COVID-19, de novo seizures, and epilepsy: a systematic review

Asadi‐Pooya, Ali A.; Simani, Leila; Shahisavandi, Mina; Barzegar, Zohreh

doi:10.1007/s10072-020-04932-2

Cited by 67 publications

(76 citation statements)

References 84 publications

(136 reference statements)

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“…The ratio of confirmed cases of COVID-19 among the participants of our survey (eight cases in a sample of 111, or 7.2%) was similar to the one in the general population in Lithuania towards the end of the study (147,984 of confirmed cases in a population of 2,794,090 inhabitants, or 5.3%) [ 9 ]. However, COVID-19-related results (e.g., seizure exacerbation in one of the patients) are limited by a small sample size and the non-inclusion of severe or lethal COVID-19 cases, for which data are yet scant in the literature as well [ 6 , 10 ].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A deterioration of their physical and psychological condition was mostly associated with a lack of timely medical services, disrupted use or supply of antiseizure drugs (ASDs) and the consequences of strict lockdown measures, which induced mental health problems and were associated with seizure exacerbation [ 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 ]. While there is currently only limited evidence that COVID-19 is more severe or lethal in those with comorbid epilepsy, the spread of COVID-19 still exposes patients to a substantial risk of severe respiratory complications and often results in lockdowns, which disturb access to healthcare [ 6 , 7 , 8 ]. There were two periods of lockdown in Lithuania in 2020 (March–June and November–December) [ 9 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among People with Epilepsy in Lithuania

Puteikis

Mameniškienė

2021

IJERPH

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The purpose of our study was to determine the willingness to be vaccinated against COVID-19 and factors associated with vaccine hesitancy among people with epilepsy (PWE). In December 2020, we performed an online cross-sectional survey of PWE and their caregivers in Lithuania before the rollout of COVID-19 vaccines to the public. The study sample consisted of 111 respondents (44 (39.6%) male, median age 25 years (range 1 to 70)). From 58 PWE who personally responded to the survey, 27 (46.6%) would be willing to be vaccinated against COVID-19. Among the 53 caregivers, 18 (34.0%) would accept the person they care for to be vaccinated. Willingness to be vaccinated was associated with receiving an influenza shot in 2020 (odds ratio (OR) = 9.17, 95% confidence interval (CI = 1.15–73.47), the beliefs that vaccines are generally safe (OR = 7.90, 95% CI = 2.43–25.74) and that they are the only convenient way to gain immunity (OR = 3.91, 95% CI = 1.02–15.05). Respondents were hesitant to accept the COVID-19 vaccine if they thought it could cause the infection (OR = 0.14, 95% CI = 0.04–0.49). COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy is frequent among PWE and their caregivers. It is probably related to erroneous beliefs about their safety and mechanism of action.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among People with Epilepsy in Lithuania

Puteikis

Mameniškienė

2021

IJERPH

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“…In patients with COVID-19, de novo seizures were reported. 13 Electroencephalography (EEG) findings of patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection showed sporadic epileptiform activity (mostly frontal sharp waves) and generalized background slowing, particularly in patients with a decreased level of consciousness. 14 No abnormalities during the EEG recording were found.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The course of COVID-19 infection in patients with multiple sclerosis–The experience of one center based on the population of Upper Silesia

Nowak-Kiczmer

Kubicka-Bączyk

Niedziela

et al. 2021

Multiple Sclerosis and Related Disorders

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Background: It is suspected that patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) are at greater risk for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection due to disability and immunotherapy. The relationship between MS and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is uncertain. The aim of the study was to collect and analyze this relationship. Methods: All MS patients of the Neurological Outpatient Clinic in Zabrze, Poland, were regularly questioned for the symptoms of COVID-19 and contact with an infected person. Patients that presented with COVID-19 symptoms or confirmed contact with an infected person were referred for the COVID-19 test. All patients with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection (n=41) were included in the analysis. Medical records of the study group were analyzed. Patient condition was monitored in the outpatient clinic after recovery. In 26 subjects, additional examinations, including brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), electroneurography (ENG), electroencephalography (EEG), color duplex Doppler (CDD), visual evoked potentials (VEPs), brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) and psychological assessment were performed following recovery. Results: Only one patient required hospitalization during COVID-19 infection, whereas 87.80% of patients did not require treatment for COVID-19. In all patients, C-reactive protein (CRP) levels were below 10 mg/L. In 2.44% of patients, oxygen partial pressure was below 95%. In most MS patients, the results of further examinations after COVID-19 infection were similar to those prior to infection. Psychological assessment revealed that anxiety was found in 42.31% of patients. Conclusions: A mild course of COVID-19 in MS patients seems common despite disease-modifying drug treatment and disability. Self-isolation is recommended to reduce the number of infected patients. COVID-19 infection did not worsen the course of MS in most subjects. Patients with MS may require additional psychological support during the pandemic due to their susceptibility to anxiety.

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“…with seizures (even in people without pre-existing epilepsy) in many previous studies. 12 Furthermore, this pandemic has caused significant disruption in the quality and availability of care to PWE, as well as increased stress and social isolation rates; these may contribute to exacerbation or breakthrough seizures in PWE. 11,13 Finally, some patients with COVID-19 may develop a seizure as a consequence of hypoxemia, organ failure, metabolic derangements, or drug-drug interactions.…”

Section: Patients With Epilepsy May Have Different Clinical Manifestamentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID‐19 presentations and outcome in patients with epilepsy

et al. 2021

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Objective To determine whether patients with epilepsy (PWE) are particularly over‐represented in a very large cohort of patients with COVID‐19. We also investigated whether COVID‐19 is associated with a different clinical picture or a more severe course of illness in PWE (compared with others). Methods All consecutive patients who referred to and admitted at healthcare facilities anywhere in Fars province (located in the south of Iran with a population of 4,851,000 people) from February 19, 2020 until November 20, 2020 were included. Results A total of 37,968 patients were studied. Eighty‐two patients (0.2%) had pre‐existing epilepsy. Seizures were significantly more frequent among PWE as a presenting manifestation of COVID‐19 compared with that in people without epilepsy (Odds Ratio = 27; p = 0.0001). Furthermore, PWE less often reported cough (significantly) and more often had gastrointestinal symptoms (vomiting and anorexia; as trends) compared with those in people without epilepsy. Patients with epilepsy were not differently likely to be intubated or admitted at ICUs. Case fatality rates were not different between the two groups [9.8% in PWE and 8.5% in people without epilepsy; p = 0.690]. Conclusion Patients with epilepsy are not susceptible to contracting COVID‐19 more than other individuals. Furthermore, COVID‐19 in PWE is not associated with a more severe illness or a poorer prognosis. However, PWE and COVID‐19 may present somewhat differently than others with such an illness. Why PWE less often present with cough and more often present with gastrointestinal symptoms is not clear yet and should be investigated and clarified in the future studies.

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COVID-19, de novo seizures, and epilepsy: a systematic review

Cited by 67 publications

References 84 publications

Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among People with Epilepsy in Lithuania

Factors Associated with COVID-19 Vaccine Hesitancy among People with Epilepsy in Lithuania

The course of COVID-19 infection in patients with multiple sclerosis–The experience of one center based on the population of Upper Silesia

COVID‐19 presentations and outcome in patients with epilepsy

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