Nakken K O, Solaas M H, Kjeldsen M J, Friis M L, Pellock J M, Corey L A
National Centre for Epilepsy, Sandvika, Norway.
Acta Neurol Scand. 2009 Feb;119(2):88-93. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.2008.01069.x. Epub 2008 Jul 13.
Despite several studies, estimates of the frequency with which auras occur in conjunction with epilepsy continue to be imprecise. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence and characteristics of auras in a large population-based epilepsy cohort.
Subjects with verified epilepsy were recruited from population-based twin registries in the USA, Denmark and Norway. Using a structured interview in which a list of auras was provided, subjects were asked about the warning symptoms preceding their epileptic attacks.
31% of the total sample (n = 1897) and 39% of those with active epilepsy (n = 765) had experienced an aura. Six percent reported more than one type. Non-specified auras were most frequently reported (35%), followed by somatosensory (11%) and vertiginous (11%). While the majority of those reporting auras (59%) had focal epilepsies, auras of a mostly non-specific nature were experienced by 13% of those with generalized epilepsies.
Auras serve an important purpose in that they may prevent seizure-related injuries and could provide an indication as to where the seizures originate. The occurrence of auras often is underestimated, especially in children and those with learning disabilities.
尽管已有多项研究，但对于癫痫发作时先兆出现频率的估计仍不准确。本研究的目的是评估一个基于人群的大型癫痫队列中先兆的发生情况及特征。
从美国、丹麦和挪威基于人群的双胞胎登记处招募确诊癫痫患者。通过提供一份先兆列表的结构化访谈，询问受试者癫痫发作前的预警症状。
总样本（n = 1897）中有31%以及活动性癫痫患者（n = 765）中有39%经历过先兆。6%的人报告了不止一种类型。最常报告的是非特异性先兆（35%），其次是躯体感觉先兆（11%）和眩晕先兆（11%）。虽然报告有先兆的大多数人（59%）患有局灶性癫痫，但全身性癫痫患者中有13%经历过大多为非特异性的先兆。
先兆具有重要作用，因为它们可能预防与癫痫发作相关的损伤，并可提示癫痫发作的起源部位。先兆的发生率常常被低估，尤其是在儿童和有学习障碍的人群中。
