Epilepsy in adults with learning disabilities

Seizure. 1998 Dec;7(6):473-7. doi: 10.1016/s1059-1311(98)80005-8.

Abstract

Epilepsy is a common problem of adults with learning disabilities. Despite the high prevalence there have been few studies of the epilepsy suffered by adults with learning disabilities. The findings of a Leicestershire study are that multiple seizure types are a common presentation, and that for many (75%) the seizures remain refractory to treatment. Those who suffer tonic-clonic seizures are most likely to achieve remission, whereas for those with simple or complex partial seizures the prognosis is poor. For a significant proportion, status epilepticus, emergency admission to hospital and injuries occur on a regular basis.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Caregivers
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Comorbidity
  • Data Collection
  • Epidemiologic Studies
  • Epilepsy / classification
  • Epilepsy / epidemiology*
  • Epilepsy / mortality
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Learning Disabilities / epidemiology*
  • Learning Disabilities / mortality
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Prevalence
  • Remission, Spontaneous
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Survival Rate
  • United Kingdom / epidemiology