Background The aim of this study was to have a better understanding of the influence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in people with epilepsy (PWE) and to assess whether there have been changes in seizure control during the current COVID-19 outbreak, exploring the possible causes thereof. Methods This is an observational, retrospective study based on prospective data collection of 100 successive patients who attended an epilepsy outpatient clinic either face-to-face or telephonically during the months of the COVID-19 outbreak and national state of emergency. Results One hundred patients were included, 52% women, mean age 42.4 years. During the COVID-19 period, 27% of the patients presented an increase of >50% of seizure frequency. An increase of stress/anxiety (odds ratios (OR): 5.78; p = 0.008) and a prior higher seizure frequency (OR: 12.4; p = 0.001) were associated with worsening of seizures. Other risk factors were exacerbation of depression, sleep deprivation, less physical activity, and history of epilepsy surgery. Three patients had status epilepticus (SE) and one a cluster of seizures. Likewise, 9% of patients improved their seizure control. Reduction in stress/anxiety (OR: 0.05; p = 0.03) and recent adjustment of antiepileptics (OR: 0.07; p = 0.01) acted as protecting factors. Conclusions A high proportion of PWE suffered a significant worsening of their seizure control during the months of the COVID-19 pandemic. Emotional distress due to home confinement was the main factor for the change in seizure control. Promoting physical activity and adequate sleep may minimize the potential impact of the pandemic in PWE. Ensuring correct follow-up can prevent decompensation in those PWE at high risk.

中文翻译：

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COVID-19 暴发对癫痫患者的影响：西班牙人口分析（EPICOVID 登记处）

背景 本研究的目的是更好地了解 2019 年冠状病毒病 (COVID-19) 大流行对癫痫 (PWE) 患者的影响，并评估当前 COVID-19 期间癫痫发作控制是否发生变化爆发，探索可能的原因。方法 这是一项观察性、回顾性研究，基于对 100 名连续患者的前瞻性数据收集，这些患者在 COVID-19 爆发和国家紧急状态期间通过面对面或电话就诊于癫痫门诊。结果共纳入100例患者，52%为女性，平均年龄42.4岁。在 COVID-19 期间，27% 的患者癫痫发作频率增加了 50% 以上。压力/焦虑增加（比值比 (OR)：5.78；p = 0。008）和先前较高的癫痫发作频率（OR：12.4；p = 0.001）与癫痫发作恶化相关。其他危险因素包括抑郁症加重、睡眠不足、体力活动减少和癫痫手术史。三名患者有癫痫持续状态 (SE)，一名患者有癫痫发作。同样，9% 的患者改善了他们的癫痫发作控制。减轻压力/焦虑（OR：0.05；p = 0.03）和最近调整抗癫痫药（OR：0.07；p = 0.01）起到保护因素的作用。结论 在 COVID-19 大流行的几个月中，很大一部分 PWE 的癫痫发作控制显着恶化。由于家庭监禁引起的情绪困扰是癫痫控制发生变化的主要因素。促进体育锻炼和充足的睡眠可以最大限度地减少大流行对 PWE 的潜在影响。