Abnormal Vasomotor System Function in Idiopathic Generalized Epileptic Patients

Mehdi Maghbooli; Mehran Khesali Langroudi; Abdoreza Ghoreishi; Zari Shajari

doi:10.4274/tnd.67699

Mehdi Maghbooli¹, Mehran Khesali Langroudi¹, Abdoreza Ghoreishi¹, Zari Shajari²

¹Department Of Neurology, Zanjan University Of Medical Sciences, Zanjan,iran
²Metabolic Disease Research Center, Zanjan University Of Medical Sciences,zanjn, Iran

Keywords: Idiopathic epilepsy, vasomotor system, hand-grip, cold pressor, mental arithmetic, Valsalva maneuver

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Autonomic dysfunction is widely recognized in both partial and generalized epilepsies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the vasomotor response in patients with generalized idiopathic epilepsy by the clinical autonomic function tests.

METHODS: 124 consecutive subjects including 62 idiopathic generalized epileptic patients diagnosed for more than 3 months receiving monotherapy and 62 matched for sex and age healthy controls were assessed in this case-control study. The evaluation of the vasomotor system was made using a questionnaire and autonomic function tests including Cold pressor, Valsalva maneuver, mental arithmetic and hand-grip tests.

RESULTS: Abnormal score of the Cold pressor test was seen in 59.7%, Valsalva maneuver in 64.5% and 33.9% in mental arithmetic test of epileptic patients. These results were different significantly in comparison to control group. If abnormal hand grip test was defined as an increase less than 11 mmHg in diastolic pressure, there was found no significant difference between two groups of case and control, also a few people in control group was reported normal. While defining abnormal test was interpreted by increase in only one parameter or none of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure or heart rate, 43.5% in case group versus 14.5% in controls had abnormal results with significantly difference.

CONCLUSION: Vasomotor dysfunction evaluated by cardiovascular tests was present commonly in the patients with generalized epilepsy. Further confirmation requires detailed reviewing of central and peripheral limbs to the breakdown of the system to be felt.