The use of EEG as a diagnostic tool for psychiatric patients, a retrospective study in Somdet Chaopraya Institute

Abstract

Objective This study was aimed to evaluate the use of EEG in psychiatric patients.

Materials and methods Psychiatric patients consulted for EEG by psychiatrists during 2010 and 2012 were reviewed. The general data and clinical data both pre and post EEG investigation were analyzed by descriptive statistic.

Results There were 102 EEG recordings, of these 62.7% were male, age between 15-65 years. Most lived in Bangkok and suburban. Around one forth of cases were graduated higher than high school. About two thirds had no income. Psychosis was diagnosed in 61.8%, 10.8% affective disorder
and 27.5% mixed psychotic disorder. Clinical presentations found 17.6% acute type, 49.0% chronic type and 33.3% intermittent type. EEG consultation was requested in order to rule out epilepsy at 92.2%. EEG results were normal at 80.4%, 13% were epilepsy and 7% were encephalitis. After EEG study,
52.9% of cases had changed treatment.

Conclusion EEG finding in psychiatric patients yielded very low positive findings for epilepsy. However, in a positive finding case, it is benefit for treatment.