Adult-onset psychogenic nonepileptic seizures: A multicenter international study

Purpose The aim of this multicenter international cross-cultural study was to compare clinical variables in a large sample of people with adult-onset psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES). Methods In this retrospective study, we evaluated persons with documented PNES, who were older than 16 years of age at the onset, from four countries (i.e., Iran, Brazil, Venezuela, and Argentina) regarding their age, gender, PNES semiology, and possible predisposing factors. Results We included 389 patients (244 from Iran, 66 from Brazil, 51 from Venezuela, and 28 from Argentina). Age at diagnosis was 32 ± 9 years (range: 17–64 years), and age at the onset of seizures was 27 ± 8 years (range: 17–49 years). There was a female predominance in all countries. The demographic characteristics and factors associated with PNES were similar among the countries. However, there were significant semiological differences among the countries. Conclusion This study corroborates the notion that PNES share more similarities than differences cross-culturally and across international borders. However, the background determined by cultural, ethnic, and religious differences may influence the semiology of PNES. Further cross-cultural studies involving more than two continents may advance our understanding of PNES.Fil: Asadi Pooya, Ali A.. Shiraz University Of Medical Sciences; Irán. Thomas Jefferson University; Estados UnidosFil: Valente, Kette. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Restrepo, Anilu Daza. La Trinidad Medical Center; VenezuelaFil: D`alessio, Luciana. Universidad Nacional Arturo Jauretche. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Alta Complejidad en Red El Cruce Dr. Néstor Carlos Kirchner Samic. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos; ArgentinaFil: Homayoun, Maryam. Shiraz University of Medical Sciences; IránFil: Bahrami, Zahra. Shiraz University Of Medical Sciences; IránFil: Alessi, Rudá. Universidade de Sao Paulo; BrasilFil: Paytan, Angélica Aroni. La Trinidad Medical Center; VenezuelaFil: Kochen, Sara Silvia. Universidad Nacional Arturo Jauretche. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos. Provincia de Buenos Aires. Ministerio de Salud. Hospital Alta Complejidad en Red El Cruce Dr. Néstor Carlos Kirchner Samic. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Unidad Ejecutora de Estudios en Neurociencias y Sistemas Complejos; ArgentinaFil: Myers, Lorna. Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group; Estados UnidosFil: Sawchuk, Tyson. Alberta Children's Hospital; Canadá. University of Nicosia; ChipreFil: Buchhalter, Jeffrey. Alberta Children's Hospital; Canadá. University of Calgary; CanadáFil: Taha, Firas. Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group; Estados UnidosFil: Lazar, Lorraine M.. Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group; Estados UnidosFil: Pick, Susannah. Kings' College London; Reino UnidoFil: Nicholson, Timothy. Kings' College London; Reino Unid