Risk of neurological diseases among survivors of electric shocks: a nationwide cohort study, Denmark, 1968-2008

Kathrine Grell, Andrea Meersohn, Joachim Schüz, Christoffer Johansen

13 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Several studies suggest a link between electric injuries and neurological diseases, where electric shocks may explain elevated risks for neuronal degeneration and, subsequently, neurological diseases. We conducted a retrospective cohort study on the risk of neurological diseases among people in Denmark who had survived an electric accident in 1968-2008. The cohort included 3,133 people and occurrences of neurological diseases were determined by linkage to the nationwide population-based Danish National Register of Patients. The numbers of cases observed at first hospital contact in the cohort were compared with the respective rates of first hospital contacts for neurological diseases in the general population. We observed significantly increased risks for peripheral nerve diseases (standardized hospitalization ratio (SHR), 1.66; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.22-2.22), for migraine (SHR, 1.80; 95% CI, 1.23-2.54), for vertigo (SHR, 1.60; 95% CI, 1.22-2.05), and for epilepsy (SHR, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.11-1.85). Only small numbers of cases of other neurological diseases were found, making the risk estimates unstable. These findings suggest an association between a single electric shock and increased risks for peripheral nerve diseases, migraines, vertigo, and epilepsy, but confirmation of these observations is needed.

Original languageEnglish
JournalBioelectromagnetics
Volume33
Issue number6
Pages (from-to)459-65
Number of pages7
ISSN0197-8462
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Sept 2012

Keywords

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Cohort Studies
  • Denmark
  • Electric Injuries
  • Female
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Infant, Newborn
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nervous System Diseases
  • Patient Discharge
  • Risk
  • Survivors
  • Young Adult
  • Journal Article
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

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