title: Cannabis and other illicit drug use in epilepsy patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study aimed to assess the prevalence of illicit drug use among epilepsy patients and its effects on the disease.
  
  
  METHODS
  We systematically interviewed epilepsy outpatients at a tertiary epilepsy clinic. Predictors for active cannabis use were analysed with a logistic regression model.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Overall, 310 subjects were enrolled; 63 (20.3%) reported consuming cannabis after epilepsy was diagnosed, and 16 (5.2%) used other illicit drugs. Active cannabis use was predicted by sex (male) [odds ratio (OR) 5.342, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.416-20.153] and age (OR 0.956, 95% CI 0.919-0.994). Cannabis consumption mostly did not affect epilepsy (84.1%). Seizure worsening was observed with frequent illicit (non-cannabis) drug use in 80% of cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cannabis use does not seem to affect epilepsy; however, frequent use of other drugs increases seizure risk.
authors: Department of Neurology, Charité-University Hospital Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Hamerle
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Ghaeni
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Kowski
authors: F
authors: F
authors: Weissinger
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Holtkamp
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D055030:Drug Users / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004827:Epilepsy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D013287:Illicit Drugs; D008297:Male; D008385:Marijuana Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D015995:Prevalence
chemical_list: D013287:Illicit Drugs
keywords: amphetamines; cocaine; epidemiology; epilepsy; epileptic seizures; illicit drugs; marijuana