Do atmospheric pressure changes influence seizure occurrence in the epilepsy monitoring unit?
In a prior study of epilepsy and atmospheric pressure, we were able to show a small association between changes in atmospheric pressure and increased seizure frequency in consecutive patients with epilepsy undergoing video telemetry. In this study, we used a larger data set of similar patients undergoing telemetry at another Seattle institution, and examined the possible impact of atmospheric pressure (AP) changes on seizure onset in subtypes of seizures (focal, generalized, and nonepileptic). Comparisons were made between AP score at time of seizure onset and AP score at selected time ranges prior to the event (hour of seizure and 3, 6, and 24 hours prior) and a random sample of AP scores collected over similar time frames using nonparametric testing with correction for multiple comparisons. We could find no evidence to suggest atmospheric pressure changes made seizure occurrence more likely in any of the seizure groups across any of the time periods.
Doherty
M J
MJ
Swedish Epilepsy Center, 550 17th Avenue, Suite 540, Seattle, WA 98122, USA. Michael.doherty@swedish.org
Kim
Wonsuk
W
Youn
C E
CE
Haltiner
A M
AM
Oakley
J C
JC
Drane
D L
DL
Miller
J W
JW
D001274:Atmospheric Pressure; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012640:Seizures / Q000145:classification / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013686:Telemetry; D014861:Washington / Q000453:epidemiology; D014887:Weather