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Bai N, Yin M, Zhang H, Li Z. The experiences of adolescents and young adults with epilepsy: A systematic review and meta-synthesis of qualitative studies. Epilepsy Behav 2023; 140:109086. [PMID: 36804848 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 01/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epilepsy is one of the most common and severe chronic neurological disorders and is associated with psychosocial problems. Several qualitative studies have investigated the experiences of adolescents and young adults with epilepsy. However, the findings were conflicting to some extent. This study examined and synthesized qualitative research data to understand the experiences of adolescents and young adults living with epilepsy, improving the development of targeted interventions and enhancing these experiences. OBJECTIVE To synthesize qualitative evidence about the experiences of adolescents and young adults suffering from epilepsy. METHODS This systematic review and qualitative evidence synthesis used the Joanna Briggs methodology for qualitative systematic reviews [1]. PubMed, PsychINFO, EMBASE, and Web of Science were searched for studies indexed until March 2022. Qualitative data were extracted, analyzed, and aggregated using meta-synthesis. RESULTS Seventeen studies were included in the review. Three distinct themes were identified: "impact of epilepsy," "emotions associated with epilepsy," and "self-management of epilepsy." The results show that adolescents and young adults with epilepsy develop different strategies to manage epilepsy and associated problems. CONCLUSION The results improved our understanding of the experiences of adolescents and young adults suffering from epilepsy. Several approaches are encouraged to improve these experiences and the quality of life, including granting more autonomy to affected children, providing individualized care and advice, improving public awareness of epilepsy to avoid stigma, and strengthening legal frameworks to safeguard the rights of affected people.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nan Bai
- School of Nursing, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Min Yin
- School of Nursing, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Huiyue Zhang
- School of Nursing, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Zheng Li
- School of Nursing, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences & Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, China; School of Nursing, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China.
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Mastrangelo M, Esposito D. PAEDIATRIC SUDDEN UNEXPECTED DEATH IN EPILEPSY: FROM PATHOPHYSIOLOGY TO PREVENTION. Seizure 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2022.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
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Trivisano M, Muccioli L, Ferretti A, Lee HF, Chi CS, Bisulli F. Risk of SUDEP during infancy. Epilepsy Behav 2022; 131:107896. [PMID: 33741238 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.107896] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 02/10/2021] [Accepted: 02/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) in children is influenced by different factors such as etiology, seizure type and frequency, treatment, and environment. A greater severity of epilepsy, in terms of seizure frequency, seizures type, especially with nocturnal generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS), and resistance to anti-seizure medication are predisposing factors to SUDEP. Potential mechanisms of SUDEP might involve respiratory, cardiovascular, and central autonomic dysfunctions, either combined or in isolation. Patients with epilepsy carrying mutations in cardiac channelopathy genes might be disposed to seizure-induced arrhythmias. Other than in channelopathies, SUDEP has been reported in further patients with genetic epilepsies due to mutations of genes such as DEPDC5, TBC1D24, FHF1, or 5q14.3 deletion. Age-related electro-clinical differences in GTCS may therefore be relevant in explaining differences in SUDEP between adults and children. Typical GTCS represent a rare seizure type in infants and toddlers, they are characterized by a shorter tonic phase and, in direct proportion, by shorter postictal generalized EEG suppression (PGES). The presence of night-time supervision has been found to reduce SUDEP risk, likely reducing SUDEP incidence in children. Reconsideration of safety protocols in epilepsy monitoring units with the aim of reducing the risk of SUDEP, and the use of devices for seizure detection, might contribute to reduce the risk of death in patients affected by epilepsy. This article is part of the Special Issue "Severe Infantile Epilepsies".
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Affiliation(s)
- Marina Trivisano
- Rare and Epilepsies Unit, Department of Neurological Science, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Full Member of European Reference Network EpiCARE, Rome, Italy.
