Changes in Seizure Frequency and Characteristics During COVID-19 Pandemic: A Hospital-based Study

Abstract

Background: It was found that the novel coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic contributed to changes in the epidemiologic and symptomatic pattern of some neurologic disorders. Objectives: The present study investigated the frequency of seizures and their characteristics from February to August 2020 (the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic) compared to the same period the year before. Materials & Methods: This cross-sectional-analytical study was performed on patients with seizures in Poursina hospital in Guilan province, Iran, between February and August 2020 and the same period the year before. Patients with seizures at the beginning or during hospitalization with at least one seizure in the desired period were included in the study. Results: The increase in seizure frequency during the COVID-19 pandemic versus last year was statistically significant (P=0.014). It also observed a significant difference in seizure etiology (P=0.032), types (P<0.005), and history of seizure (P<0.001). The most prevalent causes of seizures and stroke before and during the COVID-19 pandemic are unknown. The convulsive status epilepticus increased during the COVID-19 pandemic period by 4-fold. Before the pandemic, the patients had a higher prevalence of seizure history. Conclusion: The frequency of seizures, their types, and etiology changed during the COVID-19 pandemic, signifying that COVID-19 can influence on hospital burden of the seizure population.