Patna: Worldwide Epilepsy Day, noticed on the second Monday of Feb since 2015, goals to teach the general public, break the stigma surrounding epilepsy and encourage open discussions that might result in a higher understanding of the situation. The day additionally highlights the necessity for additional analysis on this area as early detection and remedial measures are mandatory for saving lives.
A current examine performed by Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), Patna, over two years on 310 sufferers aged one and above revealed that focal epilepsy — a neurological situation resulting in recurrent seizures affecting one half of the mind — was the most typical kind, present in 55.8% of instances, whereas the remaining 44.2% had generalised epilepsy, which impairs consciousness and disrupts electrical exercise throughout the mind. “We’ve got despatched the findings of the examine to Lisbon (Portugal) within the final week of Jan this 12 months and I’ll most likely be representing IGIMS on the Epilepsy Congress scheduled for Sept this 12 months,” mentioned Dr Ashok Kumar, professor and head of the neurology division at IGIMS.
Discussing the examine additional, Dr Kumar mentioned among the many 310 sufferers, 194 have been males and 116 girls. The biggest group (23.8%) belonged to the 18-30 age bracket, adopted by these aged 13-18, who constituted 23.5%, whereas the third highest prevalence was amongst kids aged 6-12 years, comprising 19.6% of instances.
“The examine additionally revealed that 43.8% of sufferers confirmed optimistic outcomes for epilepsy on MRI whereas 46.12% had a standard MRI scan on a 1.5 Tesla MRI machine regardless of having the illness,” mentioned Dr Kumar. He added that probably the most generally noticed seizure semiology (indicators) was focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizure, affecting 36.4% of sufferers, which includes convulsions throughout all the physique. The second most typical was generalised tonic-clonic seizures, present in 36% of sufferers, whereas focal seizures with impaired consciousness have been noticed in 13.5%.
“In our examine, aetiology (the reason for the illness) was recognized in 59.7% of instances, whereas the remaining 40.3% had unknown causes. Amongst sufferers with a recognized aetiology, the most typical trigger was structural, accounting for 39.35% of instances, adopted by infections (13.5%), genetic components (3.2%) and inflammatory or autoimmune situations (2.5%),” he mentioned.
Amongst structural causes, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) — a mind damage brought on by decreased oxygen or blood circulation — was probably the most prevalent, affecting 38.4% of sufferers. “HIE happens when the mind is disadvantaged of oxygen or correct circulation,” mentioned Dr Kumar. Gliotic adjustments, the place the physique produces extra glial cells that assist nerve cells, have been noticed in 25.9% of instances whereas non-cancerous tumours have been present in 14.4%, and post-stroke epilepsy was detected in 11%.
Concerning infectious causes, neurocysticercosis, a helminthic an infection affecting the central nervous system, was recognized because the main trigger, adopted by tuberculoma — frequent amongst kids in creating international locations — and viral encephalitis.
Talking about world information, Dr Kumar mentioned epilepsy was a neurological dysfunction that may be life-threatening if not handled in time. “Standing epilepticus (SE) is a neurological emergency the place seizures persist uncontrollably for as much as half-hour with mortality charges ranging between 3% and 40%. Refractory SE is much more critical, requiring intensive care and anaesthesia. Probably the most regarding type, super-refractory SE, happens when seizures stay uncontrolled for over 24 hours regardless of anaesthetic intervention, necessitating even increased doses of treatment,” he mentioned.
Dr Kumar added that refractory epilepsy, also referred to as drug-resistant epilepsy, happens when antiepileptic medicine (AEDs) fail to regulate seizures successfully. Tremendous-refractory SE is a uncommon and extreme situation the place seizures proceed for over 24 hours regardless of medical intervention, usually requiring extended hospitalisation and aggressive therapy.
A current examine performed by Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), Patna, over two years on 310 sufferers aged one and above revealed that focal epilepsy — a neurological situation resulting in recurrent seizures affecting one half of the mind — was the most typical kind, present in 55.8% of instances, whereas the remaining 44.2% had generalised epilepsy, which impairs consciousness and disrupts electrical exercise throughout the mind. “We’ve got despatched the findings of the examine to Lisbon (Portugal) within the final week of Jan this 12 months and I’ll most likely be representing IGIMS on the Epilepsy Congress scheduled for Sept this 12 months,” mentioned Dr Ashok Kumar, professor and head of the neurology division at IGIMS.
Discussing the examine additional, Dr Kumar mentioned among the many 310 sufferers, 194 have been males and 116 girls. The biggest group (23.8%) belonged to the 18-30 age bracket, adopted by these aged 13-18, who constituted 23.5%, whereas the third highest prevalence was amongst kids aged 6-12 years, comprising 19.6% of instances.
“The examine additionally revealed that 43.8% of sufferers confirmed optimistic outcomes for epilepsy on MRI whereas 46.12% had a standard MRI scan on a 1.5 Tesla MRI machine regardless of having the illness,” mentioned Dr Kumar. He added that probably the most generally noticed seizure semiology (indicators) was focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizure, affecting 36.4% of sufferers, which includes convulsions throughout all the physique. The second most typical was generalised tonic-clonic seizures, present in 36% of sufferers, whereas focal seizures with impaired consciousness have been noticed in 13.5%.
“In our examine, aetiology (the reason for the illness) was recognized in 59.7% of instances, whereas the remaining 40.3% had unknown causes. Amongst sufferers with a recognized aetiology, the most typical trigger was structural, accounting for 39.35% of instances, adopted by infections (13.5%), genetic components (3.2%) and inflammatory or autoimmune situations (2.5%),” he mentioned.
Amongst structural causes, hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) — a mind damage brought on by decreased oxygen or blood circulation — was probably the most prevalent, affecting 38.4% of sufferers. “HIE happens when the mind is disadvantaged of oxygen or correct circulation,” mentioned Dr Kumar. Gliotic adjustments, the place the physique produces extra glial cells that assist nerve cells, have been noticed in 25.9% of instances whereas non-cancerous tumours have been present in 14.4%, and post-stroke epilepsy was detected in 11%.
Concerning infectious causes, neurocysticercosis, a helminthic an infection affecting the central nervous system, was recognized because the main trigger, adopted by tuberculoma — frequent amongst kids in creating international locations — and viral encephalitis.
Talking about world information, Dr Kumar mentioned epilepsy was a neurological dysfunction that may be life-threatening if not handled in time. “Standing epilepticus (SE) is a neurological emergency the place seizures persist uncontrollably for as much as half-hour with mortality charges ranging between 3% and 40%. Refractory SE is much more critical, requiring intensive care and anaesthesia. Probably the most regarding type, super-refractory SE, happens when seizures stay uncontrolled for over 24 hours regardless of anaesthetic intervention, necessitating even increased doses of treatment,” he mentioned.
Dr Kumar added that refractory epilepsy, also referred to as drug-resistant epilepsy, happens when antiepileptic medicine (AEDs) fail to regulate seizures successfully. Tremendous-refractory SE is a uncommon and extreme situation the place seizures proceed for over 24 hours regardless of medical intervention, usually requiring extended hospitalisation and aggressive therapy.
