Cognitive impairment among patients with idiopathic epilepsy at Jose Reyes Memorial Medical Center.

BACKGROUND:

The association between cognitive impairment and epilepsy has long been recognized in previous literature.  There are rare reports on the contributions of seizure variables such as seizure types, duration and frequency.  This cross-sectional descriptive study aimed to determine the prevalence of cognitive impairment among newly-diagnosed idiopathic epilepsy aged 18 to 55 years old.  Seizure variables were also tested to evaluate their effects on cognitive performances of patients with idiopathic epilepsy.

METHODS:

Consecutive sampling method was employed.  Cognitive functions of 33 patients were assessed using MoCA-P test, a more sensitive bedside cognitive function screening test.

RESULTS:

 The cognitive performances of 48% of the patients with idiopathic epilepsy were impaired.  Cognitively impaired group has higher proportion of patients with generalized type of seizure (75% p=1.0), seizure frequency of 1-3x/week (25%, p=0.398) and a duration of more than one year (62% p=0.169).  However, these are not statistically significant.  This may be attributed to small sample size.  Memory (100%) and language (94%) are the most frequently affected domains among cognitively impaired group.

CONCLUSION

Idiopathic epilepsy is correlated with cognitive dysfunction and that seizure variables seem to negatively affect cognitive performances of patients with idiopathic epilepsy.  An assessment of cognitive function is recommended as part of regular evaluation of patient with epilepsy.