GENDER DIFFERENCES IN PATIENTS WITH EPILEPSY CLASSIFIED ACCORDING TO THE INTERNATIONAL LEAGUE AGAINST EPILEPSY CLASSIFICATION

Z AYAZ; Z ALI

doi:10.54112/bcsrj.v2024i1.915

Authors

Z AYAZ Department of Medicine, LRH-MTI, Peshawar, Pakistan
Z ALI Department of Medicine, LRH-MTI, Peshawar, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54112/bcsrj.v2024i1.915

Keywords:

Epilepsy, Gender Differences, ILAE Classification, Seizures

Abstract

Epilepsy is a neurological disorder characterised by recurrent seizures, and it manifests differently across genders. Understanding these gender differences is crucial for tailored treatment and management strategies. Objective: To determine gender differences in patients with epilepsy classified according to the International League against Epilepsy (ILAE) classification. Methods: This descriptive observational study was conducted at the Department of Medicine, Lady Reading Hospital, Peshawar, from January 2023 to July 2023. The study included 140 patients with epilepsy, comprising 70 males and 70 females aged between 25 to 50 years. Gender differences were examined according to the ILAE classification for epilepsy. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 23. The Chi-Square test assessed gender differences in epilepsy and its subtypes, with a significance level (p-value) set at < 0.05. Results: The mean age of the participants was 37.74 ± 7.29 years. Idiopathic generalized epilepsy was significantly more common in females (42.9%, n=30) than in males (17.1%, n=12). Cryptogenic localization-related epilepsy was also more frequent in females (48.6%, n=34) compared to males (8.6%, n=6). Conversely, localization-related symptomatic epilepsy was significantly higher in males (74.3%, n=52) than in females (8.6%, n=6) (p = 0.0001). Conclusion: Idiopathic generalized and cryptogenic localization-related epilepsy were more prevalent in females, while localization-related symptomatic epilepsy was more common in males. These findings underscore the importance of considering gender differences in the diagnosis and treatment of epilepsy.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Yuen AW, Keezer MR, Sander JW. Epilepsy is a neurological and a systemic disorder. Epilepsy Behav 2018; 78:57-61.

Tombini M, Assenza G, Quintiliani L, Ricci L, Lanzone J, Di Lazzaro V. Epilepsy and quality of life: what does really matter? Neurol Sci 2021; 42:3757-65.

Riechmann J, Willems LM, Boor R, Kieslich M, Knake S, Langner C, et al. Quality of life and correlating factors in children, adolescents with epilepsy and their caregivers: a cross-sectional multicenter study from Germany. Seizure 2019; 69:92-8.

Willems LM, Watermann N, Richter S, Kay L , Hermsen AM, Knake S, et al. Incidence, risk factors and consequences of epilepsy-related injuries and accidents: a retrospective, single center study. Front Neurol 2018; 9: 414.

Boling W, Means M, Fletcher A. Quality of life and stigma in epilepsy: perspectives from selected regions of Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa. Brain Sci 2018; 8:59-65.

Fisher RS. The new classification of seizures by the International League Against Epilepsy 2017. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep 2017; 17:1-6.

Specchio N, Wirrell EC, Scheffer IE, Nabbout R, Riney K, Samia P, et al. International League Against Epilepsy classification and definition of epilepsy syndromes with onset in childhood: Position paper by the ILAE Task Force on Nosology and Definitions. Epilepsia 2022;63:1398-442.

Newton CR, Garcia HH. Epilepsy in poor regions of the world. The Lancet. 2012; 380:1193-201.

Trinka E, Kwan P, Lee B, Dash A. Epilepsy in Asia: disease burden, management barriers, and challenges. Epilepsia 2019; 60:7-21.

Singh G, Sander JW. The global burden of epilepsy report: implications for low-and middle-income countries. Epilepsy Behav 2020;105:106949.

Beghi E. The epidemiology of epilepsy. Neuroepidemiology 2020; 54:185-91.

Benamer HT, Grosset DG. A systematic review of the epidemiology of epilepsy in Arab countries. Epilepsia 2009; 50:2301-4.

Fisher RS, Acevedo C, Arzimanoglou A, Bogacz A, Cross JH, Elger CE, et al. A practical clinical definition of epilepsy. Epilepsia 2014; 55:475–82.

Beghi E. Addressing the burden of epilepsy: many unmet needs. Pharmacol Res 2016; 107:79-84.

Briellmann RS, Berkovic SF, Jackson GD. Men may be more vulnerable to seizure-associated brain damage. Neurology 2000;55:1479–85.

Al-Kattan M, Afifi L, Shamloul R, Mostafa EED. Assessment of precipitating factors of breakthrough seizures in epileptic patients. Egypt J Neurol Psychiatry Neurosurg 2015; 52:165–71.

Kishk N, Mourad H, Ibrahim S, Shamloul R, Al-Azazi A, Shalaby N. Sex differences among epileptic patients: a comparison of epilepsy and its impacts on demographic features, clinical characteristics and management patterns in a tertiary care hospital in Egypt. Egypt J Neurol Psychiatry Neurosurg 2019;55:1-8.

Christensen J, Kjeldsen MJ, Andersen H, Friis ML, Sidenius P. Gender differences in epilepsy. Epilepsia 2005; 46:956-60.