The aetiology of convulsive status epilepticus: A study of 258 cases in Western China

AbstractPurposeTo investigate the characteristics of the aetiologies of convulsive status epilepticus (CSE) in Western China and to identify the relationships of these aetiologies with the prognoses.MethodsConsecutive registration and prospective observation of 258 cases of CSE in the Sichuan Epilepsy Center were performed from 1996 to 2010 to study the aetiology of CSE. The relationships of the aetiologies with the demographics, outcomes and complications of CSE were analysed using a logistic regression model.ResultsThe mean age was 37.6±20.21 years. The majority of the CSE (62.4%) cases were acute symptomatic cases, and the primary cause was central nervous system (CNS) infection (33.7%). Histories of epilepsy were present in 51.9% of the patients. Pre-existing epilepsy occurred due to discontinuation or reduction of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in 31.3% of the CSE patients. Anoxia/poisoning (p<0.05, OR 8.0, 95% CI 1.34–47.77) was an independent predictor of mortality. CNS infections (p<0.001, OR 8.99, 95% CI 3.52–22.92), cerebrovascular diseases (p =0.001, OR 6.75, 95% CI 2.11–21.61) and anoxia/poisoning (p