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Shawahna R. Epilepsy knowledge and attitudes: A large observational study among the Palestinian general public. Heliyon 2024; 10:e23707. [PMID: 38187269 PMCID: PMC10767192 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e23707] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Epileptic seizures are often misunderstood as supernatural power or satanic possession in different cultures around the world. Therefore, people with epilepsy (PWE) suffer discrimination, prejudice, and stigma. The epilepsy knowledge and attitude (EKA) of the Palestinian general public were not assessed before. Therefore, this study assessed the EKA of the Palestinian general public. In addition, the study identified the characteristics that were associated with EKA. Methods This was a large cross-sectional study that was conducted using a self-administered instrument. The study participants were invited and recruited from the Palestinian general public. The EKA were assessed using 16 knowledge items and 13 attitude items. Results In this study, responses were collected from 746 participants. Knowledge scores were significantly associated with having a university degree, satisfaction with household income, adequate knowledge about epilepsy, having acquaintances with epilepsy, and having witnessed someone experiencing epileptic seizures. Attitude scores were significantly associated with living in urban areas, being married, having a university degree, satisfaction with household income, adequate knowledge about epilepsy, having acquaintances with epilepsy, and having witnessed someone experiencing epileptic seizures. Conclusion Large knowledge gaps and negative attitudes toward PWE were identified among the Palestinian general public. These findings might be considered a call to increase knowledge and correct negative attitudes toward PWE. Decision-makers need to design and implement effective measures to increase knowledge and correct negative attitudes toward PWE. Further studies are still needed to assess the effectiveness of these measures in increasing knowledge and positive attitudes toward PWE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramzi Shawahna
- Department of Physiology, Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, An-Najah National University, Nablus, Palestine
- Clinical Research Center, An-Najah National University Hospital, Nablus, Palestine
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Mesraoua B, Perucca E, Tomson T, Asadi-Pooya AA. Should antiseizure medications be withdrawn after an extended period of seizure freedom in individuals with adult-onset epilepsy? Epilepsy Behav 2023; 142:109205. [PMID: 37031583 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109205] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
Unlike several epilepsies with onset in pediatric age, adult-onset epilepsies do not typically have a time course that is predictably self-remitting in the large majority of people. Still, about one-half of individuals with adult-onset epilepsy who have been seizure-free for an extended period (two years or longer) on antiseizure medications (ASMs) will remain in remission when their drug therapy is discontinued. Although a number of predictors of outcome have been identified (including specific adult-onset syndromes associated with a low probability of spontaneous remission), in most cases, the only way to establish whether the epilepsy has remitted in a given individual is to gradually withdraw ASMs. ASM withdrawal can be beneficial, particularly when the currently used treatment is not well tolerated, or could lead to adverse outcomes in the future (i.e., teratogenic effects should pregnancy occur in a female of childbearing potential). However, the risks associated with ASM withdrawal are significant. Relapse of seizures can have major adverse psychosocial consequences and also may carry a risk of morbidity and mortality. Most importantly, evidence suggests that in about 20% of individuals whose seizure relapsed following ASM withdrawal, re-institution of pharmacological therapy may not readily restore seizure control. Ultimately, management decisions should prioritize the preference of the well-informed person with epilepsy. Particularly, when adverse drug effects are a concern, options to be discussed should include not only withdrawal or continuation of the current treatment but also dose reduction or substitution with a different ASM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boulenouar Mesraoua
- Neurosciences Department, Hamad Medical Corporation and Weill Cornell Medical College, Doha, Qatar.
