Staff Members - Benha University
psychogenic nonepileptic seizures(PNES): clinical profile and psychiatric comorbidity.
• 2018
Publication Information
Authors
Mohammed Hussein El Sheikh, M.B, B.Ch
Victor Samy Mikhael, professor
Rizk Mohammed Khodair, professor
Hisham Mohammed El Sayed, Assistant professor
Shewikar Tawfik El Bakry, Assistant professor
Keywords
psychogenic nonepiletic seizures, epilepsy, psychiatric disorders
Journal
Not Available
Publisher
Not Available
Volume
Not Available
Issue
Not Available
Pages
Not Available
publication.type
International
Paper Link
Not Available
Supplementary Materials
Not Available
Abstract
Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) account for 10-40% of patients diagnosed
epileptic seizures. Distinguishing between psychogenic nonepileptic seizures and
epileptic one is a very difficult task. Aim of this study is to estimate the presence of
PNES in a previously diagnosed epileptic seizures (ES) by evidence based tools with
detection of psychiatric comorbidity and some related etiological factors. Methodology:
This study included 75 patients referred as epileptics. All patients were subjected to a
detailed neuropsychiatric examination, Present State Examination (PSE), Toronto
Alexithymia Scales (TAS-20), Eysenck Personality Inventory, Middlesex scale, basal
and postictal prolactin level, CT brain, video-records, routine EEG. The comparative
study included: demographic data, seizure semiology, and psychiatric comorbidity.
Results: 20 patients (26.66%) diagnosed as PNES, 52 patients (69.33%) diagnosed as
epilepsy and 3 patients (3.68%) diagnosed as epilepsy plus PNES. Depression (50%),
anxiety (50%), somatoform disorders (30%) and other dissociative disorders (40%) are
the commonest psychiatric comorbidities in PNES. Conclusion: This study shed light
on misdiagnosis of PNES patients and consequences of this problem.
epileptic seizures. Distinguishing between psychogenic nonepileptic seizures and
epileptic one is a very difficult task. Aim of this study is to estimate the presence of
PNES in a previously diagnosed epileptic seizures (ES) by evidence based tools with
detection of psychiatric comorbidity and some related etiological factors. Methodology:
This study included 75 patients referred as epileptics. All patients were subjected to a
detailed neuropsychiatric examination, Present State Examination (PSE), Toronto
Alexithymia Scales (TAS-20), Eysenck Personality Inventory, Middlesex scale, basal
and postictal prolactin level, CT brain, video-records, routine EEG. The comparative
study included: demographic data, seizure semiology, and psychiatric comorbidity.
Results: 20 patients (26.66%) diagnosed as PNES, 52 patients (69.33%) diagnosed as
epilepsy and 3 patients (3.68%) diagnosed as epilepsy plus PNES. Depression (50%),
anxiety (50%), somatoform disorders (30%) and other dissociative disorders (40%) are
the commonest psychiatric comorbidities in PNES. Conclusion: This study shed light
on misdiagnosis of PNES patients and consequences of this problem.