Abnormal Vasomotor System Function in Idiopathic Generalized Epileptic Patients

Objective: Autonomic dysfunction is widely recognized in both partial and generalized epilepsies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the vasomotor response in patients with generalized idiopathic epilepsy using clinical autonomic function tests. Materials and Methods: Hundred and twenty-four consecutive subjects including 62 idiopathic generalized epileptic patients diagnosed for more than 3 months receiving monotherapy and 62 matched for sex and age healthy controls were assessed in this case-control study. The evaluation of the vasomotor system was made using a questionnaire and autonomic function tests including cold pressor, Valsalva maneuver, mental arithmetic and handgrip tests. Results: Abnormal score of the Cold pressor test was seen in 59.7%, Valsalva maneuver in 64.5% and 33.9% in mental arithmetic test of epileptic patients. These results were different significantly in comparison to control group. If abnormal hand grip test was defined as an increase less than 11 mmHg in diastolic pressure, there was found no significant difference between two groups of case and control, also a few people in control group was reported normal. When abnormality was defined as an increase in only one or none of the parameters of systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure or heart rate, 43.5% in patient group versus 14.5% in controls had abnormal results with statistically significant difference. Conclusion: Vasomotor dysfunction assessed with cardiovascular tests was present in patients with generalized epilepsy. Further research on central and peripheral limbs in association with the breakdown of the system is required.