Late-life absence status epilepticus: a female disorder?

Epileptic Disord. 2008 Jun;10(2):156-61. doi: 10.1684/epd.2008.0186.

Abstract

We report on three women and a review of the literature on absence status epilepticus over the age of 50 years. Our aim was to characterize the male-female ratio in this condition. Out of 16 studies on absence status epilepticus over the age of 50, including our cases, a female dominance was found in 15. We found altogether, 104 (71%) females and 42 (29%) males. This gender difference is highly significant (p < 0.00001). We conclude that absence status epilepticus over the age of 50 is predominantly a female disorder.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Age of Onset
  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Electroencephalography
  • Epilepsy, Absence / epidemiology
  • Epilepsy, Absence / pathology
  • Epilepsy, Absence / physiopathology*
  • Epilepsy, Generalized / epidemiology
  • Epilepsy, Generalized / pathology
  • Epilepsy, Generalized / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Middle Aged
  • Sex Factors
  • Status Epilepticus / epidemiology
  • Status Epilepticus / pathology
  • Status Epilepticus / physiopathology*

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants