An international study of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on characteristics of functional seizures

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Ali A. Asadi-Pooya, Shiraz University of Medical Science; Eugen Trinka, Paracelsus Medical University; Coraline Hingray, Pôle universitaire adulte du Grand Nancy; Ahmad Fawaz, IbnSina Hospital; Ioannis Karakis, Emory University; Nirmeen A. Kishk, Cairo University; Mohsen Farazdaghi, Shiraz University of Medical Science; Julia Hoefler, Paracelsus Medical University; Alexis Tarrada, University of Paris; Abdulaziz Ashkanani, New Ahmadi Hospital; Aida Risman, Emory University; Haytham Rizk, Cairo University
• Language: English
• Date: 2022-02-01
• Publisher: ACADEMIC PRESS INC ELSEVIER SCIENCE
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2021 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108530
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: EPILEPSY & BEHAVIOR
• Volume: 127
• Start Page: 108530
• End Page: 108530
• Grant/Funding Information: This work was supported by Shiraz University of Medical Sciences. The funding source had no involvement in study design; in the collection, analysis and interpretation of data; in the writing of the report; and in the decision to submit the article for publication.
• Keywords: Dissociative; PNES; Coronavirus; RISK-FACTORS; Behavioral Sciences; COVID; ETIOLOGY; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; SEMIOLOGY; Seizure; Psychiatry; Clinical Neurology; Neurosciences & Neurology; Science & Technology; PSYCHOGENIC NONEPILEPTIC SEIZURES
• Research Categories: Biology, Neuroscience; Psychology, Clinical; Biology, Virology

Abstract

Objective: We investigated whether the COVID-19 pandemic has affected the clinical characteristics of patients with functional seizure (FS) (at the time of diagnosis) in a large multicenter international study. Methods: This was a retrospective study. We investigated all patients with FS, who were admitted at the epilepsy monitoring units at six centers in the world: 1. Shiraz, Iran; 2. Salzburg, Austria; 3. Nancy, France; 4. Atlanta, USA; 5. Kuwait City, Kuwait; and 6. Cairo, Egypt. Patients were studied during two time periods: admitted in 2018–2019 (pre-COVID era) and 2020–2021 (COVID era). Results: Three hundred and twenty-six patients were studied. Two hundred and twenty-four (68.7%) patients were diagnosed before and 102 (31.3%) persons during the COVID-19 pandemic. Only, a history of family dysfunction was significantly associated with the COVID-19 pandemic era (Odds Ratio: 1.925, 95% Confidence Interval: 1.099–3.371; p = 0.022). A low level of education might also be associated with FS during the COVID-19 pandemic, at least in some cultures (e.g., the Middle-East). Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic has not affected the clinical characteristics of patients with FS (at the time of diagnosis). However, a history of family dysfunction was significantly more frequently associated with FS during the COVID-19 pandemic. Multiagency integration of law enforcement responses, social services, and social awareness is recommended to address family dysfunction and domestic violence and support the victims during this pandemic.