A study of nonepileptic seizures in an Indian population

The goal of this study was to evaluate the background and the clinical profile of nonepileptic seizures (NESs) confirmed by short-term video encephalography (ST-VEEG) recording in an Indian population.

Seventy-one patients with NESs were enrolled. A complete history was taken and the recorded event was reviewed to define the ictal events. Patients were divided into two groups, Group 1 with a paucity of movements and Group 2 with an excess of movement, and results were analyzed.

The mean age was 22.9 (9.6); there were 15 males (21.1%) and 56 females (78.9%). Twenty-four patients (33.8%) were receiving antiepileptic drugs. The majority of the patients (42, 59.1%) were students. All patients were amnesic for the event and were unresponsive during the event. The other characteristics were similar events in 98.6%, hyperventilation in 58 (81.7%). Forty-two patients (59.2%) were in Group 1 and 29 patients (40.8%) were in Group 2.

NES is a disease of the young and can affect the student or professional. A wrong diagnosis can result in inappropriate treatment. Awareness of this entity is critical to ensuring prompt diagnosis and early intervention.