| | - Emilio Perucca
- Department of Medicine (Austin Health), The University of Melbourne, and Department of Neuroscience, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Torbjorn Tomson
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Ali A Asadi-Pooya
- Epilepsy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Jefferson Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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3
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Brigo F, Broggi S, Lattanzi S. Withdrawal of antiseizure medications - for whom, when, and how? Expert Rev Neurother 2023; 23:311-319. [PMID: 36946546 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2023.2195094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/23/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Epilepsy is a chronic disorder of the brain characterized by an enduring predisposition to generate epileptic seizures. Most patients can achieve complete seizure control (seizure freedom) with antiseizure medications (ASMs). In some of them, the withdrawal of ASMs can be considered. Guidance is required to identify patients in whom drug discontinuation can be safely attempted and to inform when and how ASM withdrawal can be done. AREAS COVERED In this perspective, the authors discuss the evidence on ASM withdrawal in epilepsy patients who are seizure-free and provide some suggestions on how to do it effectively in clinical practice, minimizing the risk of seizure recurrence. EXPERT OPINION The decision of discontinuing ASMs in epilepsy patients should rely on an accurate estimate of seizure recurrence risk. Whenever possible, such a risk should be assessed on an individual basis. The decision should also consider the psychosocial and personal consequences of seizure relapse. No robust evidence is available on the safest tapering regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Brigo
- Department of Neurology, Franz Tappeiner Hospital, Merano, Italy
| | - Serena Broggi
- Neurological Clinic, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Simona Lattanzi
- Neurological Clinic, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
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Terman SW, Slinger G, Koek A, Skvarce J, Springer MV, Ziobro JM, Burke JF, Otte WM, Thijs RD, Braun KPJ. Frequency of and factors associated with antiseizure medication discontinuation discussions and decisions in patients with epilepsy: A multicenter retrospective chart review. Epilepsia Open 2023. [PMID: 36693718 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Guidelines suggest considering antiseizure medication (ASM) discontinuation in patients with epilepsy who become seizure-free. Little is known about how discontinuation decisions are being made in practice. We measured the frequency of, and factors associated with, discussions and decisions surrounding ASM discontinuation. METHODS We performed a multicenter retrospective cohort study at the University of Michigan (UM) and two Dutch centers: Wilhelmina Children's Hospital (WCH) and Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN). We screened all children and adults with outpatient epilepsy visits in January 2015 and included those with at least one visit during the subsequent 2 years where they were seizure-free for at least one year. We recorded whether charts documented (1) a discussion with the patient about possible ASM discontinuation and (2) any planned attempt to discontinue at least one ASM. We conducted multilevel logistic regressions to determine factors associated with each outcome. RESULTS We included 1058 visits from 463 patients. Of all patients who were seizure-free at least one year, 248/463 (53%) had documentation of any discussion and 98/463 (21%) planned to discontinue at least one ASM. Corresponding frequencies for patients who were seizure-free at least 2 years were 184/285 (65%) and 74/285 (26%). The probability of discussing or discontinuing increased with longer duration of seizure freedom. Still, even for patients who were 10 years seizure-free, our models predicated that in only 49% of visits was a discontinuation discussion documented, and in only 16% of visits was it decided to discontinue all ASMs. Provider-to-provider variation explained 18% of variation in whether patients discontinued any ASM. SIGNIFICANCE Only approximately half of patients with prolonged seizure freedom had a documented discussion about ASM discontinuation. Discontinuation was fairly rare even among low-risk patients. Future work should further explore barriers to and facilitators of counseling and discontinuation attempts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel W Terman
- University of Michigan Department of Neurology, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Geertruida Slinger
- Department of Child Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, member of ERN EpiCare, University Medical Center Utrecht and Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Adriana Koek
- University of Michigan Department of Neurology, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - Jeremy Skvarce
- University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | | | - Julie M Ziobro
- University of Michigan Department of Pediatrics, Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA
| | - James F Burke
- Ohio State University Department of Neurology, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Willem M Otte
- Department of Child Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, member of ERN EpiCare, University Medical Center Utrecht and Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Roland D Thijs
- Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), Heemstede, The Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands.,Queen Square Institute of Neurology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Kees P J Braun
- Department of Child Neurology, UMC Utrecht Brain Center, Wilhelmina Children's Hospital, member of ERN EpiCare, University Medical Center Utrecht and Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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Janmohamed M, Hakeem H, Ooi S, Hakami S, Vu L, Perucca P, O'Brien TJ, Antonic-Baker A, Chen Z, Kwan P. Treatment Outcomes of Newly Diagnosed Epilepsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. CNS Drugs 2023; 37:13-30. [PMID: 36542274 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-022-00979-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES Understanding the multi-faceted treatment outcomes of newly diagnosed epilepsy is critical for developing rational therapeutic strategies. A meta-analysis was conducted to derive pooled estimates of a range of seizure outcomes in children and adults with newly diagnosed epilepsy commenced on antiseizure medication treatment, and to identify factors associated with different outcomes. METHODS PubMed/EMBASE were screened for eligible articles between 1 January, 1995 and 1 May, 2021 to include unselected cohort studies with a ≥ 12-month follow-up of seizure outcomes. Proportions of patients seizure free at different follow-up timepoints and their characteristics at the study population level were extracted. The patients were group-wise aggregated using a random-effects model. Primary outcomes were proportions of patients with cumulative 1-year seizure freedom (C1YSF), and 1-year and 5-year