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Influence of meteorological and chronological factors in epilepsy

J. Altimiras-Roset, A. Brunet-Gómez, J.M. Aragonès, P. Roura-Poch [REV NEUROL 2014;59:345-348] PMID: 25297476 DOI: https://doi.org/10.33588/rn.5908.2014115

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Volumen 59 | Number 08 | Nº of views of the article 17.449 | Nº of PDF downloads 701 | Article publication date 16/10/2014

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ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION The professionals who deal with medical emergencies observe peaks in the incidence of epileptic seizures. Some epileptic patients attribute their seizures to climatic and seasonal changes. AIMS. To analyse the relationship between meteorological, calendar-related and circadian variables and the appearance of epileptic seizures.

PATIENTS AND METHODS A retrospective study was conducted in a residential home for persons with intellectual disability.

RESULTS The 16 residents who were studied presented 855 epileptic attacks, including 159 in peaks or clusters, over the period 2009-2012. The predominance of seizures observed in autumn and during the fourth quarter of the year is not significant (p > 0.05). There is no statistically significant relation between the presence of epileptic seizures and the phases of the moon or days of the week. Most epileptic seizures (87.2%) occur during the daytime (p < 0.001). Findings showed that 36.3% occur in the morning between 08:00 and 10:59. There is no statistical correlation between the number of epileptic seizures and the atmospheric pressure, rainfall, degree of humidity or mean temperature (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS The appearance of peaks or clustering of epileptic seizures was observed. Their presence shows a marked circadian component. The influence of meteorological factors, the phases of the moon and seasons of the year on epilepsy is not significant. KeywordsCluster Environment Epilepsy Meteorology Moon Seasons Seizures CategoriesEpilepsias y síndromes epilépticos

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Influence of meteorological and chronological factors in epilepsy

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