Lin N, Bai L, Liu Q, Chen J, Ren H, Guan H, Lu Q. Seizure semiology and predictors of outcomes in Chinese patients with glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody-associated neurological syndrome.
BMC Neurol 2023;
23:149. [PMID:
37041500 PMCID:
PMC10088211 DOI:
10.1186/s12883-023-03182-x]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/13/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
In the current study, seizure semiology and potential predictive factors of seizure outcomes in glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody (GAD Ab)-associated neurological syndrome were investigated.
METHODS
In this study, 32 Chinese patients with GAD Ab-associated neurological syndrome who presented with seizures at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2017 to October 2022 were reviewed; 30 had a follow-up duration of more than 1 year.
RESULTS
Among the 32 patients, 10 presented with epilepsy alone. Concomitant neurological syndromes were observed in 22 patients, including limbic encephalitis (n = 20), stiff-person syndrome (SPS, n = 1), and cerebellar ataxia (n = 1). Bilateral tonic-clonic seizures were observed in 21 patients (65.6%). Focal seizures occurred in 27 patients (84.4%); 17 had focal motor seizures and 18 focal non-motor seizures. Among 30 patients with long-term follow-up, 11 (36.7%) were seizure-free. Acute/subacute onset (p = 0.049) and comorbidity of limbic encephalitis with epilepsy (p = 0.023) led to better seizure outcomes. Patients with persistent epilepsy were more likely to have focal seizure (p = 0.003) and higher frequency of seizure (p = 0.001). Furthermore, these patients tended to have longer intervals from onset to immunomodulatory treatments. Early immunotherapy (within 6 months from onset) was administered in 81.8% of seizure-free patients but only in 42.1% of patients with persistent seizures. However, steroid and immunosuppressant duration did not differ in the two groups. Repeated serum GAD Ab tests during the follow-up showed no association with seizure outcomes.
CONCLUSIONS
The seizure manifestations are diverse and variable. Approximately one third of patients achieved seizure remission during long-term follow-up. The type and frequency of seizures may influence the seizure outcomes. Early immunotherapy, especially within 6 months, may lead to better seizure outcomes.
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