OBJECTIVE:

Clinical characteristics and prognosis were assessed in epileptic cases with thyroid hormones abnormalities (THA) or disease.

METHODS:

Fourteen patients (10 females, 4 males; mean age 32.64; range 16 to 70 years) diagnosed as epilepsy according to ILAE 1981 (International League against Epilepsy) classification, were included in this study. The patients were divided into two groups according to the relationship between THA diagnosis and epilepsy. In group 1 (n=6), THA was diagnosed before epilepsy, while in group 2 (n=8); THA was diagnosed after the onset of epilepsy. Neurologic examination, seizure type, type of THA, interictal lectroencephalograms (EEG) were retrospectively reviewed in all patients.

RESULTS:

Primary generalized or partial epilepsy type of seizure were detected in both groups. In the first group, EEG revealed mostly focal abnormalities. Hypothyroidism was detected in five (83.3%) patients from group one, and two (25%) patients from group two. All of the patients in group one, and four of the patients (50%) in group two were treated for THA.

CONCLUSION:

Six patients (42.9%) were seizure free and six (42.9%) had partially controlled seizures following antiepileptic therapy. One patient from each group did not exhibit any improvement in seizure frequency despite antiepileptic and antithyroidal therapy.

Keywords: Epilepsy, thyroid hormones