Frequency of Seizure Clusters and Their Associated Risk Factors in Adult Patients with Epilepsy Referred to Epilepsy Center of Kashani Hospital in Isfahan from 2011 to 2016

Abstract

Background: Epilepsy is a chronic neurologic condition and affects people of all ages. Seizure
clusters are generally referred to seizures that occur at close intervals with complete recovery
between attacks. Various studies have reported a variety of frequencies and risk factors for this
condition.

Methods: We designed a study to determine the frequency of seizure cluster and their
associated risk factors in Iranian population for the first time.

Results: Among 40 variables analyzed,
18 of them were significantly associated with seizure clustering. Risk factors including educational
level, age of onset, number of drugs, seizure types, perinatal complication, developmental delay,
other illnesses, parental consanguinity, systemic diseases, number of drugs used, mentation, motor
signs, sensory signs, cranial nerves signs, cerebellar signs, seizure duration, existence of magnetic
resonance imaging (MRI) lesion, and type of MRI pathology are significantly associated with
clustering of seizures. When associated risk factors were analyzed with multivariate analysis, age
of onset of seizures, number of antiepileptic drugs currently used, lack of seizure‑free periods,
seizure frequency, and type of MRI pathology are significantly defining for anticipating clustering
of seizures.

Conclusions: Seizure cluster has a significant negative impact on the quality of life
of patients. Important risk factors that are found to be associated are age of onset, parental
consanguinity, frequency of seizure, lack of have seizure‑free period or periods, pathologies in
neurological examination, and MRI findings.

Keywords: Epilepsy, predictors, risk factors, seizure freedom