A population‐based study of risk of epilepsy after hospitalization for traumatic brain injury

Abstract

SUMMARYPurpose: This study was undertaken to determine the risk of developing posttraumatic epilepsy (PTE) within 3 years after discharge among a population-based sample of older adolescents and adults hospitalized with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in South Carolina. It also identifies characteristics related to development of PTE within this population. Methods: A stratified random sample of persons aged 15 and older with TBI was selected from the South Carolina nonfederal hospital discharge dataset for four consecutive years. Medical records of recruits were reviewed, and they participated in up to three yearly follow-up telephone interviews. Results: The cumulative incidence of PTE in the first 3 years after discharge, after adjusting for loss to follow-up, was 4.4 per 100 persons over 3 years for hospitalized mild TBI, 7.6 for moderate, and 13.6 for severe. Those with severe TBI, posttraumatic seizures prior to discharge, and a history of depression were most at risk for PTE. This higher risk group also included persons with three or more chronic medical conditions at discharge. Discussion: These results raise the possibility that although some of the characteristics related to development of PTE are nonmodifiable, other factors, such as depression, might be altered with intervention. Further research into factors associated with developing PTE could lead to risk-reducing treatments.

Traumatic brain injury among female offenders in a prison population: results of the FleuryTBI study

“…One could argue that moderate or severe TBI is sometimes responsible for post‐traumatic epilepsy. Therefore, the high prevalence of epilepsy in this population could be linked to the high prevalence of moderate to severe TBI (Ferguson et al., 2010). Epilepsy can also cause falls and therefore could be one reason for the high prevalence of TBI in this prison population.…”

Characterization of acute post-craniectomy seizures in traumatically brain-injured patients

“…Although the frequency of post-traumatic seizures for all types of head injuries varies, the literature is in agreement that increased severity of TBI appears to lead to an increased risk of seizures. 3,9,10 When only severe head injuries are considered, the incidence of seizures is 10-35%. 3 In clinical practice, severely headinjured patients often develop malignant brain swelling, and need aggressive DC to ameliorate the raised intracranial pressure.…”

Epileptische Anfälle nach leichten Schädel-Hirn-Traumen

“…Über einzelne Spät anfälle nach LSHT berichten Angeleri et al [2]. In der Studie von Ferguson et al [24] kam es bei 4,4% der Patienten mit einem LSHT innerhalb von 3 Jahren nach dem Trauma zu einer posttraumatischen Epilepsie.…”