| | - Lorenzo Muccioli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - Alessandro Ferretti
- Rare and Epilepsies Unit, Department of Neurological Science, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Full Member of European Reference Network EpiCARE, Rome, Italy
| | - Hsiu-Fen Lee
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Children's Medical Center, Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Ching-Shiang Chi
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, Tungs' Taichung Metroharbor Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Francesca Bisulli
- Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche e Neuromotorie, Università di Bologna, Bologna, Italy; IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di Bologna, Bologna, Italy
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El Atrache R, Tamilia E, Amengual-Gual M, Mohammadpour Touserkani F, Yang Y, Wang X, Ufongene C, Sheehan T, Cantley S, Jackson M, Zhang B, Papadelis C, Sarkis RA, Loddenkemper T. Association between semiologic, autonomic, and electrographic seizure characteristics in children with generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 122:108228. [PMID: 34388667 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2021] [Accepted: 07/16/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS) are associated with elevated electrodermal activity (EDA) and postictal generalized electroencephalographic suppression (PGES), markers that may indicate sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) risk. This study investigated the association of GTCS semiology, EDA, and PGES in children with epilepsy. METHODS Patients admitted to the Boston Children's Hospital long-term video-EEG monitoring unit wore a sensor that records EDA. We selected patients with at least one GTCS and reviewed video-EEGs for semiology, tonic and clonic phase duration, total clinical seizure duration, electrographic onset, offset, and PGES. We grouped patients into three semiology classes: GTCS 1: bilateral symmetric tonic arm extension, GTCS 2: no specific tonic arm extension or flexion, GTCS 3: unilateral or asymmetrical arm extension, tonic arm flexion or posturing that does not fit into GTCS 1 or 2. We analyzed the correlation between semiology, EDA, and PGES, and measured the area under the curve (AUC) of the ictal EDA (seizure onset to one hour after), subtracting baseline EDA (one-hour seizure-free before seizure onset). Using generalized estimating equation (GEE) and linear regression, we analyzed all seizures and single episodes per patient. RESULTS We included 30 patients (median age 13.8 ± 3.6 years, 46.7% females) and 53 seizures. With GEE, GTCS 1 was associated with longer PGES duration compared to GTCS 2 (Estimate (β) = -26.32 s, 95% Confidence Interval (CI): -36.46 to -16.18, p < 0.001), and the presence of PGES was associated with greater EDA change (β = 429604 μS, 95% CI: 3550.96 to 855657.04, p = 0.048). With single-episode analysis, GTCS 1 had greater EDA change than GTCS 2 ((β = -601339 μS, 95% CI: -1167016.56 to -35661.44, p = 0.047). EDA increased with PGES presence (β = 637500 μS, 95% CI: 183571.84 to 1091428.16, p = 0.01) and duration (β = 16794 μS, 95% CI: 5729.8 to 27858.2, p = 0.006). Patients with GTCS 1 had longer PGES duration compared to GTCS 2 (β = -30.53 s, 95% CI: -44.6 to -16.46, p < 0.001) and GTCS 3 (β = -22.07 s, 95% CI: -38.95 to -5.19, p = 0.016). CONCLUSION In children with epilepsy, PGES correlates with greater ictal EDA. GTCS 1 correlated with longer PGES duration and may indirectly correlate with greater ictal EDA. Our study suggests potential applications in monitoring and preventing SUDEP in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rima El Atrache
- Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA.
| | - Eleonora Tamilia
- Laboratory of Children's Brain Dynamics, Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Fetal-Neonatal Neuroimaging and Developmental Science Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Marta Amengual-Gual
- Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Fatemeh Mohammadpour Touserkani
- Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Neurology, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | - Yonghua Yang
- Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Department of Pediatrics, the First Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xiaofan Wang
- Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Claire Ufongene
- Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Theodore Sheehan
- Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Sarah Cantley
- Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Michele Jackson
- Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Biostatistics and Research Design Center, Institutional Centers for Clinical and Translational Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Christos Papadelis
- Laboratory of Children's Brain Dynamics, Division of Newborn Medicine, Department of Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Jane and John Justin Neurosciences Center, Cook Children's Health Care System, Fort Worth, TX, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Texas at Arlington, Arlington, TX, USA; School of Medicine, Texas Christian University and University of North Texas Health Science Center, Fort Worth, Texas, USA
| | - Rani A Sarkis
- Department of Neurology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Tobias Loddenkemper
- Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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Wicker E, Cole JW. Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP): A Review of Risk Factors and Possible Interventions in Children. J Pediatr Pharmacol Ther 2021; 26:556-564. [PMID: 34421404 DOI: 10.5863/1551-6776-26.6.556] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a serious and devastating, yet poorly understood outcome in epilepsy. This review discusses the current knowledge and understanding of SUDEP in children and adolescents. Established risk factors for SUDEP include history of generalized tonic-clonic seizures and nocturnal seizures. Other proposed risk factors include the use of multiple antiseizure medications and poor medication adherence. Possible prevention strategies for SUDEP include improved medication adherence, surgical interventions, nighttime safety, seizure detection devices, and diet. Pediatric providers have a great opportunity to educate families about SUDEP, assess medication adherence, and provide families with tools to improve medication adherence and learn about SUDEP in children and adolescents with epilepsy. Future research in SUDEP aims to further understand the etiology and risk factors of SUDEP, while developing more intervention strategies to prevent SUDEP.
