Risk assessment among patients with epilepsy and diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Introduction: The comorbidity of epilepsy and diabetes can be an indication of a genetic predisposition for their emergence. On the other hand, metabolitic impairments in already existing diabetes and its treatment can lead to brain disfunction, which is a basis for the emergence of epileptic seizures, or leads to deterioration of already existing epilepsy. Aim: The aim of the current research is a risk assessment among patients with epilepsy and diabetes, considering some neurologic comorbidities as well as nature of epilepsy progress.
Contingent and methods: The research is clinical, epidemological, and retrospective for a period of ten years. Out of 1 624 patients with epilepsy diagnosis and one or more comorbid diseases, all 87 with epilepsy and diabetes have been included. The methods used include documentary analysis, clinical and laboratory examinations, and statistical methods.
Results: A statistically significant difference (р<0,0001) has been observed in the presence of transient cerebral attacks (17,2%), cerebral stroke (17,2%) and cerebral haemorrhage (3,4%) among patients with diabetes and epilepsy.
There is statistically significal difference (р<0,0001) comparing the higher frequency of epileptic seizures among patients with not well compensated (66,7%) compared to patients with well-compensated diabetes (22,9%).
Conclusion: This research confirms the significance of well-compensated blood glucose values among patients with diabetes and epilepsy for an improved control of the epileptic seizures. Diabetes can affect the frequency of seizures even in the cases where no cerebrovascular disease has not been diagnosed.