Exploring the Smoking-Epilepsy Nexus: a systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies

Abstract Background Epilepsy, characterized by recurrent unprovoked seizures, poses significant challenges to affected individuals globally. While several established risk factors for epilepsy exist, the association with cigarette smoking remains debated. This study aims to conduct systematic review and meta-analysis to elucidate the potential association between smoking and the likelihood of epilepsy. Methods The search was performed on March 31st, 2023, using the Medline, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. We included cohort, cross-sectional, and case–control studies in our meta-analysis, conducting subgroup analyses based on smoking history, sex, and epilepsy type to yield specific insights. Results We identified 2550 studies, of which 17 studies were finally included in this study. The pooled odds ratio of epilepsy was 1.14 (0.96–1.36) in smokers compared to non-smokers. In current smokers compared to non-smokers, the odds ratio was 1.46 (1.13–1.89), while, in former smokers compared to non-smokers, the odds ratio was 1.14 (0.83–1.56). Conclusions While the overall association between smoking and epilepsy did not reach statistical significance, a notable association was found among current smokers. The study emphasizes the importance of smoking cessation as a potential preventive measure against epilepsy, especially given the proconvulsive effects of nicotine. Future research should address limitations and explore specific clinical scenarios to enhance our understanding of the complex relationship between cigarette use and epilepsy. Systematic review registration CRD42022342510.