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Aksoy D, Karakaya SB, Türkdoğan D, Karaketir ŞG, Save D. Awareness of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy among parents of children with epilepsy in a tertiary center. Epilepsy Behav 2020; 111:107125. [PMID: 32623029 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 04/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is the second leading neurological cause of potential years of lifelost after stroke. Despite growing numbers of studies on social aspects of epilepsy, there is a paucity of research on the awareness of SUDEP among the parents of children with epilepsy (CWE), especially in Turkey. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the knowledge of parents of the CWE regarding SUDEP in the tertiary setting. MATERIAL AND METHODS A total of 146 parents (108 female) aged 19 to 55 years (median age:34) of CWE were included at Marmara University, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Neurology outpatient clinic between May 2018 and September 2018. A total of 30 multiple-choice questions and a written survey were administered, which consisted of three sections. In the first section, the sociodemographics of parents and CWE were questioned. In the second section, the severity of epilepsy was evaluated. In the third section, the knowledge level and awareness of parents of CWE were assessed. RESULTS Of 146 parents, only 16.6% previously heard about SUDEP, while 45% of them heard from their relatives. The presence of prior knowledge of SUDEP was associated with the presence of prolonged postictal confusion and longer duration of epilepsy (p < 0.05). Ninety-seven (66%) parents desired to be informed about SUDEP, while 76 (54.7%) of them agreed that this information should be given at the time of diagnosis. The degree of anxiety in parents regarding death of epilepsy-related causes was significantly related with prolonged postictal confusion (p < 0.001) and using three or more antiepileptic drugs (p = 0.005). CONCLUSION Our data suggest that knowledge about SUDEP among parents with CWE found inadequate in Turkey. There should be much effort to inform parents and caregivers in epilepsy clinics on SUDEP, which may help to reduce the associated risk factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dilşat Aksoy
- Marmara University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Turkey
| | | | - Dilşad Türkdoğan
- Marmara University, School of Medicine, Department of Pediatric Neurology, and Epilepsy Research and Implementation Centre, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | | | - Dilşad Save
- Marmara University, School of Medicine, Department of Public Health and Epilepsy Research and Implementation Centre, Istanbul, Turkey
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Cooper K, Kirkpatrick P, Brand C, Rolfe A, Florida-James S. Discussing sudden unexpected death in epilepsy with children and young people with epilepsy and their parents/carers: A mixed methods systematic review. Seizure 2020; 78:159-167. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2019.10.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 10/06/2019] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
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Shankar R, Ashby S, McLean B, Newman C. Bridging the gap of risk communication and management using the SUDEP and Seizure Safety Checklist. Epilepsy Behav 2020; 103:106419. [PMID: 31648927 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2019] [Accepted: 07/05/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a tragic condition and, despite varied risk levels among the population with epilepsy, is the cause of significant premature mortality. In the last 20 years, though awareness of SUDEP has increased among epilepsy professionals, little has changed with regard to the death rates per se, in rates of informing people with epilepsy (PWE) of their person-centered SUDEP risks, or in the awareness levels of nonepilepsy clinicians, such as, primary care practitioners and hospital doctors. The challenges to make aware and inform PWE have been multifold, in particular, 'when', 'what', and 'how' to tell about SUDEP. Current guidance recognizes that to improve SUDEP rates, it is important to engage proactively with PWE. There is a need to bring shared responsibility between clinicians and PWE to help mitigate the risk of SUDEP. To enable this, a meaningful evidence-based person-centered conversation is essential. The SUDEP and Seizure Safety Checklist ("Checklist") was created to facilitate this. This paper showcases the background, concept, development, implementation, feasibility and validity studies undertaken, challenges, barriers, and limitations of the eight-year Checklist project, which has moved from a single clinic to an international presence. It outlines the need to further reform SUDEP risk communication recognizing the differences between a basic risk message at time of diagnosis as advocated by current good practice guidance and the need for a more person-centered discussion on a regular basis for which the Checklist can be a key catalyst. This article is part of the Special Issue "Prevent 21: SUDEP Summit - Time to Listen".
