with a decreased incidence of epilepsy in patients with hypertension. Design, Setting, and Participants This cohort study obtained data from the Disease Analyzer database (IQVIA) on patients aged 18 years or older who had hypertension and at least 1 antihypertensive drug prescription. Patients were treated at 1274 general practices between January 2010 and December 2020 in Germany. Data were available for 1 553 875 patients who had been prescribed at least 1 antihypertensive drug. Patients diagnosed with epilepsy before or up to 3 months after the index date were excluded. A total of 168 612 patients were included in propensity score matching. Patients treated with 1 of 4 antihypertensive drug classes (β-blockers, ARBs, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, and calcium channel blockers [CCBs]) were matched to each other using propensity scores. Main Outcomes and Measures The main outcome of the study was the incidence of epilepsy associated with ARB therapy compared with other antihypertensive drug classes. Cox regression models were used to study the association between the incidence of epilepsy and ARBs compared with all other antihypertensive drug classes as a group. Results The study included a total of 168 612 patients, with 42 153 in each antihypertensive drug class. The mean [SD] age of patients was 62.3 [13.5] years, and 21 667 (51.4%) were women. The incidence of epilepsy within 5 years was lowest among patients treated with ARBs (0.27% at 1 year, 0.63% at 3 years, 0.99% at 5 years) and highest among patients receiving β-blockers and CCBs (0.38% for both β-blockers and CCBs at 1 year; 0.91% for β-blockers and 0.93% for CCBs at 3 years; β-blockers, 1.47%; and CCBs, 1.48% at 5 years). Angiotensin receptor blocker therapy was associated with a significantly decreased incidence of epilepsy (hazard ratio, 0.77; 95% CI, 0.65-0.90) compared with the other drug classes as a group. Conclusions and Relevance In this cohort study of patients with hypertension, ARB therapy was associated with a significantly decreased incidence of epilepsy. The findings suggest antihypertensive drugs could be used as a novel approach for preventing epilepsy in patients with arterial hypertension.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corinna Doege
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Center of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Central Hospital Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Mark Luedde
- Department of Cardiology, Christian-Albrechts-University of Kiel, Kiel, Germany
- Cardiology Practice Bremerhaven, Bremerhaven, Germany
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Pfeifer MT, Kostev K, Doege C. Sex-related associations between body mass index and the incidence of epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2022; 136:108926. [PMID: 36252290 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.108926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to investigate the association between both overweight and underweight and epilepsy in adult individuals using a large German database. METHODS This retrospective cohort study was based on data from the Disease Analyzer database (IQVIA) and included patients with documented body mass index (BMI) values followed up in one of 832 general practices in Germany between January 2006 and December 2019. The association between BMI categories and the 10-year incidence of epilepsy was studied separately for women and men using Cox regression models adjusted for age and comorbidities. RESULTS This study included 822,071 patients. The proportions of underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obesity were 1.6%, 33.4%, 36.7%, and 28.3% respectively. Underweight was significantly and positively associated with the incidence of epilepsy (HR = 1.67, 95% CI = 1.31-2.11) compared to normal weight. This association was much stronger in men (HR = 2.57, 95% CI = 1.71-3.88) than in women (HR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.10-1.98). However, underweight was significantly associated with an increased risk of generalized epilepsy only (HR: 4.38; 95% CI: 1.34-14.35), but no significant associations between weight and the incidence of focal epilepsy was observed. CONCLUSION In conclusion, a significant and positive association between underweight and generalized and unclassified epilepsy was observed, which was stronger in men than in women. Further studies are needed to confirm these results and find the reasons for this association.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Corinna Doege
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Center of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Central Hospital, Bremen, Germany
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Das R, Luczak A. Epileptic seizures and link to memory processes. AIMS Neurosci 2022; 9:114-127. [PMID: 35434278 PMCID: PMC8941196 DOI: 10.3934/neuroscience.2022007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 02/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Epileptogenesis is a complex and not well understood phenomenon. Here, we explore the hypothesis that epileptogenesis could be "hijacking" normal memory processes, and how this hypothesis may provide new directions for epilepsy treatment. First, we review similarities between the hypersynchronous circuits observed in epilepsy and memory consolidation processes involved in strengthening neuronal connections. Next, we describe the kindling model of seizures and its relation to long-term potentiation model of synaptic plasticity. We also examine how the strengthening of epileptic circuits is facilitated during the physiological slow wave sleep, similarly as episodic memories. Furthermore, we present studies showing that specific memories can directly trigger reflex seizures. The neuronal hypersynchrony in early stages of Alzheimer's disease, and the use of anti-epileptic drugs to improve the cognitive symptoms in this disease also suggests a connection between memory systems and epilepsy. Given the commonalities between memory processes and epilepsy, we propose that therapies for memory disorders might provide new avenues for treatment of epileptic patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritwik Das
