DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2017.v05i01.046

Pages: 237-243

Elderly people are the most rapidly growing segment of the population. The incidence and prevalence of seizure are higher in this age group than in younger people. However, population-based studies indicate that seizure disorders increase in incidence and prevalence after the age of 60 years. The aim of present study was to study the etiology and clinical profile of seizures in elderly patients (age>60yrs). All elderly patients ( >60 years of age) presenting with new onset seizures admitted in Department of Medicine, S.S. Medical College and SGMH, Rewa, between March 2015 to May 2016 were included in this study. Relevant routine investigations including S. electrolytes and special investigations like lumbar puncture, serological tests, CT scan or MRI brain, EEG were done in selected cases. 100 patients presenting with seizures (62 male and 38 female) were assessed clinically and by routine and special investigations. In the present study, among type of seizures GTCS accounted for 51 cases, focal seizures in 49 cases and status epilepticus found in 4 cases. In the present study Stroke (43%) was the leading cause of seizure. Amongst stroke, Ischaemic stroke (58.13%) was commoner. The most common cause for GTCS (51% of all cases) was stroke (56.86%) followed by metabolic cause (13.72%). For focal seizure (49% of all cases) the most common cause was idiopathic 32.65% followed by stroke in 28.57%. Stroke is the most common cause of seizure in elderly population, followed by CNS Infections, Metabolic causes, CNS tumours and Idiopathic. Among stroke, seizures occur more commonly in ischemic stroke than in hemorrhagic stroke. Hence special emphasis should be made on prevention of stroke so that the incidence of subsequent seizures can be reduced.