Table 1.
Patient demographics and baseline characteristics
| Characteristics | Cases (N=43) | Controls (N=43) | p value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Age, year | |||
| Median (IQR) | 38 (30-45) | 39 (28-43) | 0.7623 |
| Sex, n (%) | |||
| Female | 13 (30.23) | 13 (30.23) | > 0.99 |
| Duration of epilepsy, y | |||
| Median (IQR) | 25 (12-37) | 9 (4-23) | < 0.0001 |
| Type of epilepsy, n (%) | 0.757 | ||
| Focal | 32 (74.41) | 34 (79.06) | |
| Multifocal | 6 (13.95) | 3 (6.97) | |
| Generalized | 3 (6.97) | 4 (9.30) | |
| Focal + generalized | 1 (2.32) | 0 (0) | |
| Unclear | 1 (2.32) | 2 (4.65) | |
| Putative epileptogenic zone, n (%) | 0.055 | ||
| Temporal | 15 (34.88) | 22 (51.16) | |
| Extratemporal | 20 (46.51) | 7 (16.27) | |
| Generalized | 3 (6.97) | 4 (9.30) | |
| Temporal + extratemporal | 3 (6.97) | 4 (9.30) | |
| Unclear | 3 (6.97) | 6 (13.95) | |
| History of generalized convulsive seizure, n (%) | 42 (97.67) | 38 (88.37) | 0.20 |
| HCVR slope, L/min/mm Hg | |||
| Median (IQR) | 1.17 (0.57-1.99) | 1.65 (1.26-2.24) | 0.0402 |
| BMI, kg/m2 | |||
| Median (IQR) | 27.4 (24.2-35.2) | 26.9 (23.5-32.6) | 0.4268 |
| Duration of VNS implant, y | |||
| Median (IQR) | 6.0 (1.5-10.0) | NA | NA |
| Stimulation current per day, mA seconds | |||
| Median (IQR) | 203 (49-354) | NA | NA |
| No. of AEDs at HCVR testing, n | |||
| Median (IQR) | 2 (2-3) | 2 (1-2) | 0.0132 |
| No. of AEDs tried lifetime, n | |||
| Median (IQR) | 8 (5-10) | 3 (2-5) | < 0.0001 |
| Use of SSRI/SNRI | |||
| Number (%) | 11 (25.6) | 11 (25.6) | > 0.99 |
| History of OSA | |||
| Number (%) | 6 (14.3) | 8 (19.1) | 0.5582 |
| History of depression, Number (%) | 20 (46.5) | 20 (47.6) | 0.9185 |
Abbreviations: BMI (Body mass index); AED (anti-epileptic drug); SSRI/SNRI (selective serotonergic reuptake inhibitor and serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors); OSA (obstructive sleep apnea); IQR (Interquartile range)
Continuous variables were compared using the Wilcoxon rank-sum test. Categorical variables were compared using Pearson’s chi-square test and Fisher’s exact test as appropriate.
Count outcome variables used Poisson regression.