Diagnostic Factors in Adult Males Following Initial Seizures: A Three-Year Follow-up

Abstract

Seventy-seven navy enlisted men with a mean age of 23.2 years (range 17 to 48) were admitted to the hospital after their first seizure and given a provisional diagnosis of convulsive disorder. The subjects were followed-up for three years to see if reliable predictors of subsequent seizures and diagnosis could be obtained at the first examination. If not readmitted because of a second seizure, each patient was recalled at the end of his first and third year in the study for follow-up examinations. Following a second seizure and readmission to the hospital, 39% were diagnosed as having a convulsive disorder, 18% a psychiatric disorder, and 5% a neurological illness. Thirty-six percent never had a second seizure. Of those experiencing a second seizure, 77% were readmitted during the first year. Three variables were found to be useful predictors of second seizures and final diagnosis: type of seizure (major motor); electroencephalographic classification (spikes with or without slow waves); and presence of post-ictal confusion and disorientation.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
May 25, 1972
Accession Number
AD0753296

Entities

People

  • John J. Ross
  • Jon F. Sassin
  • Laverne C. Johnson
  • Michael T. Long
  • William L. Debolt

Tags

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Brain
  • Classification
  • Convulsive Disorders
  • Diseases And Disorders
  • Epilepsy
  • Flight Decks
  • Health Services
  • Hospitals
  • Medical Personnel
  • Neurobehavioral Manifestations
  • Neurology
  • Personality
  • Ratings
  • Seizures
  • Statistical Analysis

Fields of Study

  • Medicine
  • Psychology

Readers

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