title: Poststroke epilepsy: occurrence and predictors--a long-term prospective controlled study (Akershus Stroke Study).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aims of the study were to assess the occurrence of poststroke epilepsy (PSE) in patients with ischemic strokes, to identify predictors, and to investigate whether treatment in a stroke unit (SU) influenced the long-term outcomes of epilepsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients with PSE, defined as those having two ore more unprovoked epileptic seizures > or = 1 week after an ischemic stroke, were identified from a cohort of 484 patients with ischemic strokes. The patients were prospectively assessed 7-8 years after stroke or until death. Different variables were studied to look for possible predictors.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From 484 patients with ischemic strokes, PSE developed in 12 (2.5%) and 15 (3.1%) patients during the first year and 7-8 years after stroke, respectively. Eight (53%) of these patients were treated in a stroke unit (SU), and seven (47%) were treated in a general medical ward (GMW). The mean age of those who developed PSE and those who did not was 74.3 years and 76.3 years, respectively. In a multivariate analysis, a Scandinavian Stroke Scale (SSS) score < 30 on admission was a significant predictor for developing PSE [odds ratio (OR), 4.9; p = 0.004).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of PSE, 7 to 8 years after an ischemic stroke, was 3.1%. SSS scores < 30 on admission were a significant predictor for PSE. Neither treatment in SU versus GMW, cortical location, nor age at onset of stroke seemed to influence the risk of developing PSE.
authors.affiliation: National Centre for Epilepsy, Sandvika, Norway. morten.lossius@epilepsy.no
authors.forename: Morten I
authors.initials: MI
authors.lastname: Lossius
authors.forename: Ole M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Rønning
authors.forename: Geir D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Slapø
authors.forename: Petter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Mowinckel
authors.forename: Leif
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Gjerstad
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002545:Brain Ischemia / Q000150:complications*; D002423:Cause of Death; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006757:Hospital Units; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D015995:Prevalence; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D020521:Stroke / Q000150:complications* / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants