Periodic Limb Movement and Genetic Generalized Epilepsy

Although periodic limb movements are prevalent among patients with epilepsy, the exact relationship between these movements and epilepsy remains elusive. Objective: The aim of this work was to study the periodic limb movements among patients with genetic generalized epilepsy in relation to different clinical characteristics and seizure recurrence. Methods: Sixty individuals participated in this study: thirty of them were newly diagnosed with genetic generalized epilepsy and thirty were healthy individuals. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index questionnaire, and a standard polysomnographic study was conducted to all subjects. All patients then received sodium valproate in therapeutic doses and were followed up for six months. Electroencephalogram (EEG) was done after the follow-up period and seizure recurrence was assessed. Accordingly, patients were classified into three groups according to clinical seizure recurrence and follow-up EEG findings.

Periodic limb movement index and frequency were compared among the patients' groups and were correlated with different clinical characteristics.

Inclusion criteria

• Newly diagnosed with genetic generalized epilepsy according to the ILAE 2010 criteria
• did not previously receive AEDs.
• The clinical seizures were either eyewitnessed by physicians or video-recorded to ensure they were true epileptic seizures.
• At least two unprovoked seizures occurring >24 hours apart

Exclusion criteria

• Patients with pre-existing psychiatric illnesses
• Patients with seizures due to toxic or metabolic causes (including glucose disturbance, uremia, and electrolytes disturbance), infections, or structural causes (such as neoplasms)
• Patients using hypnotic drugs