The effect of atmospheric pressure on frequency and patient's subjective perception of epileptic seizure severity

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to determine the atmospheric pressure effect on the frequency of certain types of epileptic seizures as well as on patient's subjective perception of the seizure "severity". Subjects and methods:The study was conducted prospectively, from April, 4th 2012. and it lasted for one year. Included were patients with epilepsy, without cognitive impairment or with mild cognitive impairment (a score of mini mental status MMS> 23), who regularly take antiepileptics. Daily personal epileptic seizure calendar of all subjects was monitored for twelve months, and atmospheric pressure value was monitored using biometeorological calendar. The calendar recorded the date, the time of seizure, with the assessment of the seizure "severity" (from 1 to 5), and based on autoanamnestic and heteroanamnestic data. Results:Of 150 subjects included in the study, 74 (49.3%) were male, while 76 (50.7%) were female. There was no statistically significant difference in age between male and female subjects, with a probability of p = 0.082 (t = -1.751). There were 58 patients with generalized tonic-clonic seizures, (total 58), 56 patients with simple focal seizures, and 36 with complex focal seizures. The seizure frequency in both male and female subjects did not depend on the atmospheric pressure value. However, the seizure frequency is statistically more frequent in days of changing in atmospheric pressure (either decrease or increase) in both men and women. Pearson correlation revealed only statistically significant (p <0.031) negative correlation of the seizure severity with the difference (change) in atmospheric pressure in male subjects, and where the correlation was extremely weak with the coefficient of correlation of r = -0,201. Association of seizure type with atmospheric pressure and its changes did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion:These results certainly require further monitoring of associated biometerological parameters and their effects on seizure onset.