Epilepsy and associated factors in elderly people of Amirkola, North of Iran (The Amirkola Health and Ageing Project)

BACKGROUND: Knowledge about the associated factors with epilepsy in the elderly in Iran is limited. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of epilepsy and associated factors in Amirkola elderly patients. METHODS: This cross-sectional study is a part of a comprehensive and cohort research of "The Amirkola Health and Ageing Project". The Mini-mental State Examination was used for cognitive impairment, Geriatric Depression Scale for psychiatric diseases and the Physical Activity Scale for Elderly questionnaire for physical activity. RESULTS: The prevalence of epilepsy was 35 from 1482 participants (24/1000). The significant association between Parkinson’s Disease (OR=6.25, 95%CI=1.35-28.4, P=0.001), falls (OR= 3.81, 95%CI=1.62-8.97, P=0.001), depression (P=0.001), hyperphosphatemia (P=0.039) and hypokalemia (P= 0.031) concluded with epilepsy. Past history of stroke (6 % versus 2%, OR= 2.8, 95%CI, 0.97-8.27, P=0.07), increased serum level of triglyceride (OR= 1.96, 95%CI= 0.99-3.88, P=0.06) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) (P=0. 45) were seen in epileptic patients vs. non-epileptic patients. CONCLUSION: Parkinson's disease, frequency of falls and depression were the associated factors in epileptic patients and a correlation between past history of stroke, increased serum level of triglyceride and LDL with epilepsy were seen. Associated factors required screening, diagnosis and treatment.