Predictors of seizures in patients with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome.
PURPOSE
Although seizures are common in patients with posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), epilepsy is rare. Our objective was to identify predictors and impact of seizures in patients with PRES.


METHODS
A retrospective review of the clinical and radiological parameters of all patients diagnosed with PRES from 2007 to 2014 was performed. Patients were divided into two groups based on the occurrence of PRES-related seizures at presentation or during their hospital course. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to determine factors associated with the occurrence of PRES-related seizures.


RESULTS
Of 100 patients, 70% experienced at least one seizure from PRES. On univariate analysis, the factors associated with seizures were the following: high Charlson comorbidity index (4.16±2.89 vs. 2.87±2.20, p=0.03), systemic malignancy (41.4% vs. 16.7%, p=0.02), occipital lobe involvement (97.1% vs. 83.3%, p=0.02), more lobes involved (4.6±1.48 vs. 3.9±1.32, p=0.03) but less likely in patients with visual disturbances (15.7% vs. 46.7%, p=0.005), and facial droop (12.9% vs. 16.7%, p=0.002). On multivariate analysis, only occipital lobe involvement was significantly (odds ratio: 9.63, 95% CI: 1.45-64.10, p=0.02) associated with the occurrence of PRES-related seizures. Despite the occurrence of seizures, they were less likely to require a nursing home placement upon hospital discharge (odds ratio: 0.17, 95% CI: 0.03-0.91, p=0.04).


CONCLUSION
We conclude that seizures are common in patients with occipital lobe involvement from PRES.
['Hinduja|Archana|A|', 'Habetz|Kenneth|K|', 'Raina|Sunil Kumar|SK|', 'Fitzgerald|Ryan T|RT|', 'Sahaya|Kinshuk|K|']
D000328:Adult D005260:Female D006801:Humans D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D009778:Occipital Lobe D054038:Posterior Leukoencephalopathy Syndrome D011379:Prognosis D012189:Retrospective Studies D012640:Seizures
Seizures Posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome Hypertensive encephalopathy