Zusammenfassung
Epilepsie ist eine der häufigsten chronisch-neurologischen Erkrankungen, deren Prävalenz mit dem Alter zunimmt. Eine erschwerte Diagnosestellung in späten Lebensjahren aufgrund einer veränderten, blanden Semiologie und Komorbiditäten führt wahrscheinlich zur regelhaften Unterdiagnostizierung in dieser Altersgruppe. Die Wahrscheinlichkeit für das Auftreten von anfallsbedingten Verletzungen und Unfällen nimmt mit dem Patientenalter zu. Risikofaktoren sind häufige Anfälle mit Stürzen und Bewusstseinsverlust. Viele ältere Patienten mit Epilepsie werden durch den Hausarzt betreut und mit älteren Antikonvulsiva behandelt. Daher sind die direkten Krankheitskosten im ambulanten Bereich häufig geringer als bei jüngeren Patienten. Die sozialen Folgen der Altersepilepsie können erheblich sein und eine starke Einschränkung der Mobilität bis zur Aufgabe eines selbstständigen Wohnens zur Folge haben.
Abstract
Epilepsy is one of the most frequent chronic diseases of the central nervous system. Although its prevalence increases with age the diagnosis in later life is made difficult by an altered semiology and comorbidities that probably result in a constant underdiagnosis among elderly individuals. The likelihood of seizure-related injuries and accidents increases with age. Risk factors include frequent seizures with falls and loss of consciousness. Many elderly epilepsy patients are seen by family physicians and treated with older anticonvulsants; therefore, direct costs of illness tend to be lower compared to younger patients. The social consequences of epilepsy in the elderly can be substantial, may lead to severe restrictions of mobility and can result in loss of self-sufficient living.
Abbreviations
- SE:
-
Status epilepticus
- SUDEP:
-
„sudden unexpected death in epilepsy“ (plötzlicher unerwarteter Tod bei Epilepsie)
- TLE:
-
Temporallappenepilepsie
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Einhaltung ethischer Richtlinien
Interessenkonflikt. H.M. Hamer: Redner- und/oder Beratungshonorare von Cerbomed, Eisai, Cyberonics, Desitin, GSK, Neuro-Consil, Pfizer, Thieme, Novartis, UCB. J.D. Lang gibt an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht. Dieser Beitrag enthält keine Studien an Menschen oder Tieren.
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Lang, J., Hamer, H. Versorgungsmedizinische Aspekte der Epilepsien des höheren Lebensalters. Z. Epileptol. 27, 272–275 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10309-014-0400-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10309-014-0400-4