P13-T Epilepsy and sleep disorders: Coexistence in three patients

Abstract

Background The relation of epilepsy and sleep disorders is well-known and complex and the coexistence of these two groups of pathologies is frequent. Sleep can favour the occurrence of epileptic seizures and it can also be the sole triggering factor for epileptic seizures in some types of epilepsies. On the other hand, its known that the occurrence of sleep disorders is more frequent in epileptic patients than in general population. These can be explained by a common pathophysiologic mechanism and can also be exacerbated by some antiepileptic drugs. The clinical diagnosis can be difficult, often underestimated the presence of sleep disorders in epileptic patients. Long-term Monitoring and Polysomnography are essentials exams to perform an adequate diagnosis and treatment in these patients. Material and methods/clinical cases We present three patients with epilepsy and sleep disorders. A 4 years old boy, with focal epilepsy and sleep related rhythmic movements (body rocking/body rolling). A 53 years old woman, with focal epilepsy and catathrenia. A 34 years old man, with cognitive delay and focal epilepsy, OSAS and NREM-related parasomnias (confusional arousals and sleepwalking). Results and conclusions The aim of this work is to highlight the frequent occurrence of sleep disorders in epileptic patients. An elevated suspicion of sleep disorders in epileptic patients is needed to perform an adequate diagnosis and treatment, in order to achieve a better seizures control, especially in refractory epilepsies.