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.
Conclusion: 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.
Introduction: Seizures and movement disorders related to non- ketotic hyperglycemia (NKHG) have been reported with increasing frequency since the first case documented in 1965.1,2 The clinical spectr m of this syndrome is various with a severe course in elderly. It develops more quickly than other disorders of diabetes mellitus with hyperglycemia, but usually without evidence of ketosis.2,3 Since the syndrome often ensues during the course of any illness and yet has not been reported in diverse medical fields, doctors must become familiar with this preventable condition, especially in elders. Thus, only the prompt institution of appropriate insulin therapy will improve prognosis and hasten recovery.2,3