Abstract
Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) are frequently encountered in epilepsy monitoring units (EMU) at Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs) and cause significant long-term disability. An understanding of psychiatric factors associated with PNES could aid in earlier diagnosis and treatment. We studied 50 consecutive veterans diagnosed with PNES and 37 veterans diagnosed with epileptic seizures (ES), evaluated at a VAMC EMU. We reviewed all available mental health evaluations prior to EMU evaluation. Univariate comparisons included axis I diagnoses, axis II diagnoses, and psychiatric hospitalizations. Predictive models of seizure classification were evaluated by logistic regression. A diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) preceded the diagnosis of PNES in 58% of patients and the diagnosis of ES in 13.5% (p <0.001). On logistic regression, PTSD was the only significant psychiatric diagnosis (odds ratio 9.2). Major depression and alcohol abuse were common diagnoses but did not differentiate PNES and ES groups.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 345-349 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | Epilepsy and Behavior |
| Volume | 25 |
| Issue number | 3 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Nov 2012 |
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Keywords
- Epilepsy
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Psychogenic seizures
- Veterans
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Clinical Neurology
- Behavioral Neuroscience
- Neurology
Cite this
Psychiatric comorbidity in veterans with psychogenic seizures. / Salinsky, Martin; Evrard, Collette; Storzbach, Daniel; Pugh, Mary Jo.
In: Epilepsy and Behavior, Vol. 25, No. 3, 11.2012, p. 345-349.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Psychiatric comorbidity in veterans with psychogenic seizures
AU - Salinsky, Martin
AU - Evrard, Collette
AU - Storzbach, Daniel
AU - Pugh, Mary Jo
PY - 2012/11
Y1 - 2012/11
N2 - Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) are frequently encountered in epilepsy monitoring units (EMU) at Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs) and cause significant long-term disability. An understanding of psychiatric factors associated with PNES could aid in earlier diagnosis and treatment. We studied 50 consecutive veterans diagnosed with PNES and 37 veterans diagnosed with epileptic seizures (ES), evaluated at a VAMC EMU. We reviewed all available mental health evaluations prior to EMU evaluation. Univariate comparisons included axis I diagnoses, axis II diagnoses, and psychiatric hospitalizations. Predictive models of seizure classification were evaluated by logistic regression. A diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) preceded the diagnosis of PNES in 58% of patients and the diagnosis of ES in 13.5% (p <0.001). On logistic regression, PTSD was the only significant psychiatric diagnosis (odds ratio 9.2). Major depression and alcohol abuse were common diagnoses but did not differentiate PNES and ES groups.
AB - Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) are frequently encountered in epilepsy monitoring units (EMU) at Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMCs) and cause significant long-term disability. An understanding of psychiatric factors associated with PNES could aid in earlier diagnosis and treatment. We studied 50 consecutive veterans diagnosed with PNES and 37 veterans diagnosed with epileptic seizures (ES), evaluated at a VAMC EMU. We reviewed all available mental health evaluations prior to EMU evaluation. Univariate comparisons included axis I diagnoses, axis II diagnoses, and psychiatric hospitalizations. Predictive models of seizure classification were evaluated by logistic regression. A diagnosis of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) preceded the diagnosis of PNES in 58% of patients and the diagnosis of ES in 13.5% (p <0.001). On logistic regression, PTSD was the only significant psychiatric diagnosis (odds ratio 9.2). Major depression and alcohol abuse were common diagnoses but did not differentiate PNES and ES groups.
KW - Epilepsy
KW - Post-traumatic stress disorder
KW - Psychogenic seizures
KW - Veterans
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=84868684621&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/citedby.url?scp=84868684621&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.yebeh.2012.07.013
DO - 10.1016/j.yebeh.2012.07.013
M3 - Article
C2 - 23103308
AN - SCOPUS:84868684621
VL - 25
SP - 345
EP - 349
JO - Epilepsy and Behavior
JF - Epilepsy and Behavior
SN - 1525-5050
IS - 3
ER -