FREQUENCY AND CAUSES OF BREAKTHROUGH SEIZURES AMONG ADULT PATIENTS WITH EPILEPSY DESPITE ANTIEPILEPTIC TREATMENT

Abstract

Objective: To determine the frequency and causes related to the precipitation of breakthrough seizures among adult patients with epilepsy despite antiepileptic treatment.

Study Design: Cross sectional analytical study.

Place and Duration of Study: Pak Emirates Military Hospital Rawalpindi, from May 2018 to Oct 2018.

Methodology: The sample population comprised of 161 adult patients of epilepsy reporting to Military Hospital Rawalpindi with the epilepsy using the antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) at least for the past six months. Detailed history and physical examination was carried out for all the patients. Frequency of breakthrough seizures among this population was calculated and relationship were assessed with the precipitation of the breakthrough seizure.

Results: Out of 161 patients of epileptic included in the study, 78 were male and 83 were female. Out of these 80.1% patients had breakthrough seizures. After applying the logistic regression we found that increasing age, marital status, sleep deprivation, total duration of treatment, missing one or two doses of antiepileptic drugs and watching television for long hours were strongly related to the precipitation of breakthrough seizures in our study patients.

Conclusion: There was showed high frequency of breakthrough seizures in our population despite the use of AEDs. Special attention should be paid to the patients with increasing age and living alone. Education of patients regarding proper sleep, stress management, restricting TV hours and strict compliance should be done in order to prevent the phenomenon of breakthrough seizures and achieve a good control over this potentially life threatening condition.