Barzilai University Medical Center

43 Research Day 2020 Barzilai University Medical Center 25 THE EFFECT OF EXPOSURE OF CIVILIANS TO MILITARY STRESS ON SEIZURE FREQUENCY IN PATIENTS WITH EPILEPSY- LESSON LEARNED FROM OPERATION "PROTECTIVE EDGE " Galina Kotlyar, Anna Gelfand, Ron Milo, Shmuel Appel Department of Neurology, Barzilai University Medical Center, Ashkelon Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva Background Military conflicts involving civilians are associated with high levels of stress. Previous studies on the effect of stress on epileptic seizure are contradicting. Understanding these effects in specific populations may assist in preparing before, copping during and managing patients after the conflict. Hypothesis Seizure frequency may increase during military conflict. Objectives To examine the seizure frequency in a civilian population of patients with seizures followed at the Barzilai University Medical Center during the military conflict of "Protective Edge" Methods We retrospectively analyzed patients with epilepsy who were seen at the epilepsy clinic of Barzilai University Medical Center before, during and after “Protective Edge” operation in summer 2014. Data collected included age, gender, type of seizures, diagnosis, medications, medical history, imaging findings, EEG results and seizures frequency before, during and after the operation. The study was approved by the Institutional Ethical Board. Results Sixty-three (35 men, 55%) patients were included in the study. No significant change in seizure frequency was seen in most patients. Mean frequency of seizures was one/3 months during the military operation, not significantly different from seizure frequency before and after the period of conflict. Demographic data, disease duration, findings on MRI or EEG, drug therapy or distance from the Gaza Strip were not associated with change in seizure frequency. However, an increased seizure frequency during the period of military conflict was found in patients with Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Seizures (PNES) compared with patients with epileptic seizures (p = 0.04, Fisher’s exact test). Conclusions Our study did not show any significant change in seizure frequency during a period of military conflict in most patients with epilepsy. However, the frequency of spells increased in patients with PNES during this period.