Abstract

Incorporating Innovative Nanotechnology Epilepsy Treating device in nursing management of adult patients with epilepsy: COVID19 pandemic consideration

Author(s): Ehsan A Yahia

Introduction:

Epilepsy is a disease categorized by a spontaneous repetition of unprovoked seizures,
is one of the most widespread chronic neurological states. the rate of its prevalence is reported to be
0.7–1.0% (Fiest, Sauro, Wiebe, Patten, Kwon & Dykeman, 2017). The Center for Disease Control and
Prevention (CDC) proposes that neurological comorbidities, including epilepsy, could be a risk factor for
COVID-19 (Kuroda, 2020). The concern of the COVID19 pandemic toward patients with epilepsy includes
the fact that frequent seizures would cause malnutrition, and the nutritional status is associated with the
immune system (Crepin, Godet, Chassain, Preux & Desport, 2009). On the other hand, going to emergency
rooms because of increased or uncontrollable seizures could expose the patient to coronavirus.
Therefore, it’s crucial to consider innovative ways to detect and control seizures among these patients.

Aim: The current study consists of two folds; the first fold focuses on the comprehensive assessment
of adult patients with epilepsy. The second fold of the study describes the innovative nanotechnology
epilepsy treating device and suggesting incorporating the proposed device in the nursing management
plan of patients with epilepsy. Design: A descriptive research design was espoused in this study. Methods:
A convenience sample of 150 adult patients with epilepsy was recruited. Data collection was conducted
at the neurology department Kasr Al-Aini University Hospital, and two tools were used to collect the
needed data: Sociodemographic datasheet & Comprehensive assessment sheet. The study’s second
fold is proposed based upon extensive literature review and the results obtained from the study’s
first fold. Results: The majority of the studied subjects, 82%, had epilepsy for more than 5 years up to
10 years. Almost half of the studied subjects, 49.3%, had 3 epileptic attacks the year before the study.
Concerning post-ictal symptoms, 93.3% of the study subjects had headaches or migraines, and 52.9%
experienced it severely. In addition to 86% of the studied sample felt fear and anxiety. The presence
of aura or warning symptoms before seizure attacks (55.3%) of the studied subjects never had any.

Conclusion and recommendation: The current study results highlight the critical issue of having an epileptic
seizure without any warning signs, which encourages the initiation of using the proposed nanotechnology
device to detect the attack before it happens. Incorporating such a device in a nursing management plan can
have a magnificent prognosis of patients with epilepsy regarding control of attacks and prevent post-ictal
devastating symptoms, especially that patients with epilepsy have a greater risk of COVID19 infection and
subsequent morbidity and mortality.