Correlates of hot water epilepsy in rural south India: a descriptive study

Seizures precipitated by the stimulus of hot water known as 'hot water epilepsy' (HWE) have been commonly reported from South India. The present report outlines certain descriptive epidemiological aspects of 78 cases from two rural satellite clinics of National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Bangalore, India. Geographical clustering was observed in one of the centres. HWE was common in the age group of 26-35 years with a male to female ratio of 3.6:1. The frequency of seizure occurrence was more than 1-4 attacks/month in 89% of cases. Past history of febrile convulsions and family history of HWE was noticed in 27 and 18% of our cases, respectively. The conversion of reflex to nonreflex epilepsy occurred in 30.8% of cases. Population-based epidemiological studies are essential for further understanding of HWE for developing strategies towards prevention and control.