Family study of epilepsy in first degree relatives

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Genetic factors play a role in the aetiology of epilepsies. This study was designed to evaluate the family history of epilepsy in the first degree relatives of probands with epilepsy. METHODS: A sample of 434 patients with epilepsy attending the Neurology Clinics of the North Colombo Teaching Hospital was interviewed by two medical officers using a standard questionnaire during a period of three months starting August 2004. Type, and cause of epilepsy, and whether or not any of their family members had seizures were recorded. RESULTS: Of the 434 patients 237 were females and 198 were males. The mean age was 28 years (SD 14). 404 patients (93.7%) had idiopathic epilepsy. 57 (13%) patients had a family history of epilepsy and their mean age of onset was 15.9 years (SD 11.7). Of them 56 were having idiopathic epilepsy. First degree relatives affected were arents~30, siblings-25 and offspring-1. Seventeen probands gave a history of consanguinity in the parents and of the ones with a family history of epilepsy only one proband had parental consanguinity. Five patients had more than one family member affected. CONCLUSIONS: A family history of 13% is significantly high when compared with normal population figures of around 5 to 8 per 1000. This provides strong evidence that in our population also genetic factors play an important part in the aetiology of epilepsy.