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European Journal of General Medicine
Medical Investigations Society
ISSN: 1304-3897
Vol. 4, No. 4, 2007, pp. 154-160
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Bioline Code: gm07037
Full paper language: English
Document type: Research Article
Document available free of charge
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European Journal of General Medicine, Vol. 4, No. 4, 2007, pp. 154-160
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Methodologic Validity Of Patient's History In Establishing The Diagnosis Of Epileptic Attacks
Koçer, Abdülkadir; Koçer, Emel; Çağrıcı, Sultan & Gözke, Eren
Abstract
Aim:
We tried to determine the specificity and sensitivity of history in the diagnosis of
epileptic seizures in outpatient clinics specialised on epilepsy.
Methods:
Three-hundred and twelve patients presented with a complaint of fit or fainting
were evaluated. Ninety seven patients (40 males, 57 females) with a mean age of 27.89±17.19
years in neurology outpatient clinics were included in Group I and 215 patients (125 males, 87
women) with a mean age of 24.97±15.50 years in outpatient clinics specialized on epilepsy were
included in Group II. Initial diagnoses were compared with definitive diagnoses reached through
detailed investigations. The methodological validity of history in leading to definitive diagnosis
was sought and compared in each group.
Results:
The most frequent epileptic and non-epileptic seizures were generalized tonic-clonic
and psychogenic seizures respectively. The most common ictal finding was unresponsiveness in
both types. The sensitivity and specificity of history in the diagnosis of epileptic seizures were
65.8% and 64.1%, respectively in Group I. The ninety-nine percentage (sensitivity) of epileptic
and 57.1% (selectivity) of nonepileptic cases were diagnosed with medical history in Group II.
Conclusion:
The initial diagnosis of epileptic seizures can be improved by a more carefully
history taking, by administering a seizure-questionnaire, and by evaluating patients at a more
specialized outpatient clinic circumstances.
Keywords
Conversion disorder, epilepsy, psychophysiologic disorders, seizures
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