SUDEP and mortality in epilepsy: The role of routinely collected healthcare data, registries, and health inequalities

Community prevalence and dyad disease pattern of multimorbidity in China and India: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Driven by the increasing life expectancy, China and India, the two most populous countries in the world are experiencing a rising burden of multimorbidity. This study aims to explore community prevalence and dyad patterns of multimorbidity in China and India.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of five English and Chinese electronic databases. Studies involving adults 18 years or older at a community level, which reported multimorbidity prevalence and/or patterns were included. A modified Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used for quality assessment. Despite large heterogeneity among reported studies, a systematic synthesis of the results was conducted to report the findings.

RESULTS

From 13 996 studies retrieved, 59 studies met the inclusion criteria (46 in China, 9 in India and 4 in both). The median prevalence of multimorbidity was 30.7% (IQR 17.1, 49.4), ranging from 1.5% to 90.5%. There was a large difference in multimorbidity prevalence between China and India, with median prevalence being 36.1% (IQR 19.6, 48.8) and 28.3% (IQR 8.9, 56.8), respectively. Among 27 studies that reported age-specific prevalence, 19 studies found multimorbidity prevalence increased with age, while 8 studies observed a paradoxical reduction in the oldest age group. Of the 34 studies that reported sex-specific prevalence, 86% (n=32) observed a higher prevalence in females. The most common multimorbidity patterns from 14 studies included hypertensive diseases combined with diabetes mellitus, arthropathies, heart diseases and metabolic disorders. All included studies were rated as fair or poor quality.

CONCLUSION

Multimorbidity is highly prevalent in China and India with hypertensive diseases and other comorbidities being the most observed patterns. The overall quality of the studies was low and there was a lack of representative samples in most studies. Large epidemiology studies, using a common definition of multimorbidity and national representative samples, with sex disaggregation are needed in both countries.

PROSPERO REGISTRATION NUMBER

CRD42020176774.

Epilepsy mortality in Wales during COVID-19

PURPOSE

The COVID-19 pandemic has increased mortality worldwide and those with chronic conditions may have been disproportionally affected. However, it is unknown whether the pandemic has changed mortality rates for people with epilepsy. We aimed to compare mortality rates in people with epilepsy in Wales during the pandemic with pre-pandemic rates.

METHODS

We performed a retrospective study using individual-level linked population-scale anonymised electronic health records. We identified deaths in people with epilepsy (DPWE), i.e. those with a diagnosis of epilepsy, and deaths associated with epilepsy (DAE), where epilepsy was recorded as a cause of death on death certificates. We compared death rates in 2020 with average rates in 2015-2019 using Poisson models to calculate death rate ratios.

RESULTS

There were 188 DAE and 628 DPWE in Wales in 2020 (death rates: 7.7/100,000/year and 25.7/100,000/year). The average rates for DAE and DPWE from 2015 to 2019 were 5.8/100,000/year and 23.8/100,000/year, respectively. Death rate ratios (2020 compared to 2015-2019) for DAE were 1.34 (95%CI 1.14-1.57, p<0.001) and for DPWE were 1.08 (0.99-1.17, p = 0.09). The death rate ratios for non-COVID deaths (deaths without COVID mentioned on death certificates) for DAE were 1.17 (0.99-1.39, p = 0.06) and for DPWE were 0.96 (0.87-1.05, p = 0.37).

CONCLUSIONS

The significant increase in DAE in Wales during 2020 could be explained by the direct effect of COVID-19 infection. Non-COVID-19 deaths have not increased significantly but further work is needed to assess the longer-term impact.

Trend of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy Incidence Rate in Rural West China

Objectives: To explore the trend of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) incidence rate over time in rural west China.

Methods: We scanned probable SUDEP patients from the epilepsy program between 2010 and 2019 in rural West China and performed a verbal autopsy for each eligible patient. We calculated the crude and sex-adjusted incidence rate of SUDEP per person-year over a calendar year and the year of follow-up. We calculated the incidence rate ratio with the Poisson model in STATA 12.0 and calculated the annual percentage change (APC) and average annual percentage change in Joinpoint Trend Analysis Software 4.8.0.1 to analyze the trend of SUDEP incidence rate.

