Multiple Factors Including Infections and Antibiotics Affecting New‐Onset Epilepsy in Hemodialysis Patients

Abstract

This study investigates some clinical characteristics of maintenance hemodialysis patients with new‐onset epilepsy. Thirty‐five patients with new‐onset epilepsy who underwent maintenance hemodialysis were selected for study. Sixty patients undergoing routine hemodialysis were selected as the control group. We evaluated and compared the general characteristics, clinical features, and prognosis of patients in both groups. Investigation of the etiology of the 35 cases of new‐onset epilepsy identified 17 cases of metabolic encephalopathy, six cases of viral encephalitis, five cases of cerebral infarction, five cases of cerebral hemorrhage, and two cases of purulent meningitis. Among the 35 patients, 19 experienced improvement in their condition and 16 patients died. The overall mortality rate was 45.71%. There were statistically significant differences between the epilepsy group and control group in gender, incidence of fever, application of antibiotic treatment, levels of serum albumin, and the clinical course of hypertension (P < 0.05). Maintenance hemodialysis patients who experience new‐onset epilepsy are often critically ill with rapid progression of disease and a high mortality rate. Female dialysis patients complicated with infections, antibiotics use and hypoalbuminemia are more likely to develop epilepsy.