Somatic comorbidity in Polish patients with epilepsy

INTRODUCTION A wide spectrum of somatic and psychiatric disorders occurs frequently in patients with epilepsy, which adds to the burden of this disease. OBJECTIVES The aim of the study was to estimate the prevalence and risk factors of somatic comorbidities and analyze somatic comedication in adult patients with epilepsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS This study involved patients with epilepsy treated in university epilepsy clinic. Data on epilepsy, antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), somatic comorbidities, and their treatment were collected from a structured interview and from medical records. RESULTS The sample population consisted of 636 patients (mean age, 35.3 years); 380 (59.7%) were female and 241 (37.9%) had well‑controlled epilepsy. At least 1 comorbid somatic condition was found in 216 patients (34%). The most prevalent somatic comorbidities were cardiovascular diseases, allergies, migraine, hyperlipidemia, thyroid disorders, and chronic lower respiratory diseases. Furthermore, 200 patients (31.4%) were prescribed at least 1 medication for somatic disorders. Logistic regression analysis revealed several independent risk factors for the occurrence of somatic comorbidities: older age, shorter duration of epilepsy, lower seizure frequency, and lower number of AEDs. CONCLUSIONS Somatic comorbidities and comedication with non‑AEDs were found in one‑third of the relatively young cohort of adult patients with epilepsy. Patients with pharmacoresistant epilepsy may be at risk of underdiagnosis and undertreatment of somatic comorbidities. The presence of comorbidities may have implications for the diagnosis and treatment of seizure disorder and coexisting condition.