The impact of post-stroke epilepsy on the rehabilitation potential of patients

Aim. To investigate the effect of post-stroke epilepsy on the early recovery period of stroke.

Materials and methods. A total of 265 patients with ischemic stroke experienced epileptic seizures were under integral medical supervision. Three months after the onset of stroke 52.5% of patients had no seizures (of which in 31% post-stroke epilepsy did not develop, in 21.5% seizures were controlled by antiepileptic drugs). In 47.5% of patients, epileptic seizures continued to develop. Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, modified Rankin Scale, Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) test and health status questionnaire SF-36 were applied in 180 patients (90 with and 90 without seizures) two months after the stroke onset in a case-control design.

Results. A significant predominance of an increased level of anxiety and depression, number of patients with signs of disability, the average SF-36 questionnaire lower scores for general health, vitality, social functioning, role emotional and mental health indicators were revealed in patients experiencing seizures compared to patients without seizures.

Conclusion. Thus, the development of post-stroke epilepsy worsens the course of the early recovery period of stroke, functional outcomes and affects the rehabilitation potential and require timely adequate treatment.