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. |