terminal seizure freedom (T1YSF and T5YSF). Secondary outcomes included the proportions of patients with early sustained seizure freedom, drug-resistant epilepsy and seizure-free off antiseizure medication at the last follow-up (off antiseizure medications). A separate random-effects meta-analysis was performed for nine predictors of importance. RESULTS In total, 39 cohorts (total n = 21,139) met eligibility criteria. They included 15 predominantly adult cohorts (n = 12,024), 19 children (n = 6569), and 5 of mixed-age groups (n = 2546). The pooled C1YSF was 79% (95% confidence interval [CI] 74-83). T1YSF was 68% (95% CI 63-72) and T5YSF was 69% (95% CI 62-75). Children had higher C1YSF (85% vs 68%, p < 0.001) and T1YSF than adult cohorts (74% vs 61%, p = 0.007). For secondary outcomes, 33% (95% CI 27-39) of patients achieved early sustained seizure freedom, 17% (95% CI 13-21) developed drug resistance, and 39% (95% CI 30-50) were off antiseizure medications at the last follow-up. Studies with a longer follow-up duration correlated with higher C1YSF (p < 0.001) and being off antiseizure medications (p = 0.045). Outcomes were not associated with study design (prospective vs retrospective), cohort size, publication year, or the earliest date of recruitment. Predictors of importance in newly diagnosed epilepsy include etiology, epilepsy type, abnormal diagnostics (neuroimaging, examination, and electroencephalogram findings), number of seizure types, and pre-treatment seizure burden. CONCLUSIONS Seizure freedom is achieved with currently available antiseizure medications in most patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy, yet this is often not immediate, may not be sustainable, and has not improved over recent decades. Symptomatic etiology, abnormal neuro-diagnostics, and increased pre-treatment seizure burden and seizure types are important predictors for unfavorable outcomes in newly diagnosed epilepsy. The study findings may be used as a quantitative benchmark on the efficacy of future antiseizure medication therapy for this patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mubeen Janmohamed
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, The Alfred Centre, Monash University, Level 6, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia. .,Department of Neurology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Haris Hakeem
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, The Alfred Centre, Monash University, Level 6, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Suyi Ooi
- Department of Neurology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Suhailah Hakami
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, The Alfred Centre, Monash University, Level 6, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Lily Vu
- Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Piero Perucca
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, The Alfred Centre, Monash University, Level 6, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Neurology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Bladin-Berkovic Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Terence J O'Brien
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, The Alfred Centre, Monash University, Level 6, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Neurology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ana Antonic-Baker
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, The Alfred Centre, Monash University, Level 6, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia
| | - Zhibin Chen
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, The Alfred Centre, Monash University, Level 6, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.,Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Patrick Kwan
- Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, The Alfred Centre, Monash University, Level 6, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne, VIC, 3004, Australia.,Department of Neurology, Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Neurology, The Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.,Department of Medicine, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
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6
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Yıldırım M, Bektaş Ö, Kartal AT, Yeniay Süt N, Teber S. Risk of seizure relapse and long-term outcomes after discontinuation of antiseizure medication in children with epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2022; 134:108779. [PMID: 35763995 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.108779] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 05/21/2022] [Accepted: 05/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aims of this study were to evaluate the demographic and clinical characteristics of children with epilepsy who discontinued their antiseizure medication (ASM), to determine potential predictors of seizure relapse, to calculate the rate of seizure relapse, and to detect long-term seizure outcomes. METHODS A total of 269 seizure-free children with epilepsy who were decided to discontinue their ASM and were followed up for at least 18 months after ASM withdrawal were retrospectively evaluated. RESULTS The enrolled children had been followed up for a median of 46 months (range 18-126 months; IQR: 29-61) after ASM withdrawal and 90 (33.5%) of their seizures relapsed. The median time to seizure relapse was 8 months (range 0.23-117 months; IQR: 2-25). Seizure relapse occurred in 16.7% of the 90 children at 1 month, 45.6% at 6 months, 62.2% at 1 year, 74.4% at 2 years, and 94.4% at 5 years. Univariate logistic regression analyses revealed six predictors significantly related to relapse: age at first seizure, age at diagnosis of epilepsy, intellectual disability, EEG findings after ASM withdrawal, ASM tapering time, and number of seizures on ASM. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, age at first seizure, intellectual disability, and ASM tapering time were not significantly associated anymore. The other three remained independently predictive. Pharmacological control of seizures with monotherapy was restored in 93.3% of the children with seizure relapse. CONCLUSION This study evaluated potential predictors of seizure relapse, some of which have rarely been evaluated in previous studies. Adolescent age at diagnosis, abnormal EEG findings after ASM withdrawal, and high number of seizures on ASM were associated with a higher risk of seizure relapse. Abnormal MRI findings such as malformations of cortical development and hydrocephalus may be potential biomarkers for the risk of seizure relapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miraç Yıldırım
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Ankara University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Ömer Bektaş
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Ankara University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Ayşe Tuğba Kartal
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Ankara University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Nurşah Yeniay Süt
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Ankara University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
| | - Serap Teber
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Ankara University, Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey.
