Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on characteristics of functional (psychogenic) seizures

Asadi‐Pooya, Ali A.; Farazdaghi, Mohsen

doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2021.110514

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…There is no clear evidence that any other FMD type has demonstrated a similar increase in frequency. Within the broader spectrum of FND, a higher frequency of psychogenic non epileptic seizures (PNES) compared to before March 2020 has been observed [15], although this falls outside the scope of this article.…”

Section: Phenomenologymentioning

confidence: 91%

The recent surge of functional movement disorders: social distress or greater awareness?

Pringsheim

Martino

2022

Current Opinion in Neurology

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Purpose of reviewTo analyze the interrelated factors that have led to the striking increase in functional movement disorders in recent years, with a focus on functional tic-like behaviours (FTLB).Recent findingsThe sudden onset of FTLB has been widely observed in several countries since the beginning of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, whereas it was previously very rarely reported. Pandemic-related FTLB typically occur in young females, share complex, disabling and tic-lookalike patterns, and are usually triggered by the exposure to videos portraying tic-like behaviours on social media. Both pandemic-related FTLB and prepandemic FTLB are associated with high levels of depression and anxiety. FTLB related to the pandemic highlight the role of social media in the psychopathological behaviours of our time.SummaryWe suggest FTLB are due to a combination of predisposing factors (high genetic and epigenetic risk for anxiety and depression, negative past experiences) and precipitating factors (pandemic and its impact on mental health, exposure to certain social media content). These factors of vulnerability may increase the risk of developing behavioural and emotional problems in youth, such as FTLB. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment of psychiatric comorbidities seem to be predictors of positive prognosis.

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Section: Phenomenologymentioning

confidence: 91%

The recent surge of functional movement disorders: social distress or greater awareness?

Pringsheim

Martino

2022

Current Opinion in Neurology

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“…In a previous study, at one of the centers involved in the current study, we observed that patients diagnosed during the COVID-19 pandemic less frequently had generalized motor FS and had higher seizure frequencies. In addition, FS were inversely associated with the education level as a trend during the COVID-19 pandemic [13] . However, this was a single center study with a limited number of patients during the COVID-19 pandemic (24 persons).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 93%

An international study of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on characteristics of functional seizures

Asadi-Pooya

Trinka

Hingray

et al. 2022

Epilepsy & Behavior

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Objective We investigated whether the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the clinical characteristics of patients with functional seizure (FS) (at the time of diagnosis) in a large multicenter international study. Methods This was a retrospective study. We investigated all patients with FS, who were admitted at the epilepsy monitoring units at six centers in the world: 1. Shiraz, Iran; 2. Salzburg, Austria; 3. Nancy, France; 4. Atlanta, USA; 5. Kuwait City, Kuwait; and 6. Cairo, Egypt. Patients were studied during two time periods: admitted in 2018-2019 (pre-COVID era) and 2020-2021 (COVID era). Results Three hundred and twenty-six patients were studied. Two hundred and twenty-four (68.7%) patients were diagnosed before and 102 (31.3%) persons during the COVID-19 pandemic. Only, a history of family dysfunction was significantly associated with the COVID-19 pandemic era (Odds Ratio: 1.925, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.099-3.371; p = 0.022). A low level of education might also be associated with FS during the COVID-19 pandemic, at least in some cultures (e.g., the Middle-East). Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has not affected the clinical characteristics of patients with FS (at the time of diagnosis). However, a history of family dysfunction was significantly more frequently associated with FS during the COVID-19 pandemic. Multiagency integration of law enforcement responses, social services, and social awareness are recommended to address family dysfunction and domestic violence and support the victims during this pandemic.

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“…In three previous studies, it was observed that the COVID-19 pandemic may have associations with some of the characteristics of FS at diagnosis [6] , [7] , [8] . However, in FS, often there is a significant delay between the onset of functional seizures and the diagnosis of the condition.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

New-onset functional seizures during the COVID-19 pandemic

Asadi-Pooya¹,

Farazdaghi²

2022

Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery

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Effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on characteristics of functional (psychogenic) seizures

Cited by 5 publications

References 21 publications

The recent surge of functional movement disorders: social distress or greater awareness?

The recent surge of functional movement disorders: social distress or greater awareness?

An international study of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on characteristics of functional seizures

New-onset functional seizures during the COVID-19 pandemic

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