Epilepsy trigger factors in Saudi Arabia: A missing part of the puzzle

Authors

• Foziah J. Alshamrani, From the Neurology Department (Alshamrani, Alshurem), College of Medicine Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, King Fahad University Hospital and from the Neurology Department (Almuaigel, AlMohish), King Fahad University Hospital, Al Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Mohammed A. Alshurem, From the Neurology Department (Alshamrani, Alshurem), College of Medicine Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, King Fahad University Hospital and from the Neurology Department (Almuaigel, AlMohish), King Fahad University Hospital, Al Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Mohammed F. Almuaigel, From the Neurology Department (Alshamrani, Alshurem), College of Medicine Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, King Fahad University Hospital and from the Neurology Department (Almuaigel, AlMohish), King Fahad University Hospital, Al Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
• Noor M. AlMohish, From the Neurology Department (Alshamrani, Alshurem), College of Medicine Imam Abdulrahman Bin Faisal University, King Fahad University Hospital and from the Neurology Department (Almuaigel, AlMohish), King Fahad University Hospital, Al Khobar, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Objectives: To identify epilepsy triggers prevalent in Saudi Arabia with a view to seizure prevention or achieving a reduction in their frequency. Methods: This is part of a cross-sectional study carried out in 2020 in a Saudi population in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). We used an online questionnaire to evaluate the most common seizure trigger factors. Results: A total of 546 Saudi patients with epilepsy participated in the study, of which 289 (53%) were women. Of them, 263 (48.1%) had no seizure in the previous 3 months. One hundred and thirty-six (25%) had a family member with epilepsy. The most-reported trigger factor was sleep deprivation reported by 285 (52%), followed by stress 225 (41%), missed medication 210 (38.5%), anxiety 209 (38.3%), and fatigue 184 (33.7%). Conclusions: Sleep deprivation is the most reported trigger factor for seizures in the KSA, followed by stress, followed by missed medication.

Article Type

Research Article

First Page

828

Last Page

833

Recommended Citation

Alshamrani, Foziah J.; Alshurem, Mohammed A.; Almuaigel, Mohammed F.; and AlMohish, Noor M. (2020) "Epilepsy trigger factors in Saudi Arabia: A missing part of the puzzle," Saudi Medical Journal: Vol. 41: Iss. 8, Article 8.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15537/smj.2020.8.25220