The objective of this study was to assess vitamin D levels in epileptic patients and to compare its serum levels in patients on antiepileptic monotherapy and polytherapy. We analyzed the serum 25-hydroxy (25-OH) vitamin D levels in 98 consecutive subjects (43 epileptic patients and 55 non-epileptics). Factors influencing its serum levels such as degree of sun exposure, physical activity and dietary intake were taken into consideration. Overall, 41% had deficient, 49% had insufficient and 9% had sufficient levels of serum vitamin D. Elderly individuals (>60 years) and people employed in offices and schools had lower blood vitamin D levels. Across both the sexes, epileptic patients and non-epileptics, epileptic patients on monotherapy and polytherapy and patients with drug-responsive and -resistant seizures, there were no significant differences in serum 25-OH vitamin D levels. Our study shows that people with epilepsy suffer with vitamin D deficiency along with their normal peers.

Background: The rapid changes in the lifestyles of people in the developing countries such as India are known to increase the incidence of risk factors for stroke like hypertension (HTN), diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia. Tobacco smoking and alcoholism are on the rise. Hence, stroke might occur in younger age groups when compared to the earlier generations. We compared data of age at stroke in India across a decade. Methods: Data from medical case records of 299 stroke patients from our tertiary referral Government General Hospital, Guntur, from January 2012 to December 2014 are collected and compared with previous studies of stroke in India. Results: The mean age at stroke was 55 (14) years with 32.3% women. The prevalence of smoking was 43%, HTN 46%, diabetes 17% and dyslipidemia 54.6%. A previous medical diagnosis of coronary artery disease was reported in 0.01% cases. When compared to previous studies, there was no significant change in mean age of stroke (p = 1.0). While smoking and dyslipidemias have increased, HTN and diabetes were more in earlier decades. Conclusions: The age at stroke has remained constant over the last 4 decades in India. The profile of risk factors for stroke has changed over the years.

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Although the experimental data remain inconclusive, our clinical study suggests that patients who use mobile phones are less likely to have drug-resistant epilepsy.