Past Trauma Is Associated With a Higher Risk of Experiencing an Epileptic Seizure as Traumatic in Patients With Pharmacoresistant Focal Epilepsy.

The present study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of traumatic experienced seizures (TES) and of postepileptic seizure PTSD (PS-PTSD) in patients with pharmacoresistant focal epilepsy and to explore the determining factors of TES. We conducted an observational study enrolling 107 adult refractory epilepsy patients. We used the DSM-5 criteria of traumatic events and PTSD to define TES and PS-PTSD. We assessed all traumatic life events unrelated to epilepsy, general and specific psychiatric comorbidities, and quality of life. Nearly half ( = 48) of the 107 participants reported at least one TES (44.85%). Among these, one-third ( = 16) developed PS-PTSD. The TES group was more likely to experience traumatic events unrelated to epilepsy ( < 0.001), to have generalized anxiety disorder ( = 0.019), and to have specific psychiatric comorbidities [e.g., interictal dysphoric disorder ( = 0.024) or anticipatory anxiety of seizures ( = 0.005)]. They reported a severe impact of epilepsy on their life ( = 0.01). The determining factors of TES according to the multifactorial model were the experience of trauma ( = 0.008), a history of at least one psychiatric disorder ( = 0.03), and a strong tendency toward dissociation ( = 0.03). Epileptic seizures may be a traumatic experience in some patients who suffer from pharmacoresistant epilepsy and may be the source of the development of PS-PTSD. Previous trauma unrelated to epilepsy and psychiatric history are determining factors of TES. These clinical entities should be explored systematically.