Results: In 2010–2019, 44 probable SUDEPs were identified from 10,128 patients with a total person-year of 31,347. The crude and sex-adjusted incidence rates of SUDEP were 1.40 and 1.45%0. Twenty-five (56.8%) of the 44 probable SUDEPs had no generalized tonic-clonic seizure 3 months before their death. The incidence of probable SUDEP decreased significantly in the calendar year [APC = −11.7, 95% confidence interval (CI): −21.7 to −0.3] and in time of follow-up (average annual percentage change = −21.2, 95% CI: −34.3 to −5.4). Comparing the first 5 years in follow-up with the subsequent 3 years, the incidence rate of SUDEP decreased significantly (estimated incidence rate ratio = 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2 to 0.8).

Significance: SUDEP happened to 1.4 cases per thousand patient-years in convulsive epilepsy in rural west China between 2010 and 2019. The incidence rate of SUDEP presented a downward trend over the time of follow-up.

Evaluating risk to people with epilepsy during the COVID-19 pandemic: Preliminary findings from the COV-E study

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused global anguish unparalleled in recent times. As cases rise, increased pressure on health services, combined with severe disruption to people's everyday lives, can adversely affect individuals living with chronic illnesses, including people with epilepsy. Stressors related to disruption to healthcare, finances, mental well-being, relationships, schooling, physical activity, and increased isolation could increase seizures and impair epilepsy self-management. We aim to understand the impact that COVID-19 has had on the health and well-being of people with epilepsy focusing on exposure to increased risk of seizures, associated comorbidity, and mortality. We designed two online surveys with one addressing people with epilepsy directly and the second for caregivers to report on behalf of a person with epilepsy. The survey is ongoing and has yielded 463 UK-based responses by the end of September 2020. Forty percent of respondents reported health changes during the pandemic (n = 185). Respondents cited a change in seizures (19%, n = 88), mental health difficulties (34%, n = 161), and sleep disruption (26%, n = 121) as the main reasons. Thirteen percent found it difficult to take medication on time. A third had difficulty accessing medical services (n = 154), with 8% having had an appointment canceled (n = 39). Only a small proportion reported having had discussions about epilepsy-related risks, such as safety precautions (16%, n = 74); mental health (29%, n = 134); sleep (30%, n = 140); and Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP; 15%, n = 69) in the previous 12 months. These findings suggest that people with epilepsy are currently experiencing health changes, coupled with inadequate access to services. Also, there seems to be a history of poor risk communication in the months preceding the pandemic. As the UK witnesses a second COVID-19 wave, those involved in healthcare delivery must ensure optimal care is provided for people with chronic conditions, such as epilepsy, to ensure that avoidable morbidity and mortality is prevented during the pandemic, and beyond.

Mortality of all causes and sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP) in a cohort of 235 persons living with epilepsy in Rwanda using WHO Verbal Autopsy Questionnaire

Introduction

Mortality in persons living with epilepsy (PwE) is 1.6–9.3-fold higher than in the general population. Mortality from definite/probable Sudden Unexpected Death in EPilepsy (SUDEP) is estimated at 1.2 per 1000 person-years. We report mortality and SUDEP rate in a cohort of Rwandan PwE.

Methods

PwE presenting for a first visit at the Ndera epilepsy center between January and June 2016 were followed-up prospectively. For PwE who did not attend their follow-up visit, home visits were organized. Deaths were assessed using World Health Organization Verbal Autopsy Standards age-specific questionnaires.

Results

Of 235 PwE enrolled, home visits were organized for 81 (34.4%) PwE who did not return for their follow-up consultation. Seven fatalities (mortality 16.7/1000 patient-years [CI 6.7–34.3]) were recorded (aged 2–80 years). Four had an identified cause. Three were classified as probable SUDEP, resulting in a probable SUDEP rate of 7.1/1000 patient-years (CI 1.47–20.86). Probable SUDEP occurred in PwE (age: 2, 21, 34 years) showing no symptoms of illness while receiving antiepileptic treatment; in two cases, death occurred during sleep.

Conclusion

Although autopsies were absent, the high mortality and probable SUDEP rates warrant future studies to establish causes of epilepsy-related deaths in Rwanda and sub-Saharan Africa.

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WHO Verbal Autopsy Questionnaire gives insight into epilepsy mortality and SUDEP.

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Probable SUDEP rate in Rwandan cohort of 235 PwE was 7.1 per 1000 patient-years.

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Home visits are encouraged to investigate the cause of death in PwE.