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Ferlazzo E, Giussani G, Gasparini S, Bianchi E, Cianci V, Belcastro V, Cantello R, Strigaro G, Lazzari M, Bianchi A, Guadagni M, Pradella S, La Neve A, Francavilla T, Pilolli N, Banfi P, Turco F, Piccioli M, Polidori L, Anna Cantisani T, Papetti R, Cecconi M, Pupillo E, Davide Arippol E, Enia G, Neri S, Aguglia U, Beghi E. Rapid versus slow withdrawal of antiepileptic monotherapy in two-year seizure-free adults patients with epilepsy (RASLOW) study: A pragmatic multicentre, prospective, randomized, controlled study. Neurol Sci 2022; 43:5133-5141. [PMID: 35648267 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-022-06121-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To establish whether a slow or a rapid withdrawal of antiepileptic monotherapy influences relapse rate in seizure-free adults with epilepsy and calculates compliance and differences in the severity of relapses, based on the occurrence of status epilepticus, seizure-related injuries, and death. METHODS This is a multicentre, prospective, randomized, open label, non-inferiority trial in people aged 16 + years who were seizure-free for more than 2 years. Patients were randomized to slow withdrawal (160 days) or rapid withdrawal (60 days) and were followed for 12 months. The primary outcome was the probability of a first seizure relapse within the 12-months follow-up. The secondary outcomes included the cumulative probability of relapse at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. A non-inferiority analysis was performed with non-inferiority margin of - 0.15 for the difference between the probabilities of seizure recurrence in slow versus rapid withdrawal. RESULTS The sample comprised 48 patients, 25 randomized to slow withdrawal and 23 to rapid withdrawal. Median follow-up was 11.9 months. In the intention-to-treat population, 3 patients in the slow-withdrawal group and 1 in the rapid withdrawal group experienced seizure relapses. The corresponding probabilities of seizure recurrence were 0.12 for slow withdrawal and 0.04 for rapid withdrawal, giving a difference of 0.08 (95% CI - 0.12; 0.27), which is entirely above the non-inferiority margin. No patients developed status epilepticus and seizure-related injuries or died. Risks were similar in the Per-Protocol population. CONCLUSIONS Seizure-relapse rate after drug discontinuation is lower than in other reports, without complications and unrelated to the duration of tapering.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edoardo Ferlazzo
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.,Regional Epilepsy Centre, Great Metropolitan Hospital, Via Melacrino, 89100, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Giorgia Giussani
- Laboratory of Neurological Disorders, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Sara Gasparini
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.,Regional Epilepsy Centre, Great Metropolitan Hospital, Via Melacrino, 89100, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Elisa Bianchi
- Laboratory of Neurological Disorders, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Vittoria Cianci
- Regional Epilepsy Centre, Great Metropolitan Hospital, Via Melacrino, 89100, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | | | - Roberto Cantello
- Neurology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria "Maggiore Della Carità", Novara, Italy
| | - Gionata Strigaro
- Neurology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria "Maggiore Della Carità", Novara, Italy
| | - Matilde Lazzari
- Neurology Unit, Department of Translational Medicine, University of Piemonte Orientale, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria "Maggiore Della Carità", Novara, Italy
| | - Amedeo Bianchi
- Department of Neurology and Epilepsy Centre, San Donato Hospital, Arezzo, Italy
| | - Martina Guadagni
- Department of Neurology and Epilepsy Centre, San Donato Hospital, Arezzo, Italy
| | - Silvia Pradella
- Department of Neurology and Epilepsy Centre, San Donato Hospital, Arezzo, Italy
| | - Angela La Neve
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Teresa Francavilla
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Nicola Pilolli
- Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Neurosciences and Sense Organs, University of Bari, Bari, Italy
| | - Paola Banfi
- Department of Emergency, Medicine Epilepsy Center, Neurology Unit, Circolo Hospital, Varese, Italy
| | - Francesco Turco
- Department of Emergency, Medicine Epilepsy Center, Neurology Unit, Circolo Hospital, Varese, Italy
| | - Marta Piccioli
- UOC Neurology, PO San Filippo Neri, ASL Roma 1, Rome, Italy
| | - Luigi Polidori
- UOC Neurology, PO San Filippo Neri, ASL Roma 1, Rome, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Elisabetta Pupillo
- Laboratory of Neurological Disorders, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Emilio Davide Arippol
- Laboratory of Neurological Disorders, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Gabriele Enia
- Laboratory of Neurological Disorders, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
| | - Sabrina Neri
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.,Regional Epilepsy Centre, Great Metropolitan Hospital, Via Melacrino, 89100, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Umberto Aguglia
- Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, "Magna Græcia" University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy. .,Regional Epilepsy Centre, Great Metropolitan Hospital, Via Melacrino, 89100, Reggio Calabria, Italy.
