Risk of epilepsy in type 1 diabetes mellitus: a population-based cohort study
- 31 March 2016
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in Diabetologia
- Vol. 59 (6), 1196-1203
- https://doi.org/10.1007/s00125-016-3929-0
Abstract
Aims/hypothesis Type 1 diabetes mellitus is a major public health problem of increasing global concern, with potential neurological complications. A possible association exists between type 1 diabetes and subsequent epilepsy. This study evaluated the relationship between type 1 diabetes and epilepsy in Taiwan. Methods Claims data from the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database were used to conduct retrospective cohort analyses. The study cohort contained 2568 patients with type 1 diabetes, each of whom was frequency-matched by sex, urbanisation of residence area and index year with ten patients without type 1 diabetes. Cox proportional hazard regression analysis was conducted to estimate the effects of type 1 diabetes on epilepsy risk. Results In patients with type 1 diabetes, the risk of developing epilepsy was significantly higher than that in patients without type 1 diabetes (p < 0.0001 for logrank test). After adjustment for potential confounders, the type 1 diabetes cohort was 2.84 times as likely to develop epilepsy than the control cohort was (HR 2.84 [95% CI 2.11, 3.83]). Conclusions/interpretation Patients with type 1 diabetes are at an increased risk of developing epilepsy. Metabolic abnormalities of type 1 diabetes, such as hyperglycaemia and hypoglycaemia, may have a damaging effect on the central nervous system and be associated with significant long-term neurological sequelae. The causative factors between type 1 diabetes and the increased risk of epilepsy require further investigation.Keywords
This publication has 36 references indexed in Scilit:
- Population-Level Evidence for an Autoimmune Etiology of EpilepsyJAMA Neurology, 2014
- Comparison of National/Regional Diabetes Guidelines for the Management of Blood Glucose Control in non-Western CountriesDiabetes Therapy, 2013
- Clinical significance of glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies in patients with epilepsyEpilepsia, 2010
- Improvements in cognition, mood and behaviour following commencement of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus: a pilot studyDiabetologia, 2008
- Autoimmune mechanisms in type 1 diabetesAutoimmunity Reviews, 2008
- Comorbidities associated with type 1 diabetes.2006
- An association between type 1 diabetes and idiopathic generalized epilepsyAnnals of Neurology, 2005
- Care of Children and Adolescents With Type 1 DiabetesDiabetes Care, 2005
- Focal epileptic episodes associated with hypoglycemia in children with diabetesClinical Neurology and Neurosurgery, 1995
- Focal neurologic deficits associated with hypoglycemia in children with diabetesThe Journal of Pediatrics, 1990