Comparing Alcohol Related Seizures And Primary Seizures In Terms Of Serum Calcium Levels

Abstract

Background: Alcohol- related seizures are defined as adult onset seizures that prevail in long term alcohol dependence Ethanol can cause hypocalcemia and can lead to seizures. Therefore, this study is to establish the hypocalcemia prevalence in the general convulsive population and to look if there was a threat from hypocalcemia among alcoholics. Aim of the study: To compare alcohol related seizures and non alcoholic primary idiopathic seizures in terms of serum calcium. To study the hypomagnesemia prevalence in hypocalcemic cases in both alcohol related seizures and primary idiopathic seizures. Materials and Methods: This study was a case control study done in 110 patients between November 2020 – October 2021 at ASRAM Medical college, Eluru , Andhra Pradesh. Grounded on former records and past negative neurological history , blood , radiological investigations persons were divided into cases (with alcohol history)and controls(without alcohol history).Serum calcium and magnesium levels were measured in both groups and compared. All the results were tabulated and statistical significance was calculated using pearsons chi square tests. Results: On comparing hypocalcemia persons in both cases and control groups there is no statistically significant difference (p value – 0.24). Hypomagnesemia prevalence among hypocalcemic patients in the case group is significant (p value - 0.03) but not in controls (p value – 0.56) .Conclusion: Hypocalcemia prevalence among alcohol related seizures was linked but not statistically significant while hypomagnesemia prevalence was significant in the hypocalcemic alcoholic cases