Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Status epilepticus (SE) is one of the most common neurologic emergencies and is associated with significant morbidity and mortality. The underlying cause of SE varies between patients with epilepsy and those presenting without. The aim of this study was to evaluate the epidemiology, risk factors and outcomes of patients presenting with convulsive SE in the emergency department (ED) of a tertiary hospital in Mogadishu. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted between July 2021 and June 2022. The study included both patients with epilepsy and those without epilepsy presenting to the ED with SE. Risk factors and underlying etiologies were evaluated in the patients in both the pediatric group (0-18 years) and adult group (18 years and above). Clinical history, neurologic examinations, neuroimaging, electroencephalography findings, and laboratory investigations were all evaluated. RESULTS: The mean age for pediatric patients was 6 (SD±4.7), while the mean age for adult patients was 38 (SD±10.4). About 33 (36%) of the subjects had previous history of epilepsy, while 59 (64%) presented to the ED with their first seizure. About 80 (87%) had generalized seizure while 12 (13%) had focal seizure. Poor antiepileptic compliance was the most common risk factor for SE 20 (21.7%), followed by CNS infections 14 (15%), and prolonged febrile seizures 7 (7.6%). Poor antiepileptic drug compliance, cerebrovascular disorders, electrolyte imbalance, metabolic conditions, and drug abuse were the most common underlying etiologies of SE in patients older than 18 years. Prolonged febrile seizure, meningitis, encephalitis, systemic infections, and structural brain abnormalities were the most common underlying etiologies of SE in patients younger than 18 years. CONCLUSION: CNS infections, CVDs, metabolic disturbances, electrolyte imbalances, and systemic infections are major etiological risk factors of SE in patients without prior history of epilepsy. Medication adherence was the major etiological risk factor for SE identified in patients with epilepsy.