Symptoms accompanying epileptic attacks
Nowak, S.
Neurologia i Neurochirurgia Polska 18(3): 223-228
1984
ISSN/ISBN: 0028-3843 PMID: 6438540 Document Number: 241115
The author analysed 124 cases of grand mal seizures in patients aged above 16 years observed for 2 to 15 years finding sporadic tongue or oral mucosa biting in 55.7% of cases, involuntary passing of urine in 49%, simultaneous occurrence of both these signs in 37% defection in 8.1%, ejaculation in 1.6%, conjunctival o cutaneous ecchymoses in 29.8%, and significant traumas in 20.2% (72% of these cases were men). Assuming that these signs occurred as a rule during each attack these per cent proportions were as follows: 17.7%, 15.3%, 9.7%, 2.4%, 0.8%, 10.5% and 2.4% respectively. Most frequently these signs appeared during the first attacks before treatment beginning, during attacks appearing after several years without seizures, after arbitrary stopping of drug taking and as a result of irregular treatment and alcohol drinking. In 14.5% of patients during observation lasting from 10 to 20 years no peri-ictal signs appeared. In a group of young unmarried people these signs were often concealed, while they were exaggerated by a small group applying for disability pension or wanting to have that pension increased. Patients from rural areas seemed to give less attention to these concomitant signs.