Öz
Objective: To investigate autonomic symptoms in different types of epilepsy in comparison to
control subjects. To observe whether autonomic symptoms cause possible morbidity and
mortality and to make a preliminary remedy
Patients and Methods: A retrospective chart review was conducted for 28 patients diagnosed
with epilepsy including 18 patients with complex partial epilepsy (CPE) and 10 patients with
primary generalized epilepsy (PJE). Their autonomic symptoms were assessed using the
COMPASS-31 questionnaire in comparison to a control group of 18 subjects.
Results: No statistically significant differences were found in autonomic dysfunction symptoms
between patients with CPE and patients with PJE. However, constipation and insomnia which
autonomic symptoms were statistically significantly more common in epileptic patients
compared to the control group.
Conclusions: It is important to recognize and watch out for symptoms of autonomic dysfunction
in patients with epilepsy. We believe that awareness for these symptoms is essential both to
reduce associated disability and develop specific treatment strategies and to predict sudden
unexpected death in epileptic patients.