title: [Influence of meteorological and chronological factors in epilepsy].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The professionals who deal with medical emergencies observe peaks in the incidence of epileptic seizures. Some epileptic patients attribute their seizures to climatic and seasonal changes. AIMS. To analyse the relationship between meteorological, calendar-related and circadian variables and the appearance of epileptic seizures.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective study was conducted in a residential home for persons with intellectual disability.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 16 residents who were studied presented 855 epileptic attacks, including 159 in peaks or clusters, over the period 2009-2012. The predominance of seizures observed in autumn and during the fourth quarter of the year is not significant (p > 0.05). There is no statistically significant relation between the presence of epileptic seizures and the phases of the moon or days of the week. Most epileptic seizures (87.2%) occur during the daytime (p < 0.001). Findings showed that 36.3% occur in the morning between 08:00 and 10:59. There is no statistical correlation between the number of epileptic seizures and the atmospheric pressure, rainfall, degree of humidity or mean temperature (p > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The appearance of peaks or clustering of epileptic seizures was observed. Their presence shows a marked circadian component. The influence of meteorological factors, the phases of the moon and seasons of the year on epilepsy is not significant.
authors.affiliation: Hospital General de Vic, 08500 Vic, Espana.
authors.forename: Jacint
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Altimiras-Roset
authors.forename: Alícia
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brunet-Gómez
authors.forename: Josep  M
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Aragonès
authors.forename: Pere
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Roura-Poch
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000399:Air Pressure; D001071:Appointments and Schedules; D002940:Circadian Rhythm; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006813:Humidity; D007326:Institutionalization; D008607:Intellectual Disability / Q000150:complications; D008297:Male; D008685:Meteorological Concepts; D008875:Middle Aged; D016081:Moon; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012621:Seasons; D013030:Spain / Q000453:epidemiology; D013696:Temperature; D013997:Time Factors; D055815:Young Adult