[Longitudinal study of epilepsies occurring in adults (author's transl)]

In 24% of epileptic patients the first seizure occurred between 19 and 64 years. A longitudinal study was undertaken on data from 152 subjects, ranged according to the international classification. For each group the following parameters were considered: age at onset of the first seizure; familial and individual antecedents; existence and modification in time of epileptogenic factors and of clinical and electrical interictal semiology. It was noted in particular that the occurrence of illness decreased as subjects grew older; that partial epilepsies (about 2/3 of the cases) were more common than generalized ones; that individual antecedents indicating a lesional aetiology were very frequent; that primary generalized epilepsies had a relatively favourable course, contrary to the partial epilepsies (and particularly those with complex semiological seizures). The results are discussed with reference to statistical data in the literature.