Epilepsy and syphilis: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• Epileptic seizures are an underrecognized manifestation of syphilis.
• Limited clinical awareness exists regarding the connection between epilepsy and syphilis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the prevalence of epileptic seizures in patients diagnosed with syphilis.
• To characterize the clinical presentation and outcomes of syphilis-associated epilepsy.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review and meta-analysis of relevant literature.
• Keywords used: "syphilis and epilepsy" across multiple databases.
• Statistical analysis to identify prevalence and clinical features.

Main Results:

• Prevalence of epilepsy in syphilis patients was estimated at 13.84%.
• Common seizure types included motor and tonic-clonic seizures, with impaired awareness noted in 75% of cases.
• The majority of patients (97.4%) became seizure-free following anti-syphilis therapy.

Conclusions:

• Syphilis is a significant, treatable cause of epilepsy, particularly in middle-aged men.
• Timely diagnosis and treatment of syphilis lead to excellent seizure control.
• Further research is needed to address potential publication bias and diagnostic clarity.