Seizures and movement disorders induced by hyperglycemia without ketosis in elderly.

BACKGROUND

Non-ketotic hyperglycemia (NKHG) may increase the probability of seizures and movement disorders.

METHODS

We describe a series of 14 elders admitted for seizures and movement disorders linked to NKHG.

RESULTS

Twelve patients developed motor seizures and two others movement disorders. Glucose levels varied 9.28 to 32 mmol/l, while osmolarity values varied from 302.28 to 328 mosmol/l. All patients responded well to insulin therapy and four of them needed anti-epileptic drugs.

CONCLUSIONS

Seizures or movement disorders in elderly with NKHG could be misdiagnosed as neurological diseases. Blood glucose must be audited whenever patients with seizures or movement disorders are encountered, as the condition may quickly resolve when NKHG is controlled.