Epilepsy and COVID-19: Updated Evidence and Narrative Review

Abstract The Coronavirus complaint 2019 outbreak started in Wuhan, China, in late 2019 and fleetly spread encyclopaedically. Vaccines have lately been developed and are being administered in some countries, but their widespread use isn't yet sufficient; the battle against COVID-19 is prolonged and people need to acclimatize to living under the influence of this complaint. Epilepsy is a common habitual neurological condition characterized by a robotic rush of unprovoked seizures. The colourful goods of COVID-19 on epilepsy have been studied in recent months. As clinicians, we need to keep up with diurnal updates in the substantiation regarding the relations between COVID-19 and epilepsy. This review composition summarizes the current substantiation. Prospective studies on epilepsy and COVID-19 remain lacking. The utmost composition has comprised case reports, case series, retrospective studies, and recommendations and opinions that don't include data. Still, recapitulating these papers can identify the demands for exploration into COVID-19 and epilepsy by clarifying what's known and what remains unclear from current exploration [3].[1] Ghelichi L, Ghassemzadeh H, Ghadiri-Azerkan K, et al. Epilepsy in patients with COVID-19: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Seizure. 2021; 87: 147-156. doi: 10.1016/ j.seizure 2021.03.008 [2] Garg RK, Paliwal VK, Gupta A. Encephalopathy in patients with COVID-19: A review. Journal of Medical Virology. 2021 Jan;93(1):206-22. doi: 10.1002/jmv. 26441. [3] Kotan, D., Gunes, H.N., Metin, B. and Ucler, S.,2021. Epilepsy and COVID-19: a comprehensive review. Journal of Epilepsy Research, 11(1), pp.1-11. doi:10.14581/jer.21001 [4] American Clinical Neurophysiology Society. ACNS Guidance on Provision of Neurophysiologic Monitoring Services During the COVID-19 Pandemic. Version 1.1. April 7, 2020. Accessed April 28, 2023. [5] Asadi-Pooya AA, Simani L. Central nervous system manifestations of COVID-19: A systematic review. Journal of the Neurological Sciences. 2020 Jul 15; 413:116832. doi: 10.1016/j.jns.2020.116832. [6] Tsai MS, Tsai CY, Chen CH, et al. Comorbidity of epilepsy and COVID-19: a population-based cross-sectional study. J Neurol. 2021;268(7):2268-2276. doi: 10.1007/s00415-021-10557-6. PMID: 33595861. [7] Kuroda N. Epilepsy and COVID-19: Associations and important considerations. Epilepsy & Behavior. 2020 Oct; 112:107298. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107298. [8] Fadakar N, Ghaemmaghami S, Masoompour SM, Shirafkan H, Zarei M, Taghdir M, et al. Neurological manifestations of COVID-19: a systematic review and meta-analysis of proportions. Neurol Sci. 2021 Mar;42(4):1165-1183. doi 10.1007/s10072-021-0514 9-9. [9] Sohal S, Mossammat M, Kaur H, Kaur I, Kaur G, Kaur H, et al. COVID-19: A systematic review of the potential involvement of the nervous system. Journal of Neurology. 2021 Mar;268(3):830-848. doi 10.1007/s00415-020-10124-0. [10] Pettit NN, MacKenzie EL, Ridgway JP, Pursell K, Ash D, Patel B, et al. A cross-sectional analysis of clinical practice patterns during the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2021 Jan 19;72(2):e187-e192. doi: 10.1093/cid/ciaa935. [11] Hamiwka LD, Hamiwka LA, Kay L, D'Agostino J, Singh N. Telemedicine and epilepsy: A systematic review of quality-of-life and satisfaction outcomes, patient and provider communication, and cost-effectiveness. Epilepsia Open. 2020 Sep;5(3):318-332. doi 10.1002/ epi4.12402. [12] Sveinsson O, Andersson T, Mattsson T, Carlsson S, Tomson T. Antiepileptic drug treatment during the COVID-19 pandemic. Acta Neurologica Scandinavica. 2021 Jan;143(1):36-43. doi: 10.1111/ane. 13305. [13] Pinto A, Rizzo R, Di Maro V, De Liso P, Cecere A, Attanasio G, et al. Modified Atkins diet during the COVID-19 pandemic: Experience from an Italian tertiary centre. Epilepsy Behav. 2020 Oct; 112:107366. doi: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107366. [14] Guerin V, Lepine A, Richard MA, Etienne N, Belot A, Dulery R, et al. Use of immunotherapy in patients with epilepsy during the COVID-19 pandemic: A French nationwide multicenter study. Epilepsia. 2021 Mar;62(3): e36-e42. doi 10.1111/epi.16722. [15] Tang V, Valente K, Coelho SG, Dowling G, Nei M. Mental health and epilepsy: A review of the literature. Epilepsy Behav. 2021 Jan; 114:107535. doi: 10.1016/j. yebeh.2020.107535. [16] French JA, Brodie MJ, Caraballo R, et al. Acute symptomatic seizures. Epilepsia. 2015;56(5): e41-e74. doi 10.1111/epi.12960. PMID: 2591661