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
| | - Artur Luczak
- Department of Neuroscience, Canadian Centre for Behavioural Neuroscience, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, AB, Canada
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Amoudi M, Nairat Q, Shawahna R. Knowledge, attitudes, and practices of physiotherapists with regard to epilepsy and patients with epilepsy: A systematic scoping review. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 124:108367. [PMID: 34717245 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In today's healthcare systems, physiotherapists are one of the most important providers of care services to patients with disabilities including those with epilepsy. The aims of this systematic scoping review were to identify, summarize, and present narrative synthesis of qualitative evidence on knowledge, attitudes, and practices of physiotherapists toward epilepsy and patients with epilepsy. METHODS Primary studies were searched in Medline/PubMed, Embase, Science Direct, SpringerLink, CInAHL/EBSCO, Cochrane library, and Scopus as late as July 02, 2021. Appraisal of the methodological quality was conducted for the studies included in this systematic scoping review. Due to the heterogenous nature of the collected data, results of this study are presented as narrative synthesis. RESULTS A total of 11 were finally included in the qualitative synthesis. The selected studies were published in the period between 2016 and 2020. The studies included in this review had acceptable methodological quality in many of the 11 domains of the quality assessment tool. Contents of the included studies were grouped into the 11 themes and 8 subthemes. The major themes were related education/access to information, interaction with patients, witnessing seizures, barriers and promoters of adequate knowledge and attitudes, and interventions to improve knowledge and attitudes. CONCLUSION Currently, high-quality interventional studies are needed to improve knowledge, attitudes, and practices of physiotherapists with regard to epilepsy and patients with epilepsy. Future studies are still needed to investigate if improving knowledge, attitudes, and practices of physiotherapists with regard to epilepsy and patients with epilepsy can improve health-related outcomes of the patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mosab Amoudi
- Health Sciences Department, Arab American University, Palestine
| | - Qais Nairat
- Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Educational Sciences and Teachers' Training, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
| | - Ramzi Shawahna
- Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine; An-Najah BioSciences Unit, Centre for Poisons Control, Chemical and Biological Analyses, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine.
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Süße M, Zank M, von Podewils V, von Podewils F. Autoimmune Encephalitis in Late-Onset Seizures: When to Suspect and How to Treat. Front Neurol 2021; 12:633999. [PMID: 33897594 PMCID: PMC8058403 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.633999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 02/24/2021] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective: This study was conducted to elucidate prevalence, clinical features, outcomes, and best treatment in patients with late-onset seizures due to autoimmune encephalitis (AE). Methods: This is a single-institution prospective cohort study (2012-2019) conducted at the Epilepsy Center at the University of Greifswald, Germany. A total of 225 patients aged ≥50 years with epileptic seizures were enrolled and underwent an MRI/CT scan, profiling of neural antibodies (AB) in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and neuropsychological testing. On the basis of their work-up, patients were categorized into the following three cohorts: definite, suspected, or no AE. Patients with definite and suspected AE were subsequently treated with immunosuppressive therapy (IT) and/or anti-seizure drug (ASD) therapy and were followed up (FU) regarding clinical and seizure outcome. Results: Of the 225 patients, 17 (8%) fulfilled the criteria for definite or suspected AE according to their AB profile and MRI results. Compared with patients with no evidence of AE, those with AE were younger (p = 0.028), had mesial temporal neuropsychological deficits (p = 0.001), frequently had an active or known malignancy (p = 0.006) and/or a pleocytosis (p = 0.0002), and/or had oligoclonal bands in CSF (p = 0.001). All patients with follow-up became seizure-free with at least one ASD. The Modified Rankin scale (mRS) at hospital admission was low for patients with AE (71% with mRS ≤2) and further decreased to 60% with mRS ≤2 at last FU. Significance: AE is an important etiology in late-onset seizures, and seizures may be the first symptom of AE. Outcome in non-paraneoplastic AE was favorable with ASD and IT. AB testing in CSF and sera, cerebral MRI, CSF analysis, and neuropsychological testing for mesial temporal deficits should be part of the diagnostic protocol for AE following late-onset seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Süße
