Epidemiological profile of epileptic seizures related to alcohol withdrawal syndrome

Abstract

Introduction. Alcohol withdrawal syndrome (AWS) can occur in about half of patients with alcohol use disorder who abruptly reduce or cease consumption of this substance. Epileptic seizures are one of the possible manifestations. Objective. Evaluate epidemiological data, clinical characteristics, length of hospital stay and recurrence of emergency medical care between patients with alcohol withdrawal-related epileptic seizures. Method. This is a retrospective observational study, with data collection from medical records of patients treated for epileptic seizures caused by AWS in a public hospital in Minas Gerais within a year. Inferential statistical association between nominal variables was assessed by cross-tabulation with the chi-square test. Results. 45 patients were included in the study. The most prevalent age group was 35 to 45 years (37.7%). In 46.6%, it was described a previous diagnosis of epilepsy. There was an association between the previous diagnosis of epilepsy and the presence of epileptic seizures (p<0.001). The type of seizure was generalized tonic-clonic since the onset in 92% of cases. 78% had seizures up to 48 hours after the last alcohol consumption. The rate of recurrence at the emergency department during the year was 31%. Conclusion. AWS-related epileptic seizures predominantly affect young men and are associated with a high recurrence rate of need of emergency hospital care, being a complex public health problem. These data point to the need to strengthen strategies for primary prevention.