Patients with late onset psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES): How do they compare to those with younger onset?

ObjectiveTo determine whether patients who experienced their first psychogenic non-epileptic seizure (PNES) at 50 years or older differed from those developed PNES a younger age, in terms of demographic, social/clinical as well psychological measures.BackgroundThe typical age for onset is roughly between 20 and 40 age. Only handful studies have examined samples with an therefore information about these individuals limited.MethodsThis retrospective study 75 consecutive (video EEG-confirmed diagnosis) before 55 more. Patients were on demographics (age, education, working relationship status), clinical (seizure frequency, trauma type: sexual, multiple trauma, health-related traumatic experiences), self-report measures(Coping Inventory Stressful Situations, Toronto Alexithymia Scale, the Quality Life Epilepsy-31).ResultsPatients had sexual likelier to develop earlier Those “health problems pre-PNES onset” On measures, it was noted that after adjusting covariate effects, elevations Avoidance (CISS) QOLIE31 cognitive complaints be cohort.ConclusionsNo matter what presented, reported markedly high rates exposure (single multiple), similarly elevated unemployment low quality life. The groups different type prior development PNES. In addition, group demonstrated significantly higher use avoidance stress-coping strategy.