Risk factors for cryptogenic and idiopathic partial epilepsy: a community-based case-control study in Copparo, Italy.
OBJECTIVE
The etiology of epilepsy remains unknown in most cases. We sought to investigate the role of some pre-, peri- and postnatal factors in the etiology of idiopathic and cryptogenetic partial epilepsy.


METHODS
We carried out a community-based case-control study using the incidence cohort of epileptic patients living in the district of Copparo, in the province of Ferrara, Italy. The study was performed in 55 cases and 165 controls. A standardized questionnaire was used to collect information in face-to-face interviews.


RESULTS
Multivariate logistic regression analysis found that a personal history of febrile convulsions [odds ratio (OR) = 4.01, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.3-19.1] and a family history of seizures in first-degree relatives (OR = 4.5, 95% CI = 1.8-18.6) were independent risk factors for the condition under study. We failed to demonstrate an association between partial epilepsy and previously suggested perinatal risk factors.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study further support the hypothesis of a genetic propensity for seizures, which may be expressed early by the occurrence of febrile convulsions.
Sezione di Clinica Neurologica, Dipartimento di Discipline Medico-Chirurgiche della Comunicazione e del Comportamento, Università degli Studi di Ferrara, Ferrara, Italia. ilaria.asetta@libero.it
Ilaria
I
Casetta
Vinenza C
VC
Monetti
Susanna
S
Malagù
Ezio
E
Paolino
Vittorio
V
Govoni
Enrico
E
Fainardi
Maria R
MR
Tola
Enrico
E
Granieri
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010375:Pedigree; D011247:Pregnancy; D011297:Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D003294:Seizures, Febrile / Q000150:complications