Epilepsy in elderly patients: does age of onset make a difference?

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Geriatrics
• Epidemiology

Background:

• Epilepsy prevalence increases with an aging population.
• Epilepsy characteristics and management differ across age groups.
• Understanding late-onset epilepsy is crucial for effective healthcare.

Purpose of the Study:

• Compare epilepsy in patients diagnosed before and after 65 years.
• Analyze epilepsy characteristics and comorbidities in older adults.
• Identify factors associated with late-onset epilepsy.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective observational study.
• Compared two groups: epilepsy diagnosed <65 years (Group A) and ≥65 years (Group B).
• Analyzed aetiology, comorbidities, and treatment in 123 patients.

Main Results:

• Vascular causes were predominant in late-onset epilepsy (74.2%).
• Higher stroke history (51.6%), cognitive impairment, and psychiatric disorders in Group B.
• Late-onset epilepsy patients required fewer antiepileptic drugs at lower doses.

Conclusions:

• Late-onset epilepsy (≥65 years) is strongly associated with cardiovascular risk factors.
• Older adults with epilepsy may need reduced antiepileptic drug dosages.
• Status epilepticus can be an initial presentation of epilepsy in the elderly.