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Summary:Purpose: To assess knowledge of and attitudes toward epilepsy in the Austrian general public and to identify independent predictors of negative attitudes.Methods: A survey consisting of a representative sample of 2,128 Austrian adults was commissioned. A questionnaire similar to the ones used in earlier studies in other countries was used. The independent influence of socioeconomic variables and of knowledge and concepts about epilepsy on attitudes were analyzed by using logistic stepwise regression procedure.Results: Nearly 10% of respondents expressed negative attitudes toward people with epilepsy. These figures are similar to those of other studies performed in comparable societies. In addition to being male and of low socioeconomic background, having little theoretical knowledge about epilepsy, misconceptions of epilepsy as a form of insanity, and no personal acquaintance with someone with epilepsy independently predispose to unfavorable attitudes toward epilepsy.Conclusions: Information campaigns on epilepsy are likely to improve attitudes toward epilepsy when they target misconceptions about epilepsy and when they offer opportunities for personal acquaintance with people with epilepsy.

Knowledge concerning the relationship between multiple sclerosis and epilepsy is reviewed. Epidemiological studies have established that epileptic seizures are more frequent in multiple sclerosis than predicted by chance. Partial epilepsies with focal seizures often with atypical symptoms and with or without secondary generalisation are the usual pattern. In the survey special emphasis is laid on the direct correlation between paroxysmal phenomena and plaques now demonstrable by modern imaging techniques. These images have shown that epileptic seizures can be caused by cortical and subcortical lesions and by their accompanying oedema. We extend the review to non-epileptic paroxysmal symptoms, such as tonic spasm, which may be confused with epileptic seizures. As far as they are supported by data, recommendations for diagnosis and therapy are given. Open questions are identified and issues for further research are suggested.

SummaryThis study was set up to evaluate retrospectively the eYcacy of a standard diagnostic procedure, including noninvasive and invasive (spinal tap, nerve/ muscle biopsy) investigations, in the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy. The medical records of 171 in-patients with the final diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy of determined or undetermined cause were reviewed and each individual diagnostic work-up was analysed. Basic investigations included the patient's history, a clinical examination and basic laboratory tests. Depending on the individual presentation, course, and severity, further noninvasive and invasive examinations were added according to the department's standard diagnostic procedure. The aetiology could be clarified in 124 patients (73%) and remained unclear in 47 cases. Excluding cases with acute and chronic inflammatory polyneuropathy (n=14), the number of idiopathic peripheral neuropathies dropped to 33. Non-invasive investigations were suYcient to reveal the underlying aetiology in 114 cases (83 %). It is concluded that, with the application of a standard procedure for the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy, the aetiology can be clarified in 81% of patients. In the other 19% of patients the aetiology remains idiopathic. In the majority of cases, noninvasive investigations were suYcient for diagnosis.

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