Late-Onset Seizures: Trial of Vascular Risk Investigation and Treatment

A growing body of evidence suggests patients with late-onset seizures are at an increased risk of stroke, but the potential for reducing cardiovascular morbidity through risk factor screening and management is unknown. The investigators aim to determine whether individuals with new-onset unprovoked seizures after middle age should undergo vascular risk assessment. In a cluster project the investigators assess the effect of vascular risk factor screening in an observational study as well as a cohort study. The project has two interlinked components: a prospective single group study, in which risk factor assessment is performed and subsequent management is followed for one year; and a register-based cohort study examining the long-term effects of the intervention on a system level.

Cluster design: Participating sites start with vascular risk factor intervention - patients are then offered participation in an observational 1-year study. In addition, all patients at the sites are followed in registers and compared to historic controls. Follow-up in the register study will be at least 5, but probably 10 years (until significant difference in primary analysis - Kaplan Meier).