New-Onset Geriatric Epilepsy in China: A Single-Center Study.
- Author:
Jian-Hua CHEN
1
;
Xiang-Qin ZHOU
1
;
Qiang LU
1
;
Li-Ri JIN
1
;
Yan HUANG
1
Author Information
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords: Elderly; Electroencephalography; Epilepsy; Seizures
- MeSH: Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Electroencephalography; Epilepsy; diagnostic imaging; drug therapy; etiology; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Humans; Levetiracetam; therapeutic use; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Prognosis
- From: Chinese Medical Journal 2018;131(24):2915-2920
- CountryChina
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:Few studies have been published on new-onset geriatric epilepsy especially in older Chinese people. This study was to have a comprehensive understanding of new-onset geriatric epilepsy and find a more reasonable diagnosis and management of epilepsy in older people.
Methods:One hundred and three patients with onset age 60 years and older were admitted between January 2008 and December 2016. Electronic medical records were reviewed to collect information.
Results:There were 103 older patients with new-onset epilepsy. The mean age of the patients was 68.5 ± 6.4 years (range: 60-89 years), and there were 67 (65%) men and 36 (35%) women. The mean onset age was 67.9 ± 6.2 years (range: 60-89 years). The most common identifiable etiology of symptomatic seizures was autoimmune epilepsy in 43 (41.7%) patients. The second most common etiology was stroke in 15 (14.6%) patients. Seven (6.8%) older patients with acute seizures present with status epilepticus and 26 (25.2%) patients experienced clustered seizures (more than three events in 24 h) at seizure onset. Focal seizures (96.1%) were more common than generalized seizures (3.9%). Fifty-three (51.5%) patients had an abnormal brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. Among them, video-electroencephalogram findings in 31 (30.1%) patients correlated with MRI abnormalities. Levetiracetam was the most used drugs before admission, in hospital, and during follow-up.
Conclusions:Autoimmune encephalitis is becoming an increasing risk factor of subsequent epilepsy in older people. Older patients with new epilepsy are more likely to respond to antiepileptic drugs, and drug-resistant epilepsy is uncommon.
