Prevalence of Acute Symptomatic Seizures among Adult Medical Admissions

Abstract

Seizure is a transient physiological disorder of the brain caused by abnormal electrical discharge of a group of cortical neurons whose type depends on the function and location of these neurons. Acute symptomatic seizures (ASS) are clinical seizures that occur as a result of systemic or neurological complications of the central nervous system. In fact, ASS is an acute disorder that primarily or secondarily affects the brain. The temporal relationship between the causative agent and the incidence of ASS and clinical definition based on the International Association of Guidelines (ILAE) includes a one-week period in cases such as stroke, head injury, or hypoxic encephalopathy; Acute infectious or inflammatory diseases of the central nervous system, based on clinical, laboratory, or imaging findings; Within 24 hours in metabolic disorders and; Within 7 to 48 hours of the latest seizures are due to alcohol withdrawal or substance abuse. Because the cumulative risk of these seizures varies at different ages and in different societies, diagnosis and treatment vary by cause and, like most prevention, are better and less expensive than our; we decided to address these causes in our community. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of acute symptomatic seizures in adult medical admissions. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed in patients with a diagnosis of acute symptomatic seizures admitted to the neurology ward of Imam Reza Hospital in Tabriz during the last three years. The findings of systemic and neurological examination of the patient and laboratory findings such as electrolytes, liver and kidney function, blood culture results and imaging results and brain scan of the patient in the file are carefully studied and based on these results and the final diagnosis. Patients were used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 200 patients were included in the study with mean age of 49.60±12.20 years and 52% of patients were male. The highest frequency was in the age group of 40 to 50 years (28%). The most common cause is stroke (36.5%) and then infectious causes (29.5%). Among the causes of stroke, the highest frequency was related to hemorrhagic stroke. In contrast, meningeal encephalitis was the most common cause of infection. Other causes of acute symptomatic seizures were metabolic (18.5%) and toxic (7%), respectively. Hyperglycemia (7%) and then hypoglycemia (5%) were the most common metabolic causes. Hypertension accounted for 6% of cases.