| | - Ettore Beghi
- Laboratory of Neurological Disorders, Department of Neuroscience, Istituto Di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milan, Italy
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8
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Giussani G, Bianchi E, Beretta S, Carone D, DiFrancesco JC, Stabile A, Zanchi C, Pirovano M, Trentini C, Padovano G, Colombo M, Cereda D, Tinti L, Scanziani S, Gasparini S, Bogliun G, Ferrarese C, Beghi E. Comorbidities in patients with epilepsy: Frequency, mechanisms and effects on long-term outcome. Epilepsia 2021; 62:2395-2404. [PMID: 34309011 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/15/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess frequency, types, and mechanisms of comorbidities in people with epilepsy and verify their association with disease features and outcome. METHODS This cohort study was performed in 13 Italian epilepsy centers with nationwide distribution and accurate records. Eligible patients were children and adults diagnosed before December 31, 2005, and followed for a minimum of 10 years. Two pairs of raters independently reviewed patients' records and classified each comorbidity. In case of disagreement, a third reviewer made the final decision. Comorbidities were classified according to type (organ/system) and underlying mechanism (causal, shared risk factors, chance association). Comorbidity types and mechanisms were described in the entire sample and according to epilepsy prognostic patterns (sustained remission, relapsing-remitting course, no remission). RESULTS Of 1006 included patients, 266 (26.4%) had at least one comorbidity. The most common were developmental/perinatal (7.5% of cases), psychiatric (6.2%), cardiovascular (5.3%), and endocrine/metabolic (3.8%). Among 408 reported comorbidities, the underlying mechanisms were, in decreasing order, chance association (42.2%), shared risk factors (31.1%), and causal (26.7%). Psychiatric diseases were present in 13.3% of patients with no remission, 5.9% of patients with relapsing-remitting course, and 4.8% of patients with sustained remission (p = .016). The corresponding numbers for endocrine/metabolic diseases were respectively, 9.6%, 3.4%, and 2.9% (p = .013); for respiratory diseases were 3.6%, .3%, and .3% (p = .001), and for urogenital diseases were 3.6%, .7%, and 1.6% (p = .048). The association of endocrine/metabolic, psychiatric, and respiratory comorbidities with epilepsy prognosis was confirmed by multivariable analysis adjusted for the main demographic and clinical variables, with patients with these comorbidities showing a lower probability of achieving remission. SIGNIFICANCE Comorbidities in epilepsy are not uncommon and reflect differing underlying mechanisms. Psychiatric, endocrine/metabolic, and respiratory disorders are associated with a worse long-term epileptological outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giorgia Giussani
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Elisa Bianchi
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
| | - Simone Beretta
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, San Gerardo Hospital ASST Monza, University of Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Davide Carone
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, San Gerardo Hospital ASST Monza, University of Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Jacopo C DiFrancesco
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, San Gerardo Hospital ASST Monza, University of Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Andrea Stabile
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, San Gerardo Hospital ASST Monza, University of Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Clara Zanchi
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, San Gerardo Hospital ASST Monza, University of Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Marta Pirovano
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, San Gerardo Hospital ASST Monza, University of Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Claudia Trentini
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, San Gerardo Hospital ASST Monza, University of Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Giada Padovano
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, San Gerardo Hospital ASST Monza, University of Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Matteo Colombo
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, San Gerardo Hospital ASST Monza, University of Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Diletta Cereda
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, San Gerardo Hospital ASST Monza, University of Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Lorenzo Tinti
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, San Gerardo Hospital ASST Monza, University of Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Sofia Scanziani
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, San Gerardo Hospital ASST Monza, University of Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Sara Gasparini
- Medical and Surgical Sciences Department, School of Medicine, Magna Graecia University of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy.,Regional Epilepsy Centre, Great Metropolitan Hospital, Reggio Calabria, Italy
| | - Graziella Bogliun
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, San Gerardo Hospital ASST Monza, University of Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Carlo Ferrarese
- Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, San Gerardo Hospital ASST Monza, University of Milano Bicocca, Monza, Italy
| | - Ettore Beghi
- Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche Mario Negri IRCCS, Milano, Italy
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