title: Age and gender differences in initial symptoms and precipitant factors of epileptic seizures: an Australian study.
abstract: The aim of this study was to document self-perceived warning signs, initial symptoms, triggers of epileptic seizures, and techniques to control seizures for people with epilepsy and to establish patterns in these self-reported experiences of epilepsy in relation to age and gender. Of 338 questionnaires mailed out to registrants on an epilepsy research database, 225 were anonymously returned (66.6% response rate). The questionnaire contained information regarding demographic characteristics, living with epilepsy, and self-perceived warning signs, initial symptoms, triggers of seizures, and techniques to control seizures. Of 225 participants, 86.6% reported at least one symptom prior to a seizure, and 69.8% indicated that they had tried at least one technique to stop a seizure. Younger participants were more likely to report some of the symptoms, triggers, and techniques, compared with older participants, and there was a gender difference on some of the triggers.
authors.affiliation: The Epilepsy Foundation of Victoria, 818 Burke Road, Camberwell, Vic., Australia. jpinikahana@epilepsy.asn.au
authors.forename: Jaya
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Pinikahana
authors.forename: Joanne
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Dono
mesh_terms: D000203:Activities of Daily Living; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000375:Aging; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012648:Self Care; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D013240:Stereotyping; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D055815:Young Adult