Background: Seizure is a common neurological presenting symptom at the emergency department
(ED). Recurrent seizure may result in an overcrowded ED and affect morbidity. Factors associated
with recurrent seizure in Thailand or other developing countries are limited. Methods: Clinical features
of adult patients who presented with seizure at the ED, Ramathibodi Hospital, Mahidol University,
Thailand were retrospectively reviewed. Factors associated with recurrent seizure were identified by
multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: During the study period, there were 65,586 patients
who visited the ED. Of those, there were 156 seizure patients who were identified for analysis. The
mean (S.D.) age of all patients was 47.44 (19.80) and males accounted for 41.67%. There were 40
patients who had recurrent seizures (25.64%). There were 10 significant factors associated with recurrent
seizure at the ED. Of those, seven factors had a positive association with recurrent seizure; the top
three factors were seizure attacks >4 times prior to ED visit, age >70 years and cerebral infarction,
while the other three factors were negatively associated (history of antiepileptic drugs, brain surgery
and alcohol consumption).
Conclusions: Recurrent seizure at the ED may be related to seizure history prior to the ED visit, age,
cause of seizure, and co-morbid conditions.
Seizures