Features of clinical and therapy in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy: an analysis of 87 cases / 中华神经科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To analyze clinical characteristics of patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy in China. Methods Eighty-seven patients were retrospectively studied in the aspects of family history, febrile seizures, clinical features, EEG, treatment effect. Results There was a female preponderance of incidence. In contrast to the earlier studies we found a high incidence of febrile seizures and a low incidence of family history. myoclonic seizures began at age of ( 13.1?3.4) years. That combined with generalized tonoclonic seizures began at age (14.3?3.8) years. Absence seizures began at age (10.0?3.3) years. The correct diagnosis was delayed at a mean of 2.2 years from onset of the disease. The incidence of abnormal EEG discharge could be enhanced by hyperventilation, photic stimulation and sleep. Sixteen patients who had received carbamazepine or phenytoin were experienced aggravation of seizures. Forty-five patients who received monotherapy with sodium valproate remained seizure-free in a follow-up longer than 0.5 years. Conclusions Failure to recognize JME may result in uncontrolled seizures, and even aggravated of seizures by using antiepilepsy drugs. Effective treatment was achieved with small doses of sodium valproate.