open access

Vol 45, No 6 (2011)
ARTYKUŁ ORYGINALNY
Submitted: 2010-09-20
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Seizure frequency and bioelectric brain activity in epileptic patients in stable and unstable atmospheric pressure and temperature in different seasons of the year – a preliminary report

Ewa Motta1, Anna Gołba1, Anetta Bal2, Zofia Kazibutowska2, Michalina Strzała-Orzeł3
DOI: 10.1016/S0028-3843(14)60123-7
·
Neurol Neurochir Pol 2011;45(6):561-566.
Affiliations
  1. II Klinika Neurologii, Instytut Psychiatrii i Neurologii w Warszawie
  2. SPSK Nr 7, Górnośląskie Centrum Medyczne w Katowicach
  3. Oddział Neurologii Szpitala dla Nerwowo i Psychicznie Chorych w Rybniku

open access

Vol 45, No 6 (2011)
ARTYKUŁ ORYGINALNY
Submitted: 2010-09-20

Abstract

Background and purpose

An epileptic seizure is a sum of exogenous and endogenous factors affecting an epileptic focus. The aim of the study was to examine the influence of changes in atmospheric pressure and temperature on the increase in the frequency of seizures and changes in EEG in epileptic patients.

Material and methods

The study included 30 epileptic patients (aged 19–54) reporting the influence of changes in weather conditions on the increase in the frequency of seizures for at least 2 years. EEG was performed twice each season at the time of stable and unstable weather conditions.

Results

In stable and unstable weather conditions, epileptic changes in EEG were most often found in winter (in 43.3% and 63.3% of patients, respectively). Unstable weather conditions increased the proportion of patients with epileptic changes in EEG also in the other seasons. Unstable weather conditions caused an increase in the frequency of seizures in 40% of patients in spring, 43.3% in autumn, 40% in winter and in approximately 7% in summer.

Conclusions

In spring, autumn and winter, unstable weather conditions cause an increase in the frequency of seizures in almost half of the epileptic patients but only in 7% in summer. The increase in frequency of seizures in unstable weather conditions did not correspond in all patients with increase of changes in EEG. The higher proportion of epileptic patients with changes in EEG in unstable weather conditions in all seasons suggests an impact of these conditions on subclinical seizure discharges in this period.

Abstract

Background and purpose

An epileptic seizure is a sum of exogenous and endogenous factors affecting an epileptic focus. The aim of the study was to examine the influence of changes in atmospheric pressure and temperature on the increase in the frequency of seizures and changes in EEG in epileptic patients.

Material and methods

The study included 30 epileptic patients (aged 19–54) reporting the influence of changes in weather conditions on the increase in the frequency of seizures for at least 2 years. EEG was performed twice each season at the time of stable and unstable weather conditions.

Results

In stable and unstable weather conditions, epileptic changes in EEG were most often found in winter (in 43.3% and 63.3% of patients, respectively). Unstable weather conditions increased the proportion of patients with epileptic changes in EEG also in the other seasons. Unstable weather conditions caused an increase in the frequency of seizures in 40% of patients in spring, 43.3% in autumn, 40% in winter and in approximately 7% in summer.

Conclusions

In spring, autumn and winter, unstable weather conditions cause an increase in the frequency of seizures in almost half of the epileptic patients but only in 7% in summer. The increase in frequency of seizures in unstable weather conditions did not correspond in all patients with increase of changes in EEG. The higher proportion of epileptic patients with changes in EEG in unstable weather conditions in all seasons suggests an impact of these conditions on subclinical seizure discharges in this period.

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Keywords

epilepsy, EEG, seasons, weather conditions

About this article
Title

Seizure frequency and bioelectric brain activity in epileptic patients in stable and unstable atmospheric pressure and temperature in different seasons of the year – a preliminary report

Journal

Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska

Issue

Vol 45, No 6 (2011)

Pages

561-566

Page views

388

Article views/downloads

838

DOI

10.1016/S0028-3843(14)60123-7

Bibliographic record

Neurol Neurochir Pol 2011;45(6):561-566.

Keywords

epilepsy
EEG
seasons
weather conditions

Authors

Ewa Motta
Anna Gołba
Anetta Bal
Zofia Kazibutowska
Michalina Strzała-Orzeł

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