The effect of quarantine due to Covid-19 pandemic on seizure frequency in 102 adult people with epilepsy from Apulia and Basilicata regions, Southern Italy

D’Orsi, G.; Mazzeo, F; Ravidà, Domenico; Claudio, Maria Teresa Di; Sabetta, Annarita; Lalla, Alessandra; Sbrizzi, Stefania; Avolio, Carlo

doi:10.1016/j.clineuro.2021.106592

Cited by 8 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 19 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…A decrease in seizure frequency was also noted in 25% of patients. Two studies in Italy reported similar findings [25] , [26] . The authors hypothesised that the decreased frequency was due to a ‘quarantine effect’ with a relative reduction of triggers for epileptic seizures.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 57%

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on persons with epilepsy in Uganda: A descriptive cross-sectional study

Gumisiriza

Kamoen²,

Boven

et al. 2022

Epilepsy & Behavior

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective To evaluate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on the disease course, lives and psychosocial wellbeing of persons with epilepsy (PWE) in Uganda. Methods From April 2021 till May 2021, we carried out a descriptive cross-sectional study at four hospitals located in four regions of Uganda. PWE presenting at the study sites were offered a structured questionnaire in the local language. We used the PHQ-9 questionnaire to screen for depression and the GAD-7 to screen for anxiety. Univariate and multivariable logistic regression was used to investigate factors associated with anxiety and depression. Results A total of 370 responses were collected. The median age of the respondents was 20.5 years (IQR 15-29), and 51.9% were males. During the lockdown period, the seizure frequency increased in 87 (23.5%) PWE. Various forms of physical and psychological violence were inflicted upon 106 (28.6%) PWE. Fifty-eight (15.7%) screened positive for anxiety and 65 (17.6%) positive for depression. Both increased seizure frequency and experienced violence were associated with experiencing depression and anxiety. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown impacted seizure frequency and the psychosocial wellbeing of PWE in Uganda. Increased seizure frequency was associated with higher rates of anxiety and depression. This underlines the importance of continued follow-up of PWE and a low threshold to screen for depression, anxiety and domestic violence.

show abstract

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 57%

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on persons with epilepsy in Uganda: A descriptive cross-sectional study

Gumisiriza

Kamoen²,

Boven

et al. 2022

Epilepsy & Behavior

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The full-text screening of these studies led to the exclusion of 27 studies that did not meet the inclusion criteria. A total of 17 studies finally fulfilled the eligibility criteria for inclusion in the systematic review [6] , [7] , [8] , [9] , [10] , [11] , [12] , [13] , [14] , [15] , [16] , [17] , [18] , [19] , [20] , [21] , [22] . The selection process is outlined in Fig.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Considering temporality in causal relationship between seizure worsening and psychological stress in patients with epilepsy during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review

Fujimoto

2021

Epilepsy & Behavior

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

“…12 In many studies, rate of increase in seizure frequency has been reported between 5-30% during the pandemic, and this increase in seizures is caused by psychosocial problems, fear, anxiety, depression, and sleep problems as a result of the pandemic rather than the direct effect of COVID-19 4,9,11,13,15,26-28. From this point of view, it can be said that the pandemic affects psychosocial health rather than physical health in PWE and indirectly causes an increase in seizure frequency. 13 In addition, it was reported that patients who reported an increase in seizure frequency during the pandemic also had frequent seizures before the pandemic, and patients in this group were more affected by the pandemic psychosocially. 9,26,[29][30] Similarly, in our study, the seizure frequency before and after the pandemic was at close values, seizure-free periods of the patients were preserved, and there was a relative increase in those who had frequent seizures previously.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Increased time spent at home has changed the routines of PwE, disrupted their sleep patterns, and caused social isolation. [11][12][13][14] With the addition of economic problems to all these negativities, the devastating effect of the COVID-19 pandemic has been even greater. 15 Although PwE often manages to protect themselves from being infected with the COVID-19, it is not possible to say the same things for the psychosocial effects.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 pandemic in Istanbul: Seizure frequency and psychosocial outcomes in patients with epilepsy

Yeni¹,

Tulek²,

Özer³

et al. 2022

NeuroAsia

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Objective: The aim of this study was to examine seizure frequency and psychosocial outcomes in patients with epilepsy (PwE) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: This cross-sectional case- control study included 319 adult PwE and 327 healthy controls (HC). The data were collected using a patient/person information form, Worry and Anxiety Questionnaire (WAQ), Beck Depression Inventory (BDI-II), and the Pittsburg Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Results: Seventy-four (23.1%) patients had an increase in seizure frequency during the pandemic. The mean age of PWE with increased seizure frequency (ISF) was lower (32.8±9.3) than PWE with unchanged seizure frequency (USF) (37.0±11.4). When psychosocial impacts of the pandemic were compared between the groups, the ISF group was psychologically affected more than the USF and HC groups. WAQ and BDI-II scores were higher in ISF than USF and higher in USF than HC group. Also, the analysis revealed that the seizure frequency during the pandemic was almost similar before the pandemic. However, only those who had frequent seizures before the pandemic had worsened seizure frequency during the pandemic. The analysis showed that factors such as having trouble in drug supply, having more than 4-6 seizures in a year, worrying about seizure intervention, and being depressed, were related to being psychologically affected by the pandemic. Conclusion: It was observed that the psychosocial outcomes during the pandemic were worse in PwE than healthy controls, especially in those with increased seizure frequency. Therefore, it is essential to increase the medical and psychosocial support to PwE during the pandemic.

show abstract

The effect of quarantine due to Covid-19 pandemic on seizure frequency in 102 adult people with epilepsy from Apulia and Basilicata regions, Southern Italy

Cited by 8 publications

References 19 publications

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on persons with epilepsy in Uganda: A descriptive cross-sectional study

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on persons with epilepsy in Uganda: A descriptive cross-sectional study

Considering temporality in causal relationship between seizure worsening and psychological stress in patients with epilepsy during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review

COVID-19 pandemic in Istanbul: Seizure frequency and psychosocial outcomes in patients with epilepsy

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About