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Maria Zank
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Viola von Podewils
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Felix von Podewils
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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Uepping P, Hamer H, Scholten J, Kostev K. Physical and mental health comorbidities of patients with epilepsy in Germany - A retrospective cohort study. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 117:107857. [PMID: 33636528 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.107857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 02/08/2021] [Accepted: 02/08/2021] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
AIMS The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence of physical and psychological comorbidities in patients with epilepsy in Germany in order to better understand the complex clinical picture and its consequences. METHODS This retrospective cohort study included adult individuals with a diagnosis of epilepsy between January 2018 and December 2018 (index date). Patients with epilepsy were matched 1:1 with patients without epilepsy by age, sex, and physician. The study outcomes included the associations between epilepsy and different physical and mental disorders documented within 365 days after the index date as well as multimorbidity defined as at least two, three, four, and five different diagnoses. The present study used multivariate logistic regression models with all study disorders as dependent variables and epilepsy as an impact variable. RESULTS After 1:1 matching, the present study included 7942 patients with and 7942 patients without epilepsy (mean age: 58.0 years; 49.7% female). Epilepsy was significantly positively associated with nine disorders, and the strongest associations were with mental retardation (Odds Ratio (OR): 21.11 (95% Confidence Intervals (CI): 12.52-35.59)), cerebrovascular diseases (OR: 3.14 (95% CI: 2.80-3.55)), and dementia (OR: 1.72 (95% CI: 1.47-2.01)). Epilepsy was associated with significantly increased odds of multimorbidity. CONCLUSION In summary, individuals with epilepsy have an increased prevalence of comorbidities that increase with age. Further research should be undertaken in this area, including the etiology of comorbidities.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hajo Hamer
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | | | - Karel Kostev
- University Hospital of Marburg, Marburg, Germany; Epidemiologie, IQVIA, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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Bacellar A, Assis TRD, Pedreira BB, CÔrtes L, Santana S, Nascimento OJMD. Predictors of long length of hospital stay among elders admitted with seizures in a tertiary centre: a prospective study. ARQUIVOS DE NEURO-PSIQUIATRIA 2020; 78:687-694. [PMID: 33263637 DOI: 10.1590/0004-282x20200062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Population ageing is a global phenomenon, and life expectancy in Brazil is growing fast. Epilepsy is the third most important chronic neurological disorder, and its incidence is higher among elderly patients than in any other segment of the population. The prevalence of epilepsy is greater among inpatients than in the general population and it is related to long length of hospital stay (LOS), which is associated with hospital mortality and higher healthcare costs. Despite these facts, reports of elderly inpatients admitted with seizures and associated outcomes are scarce. To identify predictors of long LOS among elderly inpatients admitted with seizures. METHODS We prospectively enrolled elders admitted with epileptic seizures or who experienced seizures throughout hospitalization between November 2015 and August 2019. We analysed demographic data, neurological disorders, clinical comorbidities, and seizure features to identify risk factors. RESULTS The median LOS was 11 days, with an interquartile range (IQR) of 5-21 days. The frequency of long LOS (defined as a period of hospitalization ≥12 days) was 47%. Multivariate analysis showed there was an exponential increase in long LOS if a patient showed any of the following conditions: intensive care unit (ICU) admission (OR=4.562), urinary tract infection (OR=3.402), movement disorder (OR=5.656), early seizure recurrence (OR=2.090), and sepsis (OR=4.014). CONCLUSION Long LOS was common among elderly patients admitted with seizures, and most predictors of long LOS found in this cohort might be avoidable; these findings should be confirmed with further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aroldo Bacellar
- Hospital São Rafael, Department of Neurology, D'Or Institute for Research and Education, Salvador BA, Brazil
| | - Telma Rocha de Assis
- Hospital São Rafael, Department of Neurology, D'Or Institute for Research and Education, Salvador BA, Brazil
| | - Bruno Bacellar Pedreira
- Hospital São Rafael, Department of Neurology, D'Or Institute for Research and Education, Salvador BA, Brazil
| | - Luan CÔrtes
- Resident of the Department of Neurology, Hospital São Rafael, Monte Tabor Foundation, Italian-Brazilian Centre for Health Promotion, Salvador BA, Brazil
| | - Silas Santana
- Resident of the Department of Neurology, Hospital São Rafael, Monte Tabor Foundation, Italian-Brazilian Centre for Health Promotion, Salvador BA, Brazil
