A practical calculator that predicts the risk of epilepsy after venous stroke is presented in a study from the University of Gothenburg and others.
The aim is to improve care for those affected, which are predominantly young adults.
A blood clot in the cerebral venous system (cerebral venous thrombosis) is a rare but important cause of stroke.
In Sweden, around 150 individuals are affected each year, typically affecting women between the ages of 20 and 50.
One in three patients experiences a seizure during the acute phase.
Predicting who is at high or low risk of recurrent seizures, epilepsy, is complicated.
In an international collaboration between fifteen centres across three continents, researchers have developed a practical calculator that quickly calculates the risk of developing epilepsy at the onset of the disease.
First author of the study is Erik Lindgren Bogdanoff, researcher at the Section of Clinical Neurosciences, Sahlgrenska Academy at the University of Gothenburg, and Resident Physician in Neurology at Sahlgrenska University Hospital.
He said: “The calculator predicts the risk of epilepsy based on factors that are already available in clinical routine when the person is hospitalised, there is therefore no need for additional tests or investigations.
“For those affected by sinus thrombosis, it is very important to know what the aftermath looks like.
“Priorly, we have not able to predict what patients have the highest risk of developing epilepsy after cerebral venous thrombosis.”
With a high predicted risk of future seizures, preventive medication can be considered in consultation between doctor and patient.
Erik Lindgren Bogdanoff emphasises that although epilepsy could have negative impact on the quality of life, most people with epilepsy are able to pursue their life normally even with diagnosis of epilepsy.
However, without the proper treatment, seizures can be so severe that they require hospitalisation.
It is hoped that the calculator can be used by physicians worldwide to support treatment decisions or inform patients about risks, and can be used in future studies on preventive treatment with medicine.