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Affiliation(s)
- Rohit Shankar
- Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Threemilestone Industrial Estate, Truro TR4 9LD, UK; Exeter Medical School, Knowledge Spa, Royal Cornwall Hospital, Truro TR1 3HD, UK.
| | | | | | - Craig Newman
- Plymouth University, Peninsula Schools of Medicine and Dentistry, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
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Abdel-Mannan O, Hughes E, Dunkley C. Epilepsy deaths in children: Improvements driven by data and surveillance in pediatrics. Epilepsy Behav 2020; 103:106493. [PMID: 31526647 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.106493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2019] [Accepted: 08/12/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
Epilepsy-related death in children and young people deserves understanding and intervention along with epilepsy-related deaths in adults. Risk of death from epilepsy varies at different ages, and the specific calculations of risk remains complex and varies between studies. There have been several UK studies examining factors associated with epilepsy-related deaths. A UK national audit with other national initiatives has evidenced improving quality of care and more recently allowed service provision factors associated with reduced epilepsy-related death to be evidenced. A national program of health education, formalized epilepsy networks, commissioned surgical pathways, and patient information resources around risk and participation are examples of quality improvement initiatives. Epilepsy-related death is a key outcome, and there remains many difficulties and opportunities at local, regional, and national level to better understand and improve this outcome for children and young people and the adults that they should become. This paper is for the Special Issue: Prevent 21: SUDEP Summit - Time to Listen.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elaine Hughes
- Paediatric Neurosciences, Evelina London Children's Hospital and King's College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom
| | - Colin Dunkley
- Dept. of Paediatrics, Sherwood Forest Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, United Kingdom.
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May TW, Israel CW. [Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) : Epidemiology, cardiac and other risk factors]. Herzschrittmacherther Elektrophysiol 2019; 30:274-86. [PMID: 31489492 DOI: 10.1007/s00399-019-00643-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is one of the most frequent epilepsy-related causes of death. The incidence of SUDEP is estimated to be approximately 1.2/1000 person-years (PY); however, it varies considerably depending on disease-specific and demographic factors. The estimated incidence of SUDEP in children seems to be significantly lower (0.22/1000 PY) than in adults but recent studies in children (>12 years) indicated a similar incidence to that of adults. Based on these estimations, approximately 700 SUDEP cases would be expected in Germany annually but no reliable data or epidemiological studies on SUDEP are available. Various risk factors and predictors for SUDEP have been investigated, e.g. age, seizure frequency, number of antiepileptic drugs, non-compliance and comorbidities, with sometimes contradictory results. This is understandable given that the exact mechanisms of SUDEP are unclear; however, it is very likely that the frequency of (nocturnal) generalized tonic-clonic seizures is the most important risk factor. Nocturnal monitoring of seizures (using devices) or the presence of another person at night may represent important factors to reduce the risk of SUDEP. Thus, seizure control and seizure monitoring are, according to current knowledge, the most important factors to avoid SUDEP. Some recent studies have contributed to a better understanding of possible pathomechanisms of SUDEP; however, further research is needed to identify predictive clinical factors and biomarkers and in particular to prevent SUDEP.
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Abstract
Sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a devastating complication of epilepsy which was under-recognized in the recent past despite its clear importance. In this review, we examine the definition of SUDEP, revise current pathophysiological theories, discuss risk factors and preventative measures, disclose tools for appraising the SUDEP risk, and last but not least dwell upon announcing and explaining the SUDEP risk to the patients and their caretakers. We aim to aid the clinicians in their responsibility of knowing SUDEP, explaining the SUDEP risk to their patients in a reasonable and sensible way and whenever possible, preventing SUDEP. Future studies are definitely needed to increase scientific knowledge and awareness related to this prioritized topic with malign consequences.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayşe Deniz Elmali
- İstanbul University, İstanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Nerses Bebek
- İstanbul University, İstanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, İstanbul, Turkey
| | - Betül Baykan
- İstanbul University, İstanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Neurology, İstanbul, Turkey
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Abstract
Epilepsy is a common neurological disorder of which seizures are a core symptom. Approximately one third of epileptic patients are resistant to antiepileptic drugs and therefore require alternative therapeutic options. Dietary and nutritional supplements can in some cases replace drugs, but with the exception of ketogenic diets, there are no officially recommended dietary considerations for patients with epilepsy. In this review we summarize a selection of nutritional suggestions that have proved beneficial in treating different types of epilepsy. We describe the types of seizures and epilepsy and follow this with an introduction to basic molecular mechanisms. We then examine several functional nutrients for which there is clinical evidence of therapeutic efficacy in reducing seizures or epilepsy-associated sudden death. We also discuss experimental results that demonstrate possible molecular mechanisms elicited by the administration of various nutrients. The availability of multiple dietary and nutritional candidates that show favorable outcomes in animals implies that assessing the clinical potential of these substances will improve translational medicine, ultimately benefitting epilepsy patients.
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