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Wheless JW. Adjunctive cenobamate for the treatment of focal onset seizures in adults with epilepsy: a critical review. Expert Rev Neurother 2020; 20:1085-1098. [DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2020.1834855] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- James W. Wheless
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, University of Tennessee Health Science Center; Le Bonheur Comprehensive Epilepsy Program & Neuroscience Institute, Memphis, TN, USA
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Scholten J, Hamer HM, Kostev K. Usage of antiepileptic drugs in different diseases in Germany - A retrospective study. Epilepsy Behav 2020; 111:107210. [PMID: 32554234 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Revised: 05/24/2020] [Accepted: 05/24/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
AIM The goal of this study was to analyze and quantify the usage of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in different diseases and settings in Germany. METHODS This retrospective study, based on data from the Disease Analyzer database (IQVIA), included patients from 550 general practices (GP) and 73 neurological practices. Patients who had received at least one prescription for AED from one of these practices between January 2009 and December 2011 (time period 1, n = 39,434) or between January 2016 and December 2018 (time period 2, n = 49,128) were analyzed. RESULTS In patients who received AED prescriptions from neurologists, epilepsy (43%) was the most common diagnosis and did not change over time. The proportion of pain diagnoses slightly decreased from 35% in the period from 2009 to 2011 to 34% in the period from 2016 to 2018, while psychiatric disorders increased from 13% to 15%. In GPs, 58% of patients received their AED prescriptions for pain disorders, followed by epilepsy (29%) in the period from 2009 to 2011. The proportion of pain patients slightly increased to 60%, while that of patients with epilepsy slightly decreased to 27%. CONCLUSIONS The main indications for which AEDs are prescribed vary with the type of medical practice. The different indications for different AEDs changed between the two time periods, which is in line with the state of the research.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hajo M Hamer
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center, University of Erlangen, Germany
| | - Karel Kostev
- Epidemiology, IQVIA, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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Paudel YN, Angelopoulou E, Jones NC, O’Brien TJ, Kwan P, Piperi C, Othman I, Shaikh MF. Tau Related Pathways as a Connecting Link between Epilepsy and Alzheimer's Disease. ACS Chem Neurosci 2019; 10:4199-4212. [PMID: 31532186 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.9b00460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Emerging findings point toward an important interconnection between epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathogenesis. Patients with epilepsy (PWE) commonly exhibit cognitive impairment similar to AD patients, who in turn are at a higher risk of developing epilepsy compared to age-matched controls. To date, no disease-modifying treatment strategy is available for either epilepsy or AD, reflecting an immediate need for exploring common molecular targets, which can delineate a possible mechanistic link between epilepsy and AD. This review attempts to disentangle the interconnectivity between epilepsy and AD pathogenesis via the crucial contribution of Tau protein. Tau protein is a microtubule-associated protein (MAP) that has been implicated in the pathophysiology of both epilepsy and AD. Hyperphosphorylation of Tau contributes to the different forms of human epilepsy and inhibition of the same exerted seizure inhibitions and altered disease progression in a range of animal models. Moreover, Tau-protein-mediated therapy has demonstrated promising outcomes in experimental models of AD. In this review, we discuss how Tau-related mechanisms might present a link between the cause of seizures in epilepsy and cognitive disruption in AD. Untangling this interconnection might be instrumental in designing novel therapies that can minimize epileptic seizures and cognitive deficits in patients with epilepsy and AD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yam Nath Paudel
- Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor 46150, Malaysia
| | - Efthalia Angelopoulou
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens 10679, Greece
| | - Nigel C. Jones
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne 3800, Australia
- Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Terence J. O’Brien
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne 3800, Australia
- Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Patrick Kwan
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne 3800, Australia
- Department of Medicine (Royal Melbourne Hospital), The University of Melbourne, Royal Parade, Parkville, Victoria 3010, Australia
| | - Christina Piperi
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Athens 10679, Greece
| | - Iekhsan Othman
- Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor 46150, Malaysia
| | - Mohd. Farooq Shaikh
- Neuropharmacology Research Laboratory, Jeffrey Cheah School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Monash University Malaysia, Bandar Sunway, Selangor 46150, Malaysia
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne 3800, Australia
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