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Watson M, Cook K, Sillau S, Greenwell E, Libbon R, Strom L. Death of a loved one: A potential risk factor for onset of functional seizures. Epilepsy Behav 2024; 155:109769. [PMID: 38636145 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2024.109769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2024] [Revised: 03/25/2024] [Accepted: 03/27/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Functional seizures (FS) are a symptom of Functional Neurological Disorder (FND), the second most common neurological diagnosis made worldwide. Childhood trauma is associated with the development of FS, but more research is needed to truly understand the effects of trauma on FS onset. A sample of 256 responses by adults with FS to the Childhood Traumatic Events Scale were analyzed using a Cox proportional hazard model. When investigating each unique childhood traumatic exposure and its associated self-reported severity together, experiencing death of a loved one and experiencing violence were significantly associated with FS onset, suggesting reduced time from trauma exposure to first FS. Death of a loved one in childhood is often overlooked as an influential risk factor for future development of serious mental illnesses such as FS. In this study we show death of a loved one in childhood should be considered as an influential traumatic experience and recommend FND researchers examine its prevalence in patient histories and the potential effects on attachment-related processes and clinical treatment formulations. We recommend future studies incorporate loss of a loved one during childhood (before age 18) in both quantitative and qualitative assessments of persons with FND.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meagan Watson
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA.
| | - Kimberlyn Cook
- Department of Environmental Health and Safety, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Stefan Sillau
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Elizabeth Greenwell
- Department of Community and Behavioral Health, Colorado School of Public Health, University of Colorado, Aurora, Colorado, USA
| | - Randi Libbon
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
| | - Laura Strom
- Department of Neurology, University of Colorado, Aurora, CO, USA
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Elshetihy A, Nergiz L, Cloppenborg T, Woermann FG, Müffelmann B, Bien CG. A complex case with generalized epilepsy, probable focal seizures, and functional seizures. Epilepsy Behav Rep 2024; 27:100684. [PMID: 38953098 PMCID: PMC11215947 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebr.2024.100684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 05/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
In this patient, now 42 years old, genetic generalized epilepsy (juvenile myoclonic epilepsy) manifested itself at the age of 13. At the age of 39, she experienced a status episode with prolonged ICU treatment. She was left with a left-sided hippocampal sclerosis and probably focal seizures. In addition, since the age of 24, the patient also experiences functional seizures on the background of a borderline personality disorder. While generalized epileptic seizures could be controlled with antiseizure medication (ASM), the patient was multiple times admitted to Emergency Departments for her functional seizures with subsequent intensive care treatments, including intubation. As a complication, the patient developed critical illness polyneuropathy and myopathy, resulting in wheelchair dependence. Additionally, she acquired a complex regional pain syndrome after extravasation of ASM. The report demonstrates the uncommon development of hippocampal sclerosis after a generalized tonic-clonic status epilepticus and the poor treatability of functional seizures as compared to generalized and focal seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed Elshetihy
- Dept. of Epileptology, Krankenhaus Mara, Bethel Epilepsy Center, Medical School OWL, Bielefeld University, Maraweg 21, 33617 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Lema Nergiz
- Dept. of Epileptology, Krankenhaus Mara, Bethel Epilepsy Center, Medical School OWL, Bielefeld University, Maraweg 21, 33617 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Thomas Cloppenborg
- Dept. of Epileptology, Krankenhaus Mara, Bethel Epilepsy Center, Medical School OWL, Bielefeld University, Maraweg 21, 33617 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Friedrich G. Woermann
- Dept. of Epileptology, Krankenhaus Mara, Bethel Epilepsy Center, Medical School OWL, Bielefeld University, Maraweg 21, 33617 Bielefeld, Germany
- Society for Epilepsy Research, Maraweg 21, 33617 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Birgitt Müffelmann
- Dept. of Epileptology, Krankenhaus Mara, Bethel Epilepsy Center, Medical School OWL, Bielefeld University, Maraweg 21, 33617 Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Christian G. Bien
- Dept. of Epileptology, Krankenhaus Mara, Bethel Epilepsy Center, Medical School OWL, Bielefeld University, Maraweg 21, 33617 Bielefeld, Germany
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Cengiz O, Jungilligens J, Michaelis R, Wellmer J, Popkirov S. Dissociative seizures in the emergency room: room for improvement. J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2024; 95:294-299. [PMID: 37758452 PMCID: PMC10958294 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2023-332063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dissociative seizures, also known as functional or psychogenic non-epileptic seizures, account for 11%-27% of all emergency seizure presentations. Misdiagnosis as epileptic seizures is common and leads to ineffective and potentially harmful treatment escalations. We assess the potential for diagnostic improvement at different stages of emergency workup and estimate the utility of benzodiazepines. METHODS A retrospective study of all emergency presentations with a discharge diagnosis of acute dissociative seizures seen at a university hospital 2010-2022 was performed to assess clinical characteristics and emergency decision-making. RESULTS Among 156 patients (73% female, median 29 years), 15% presented more than once for a total of 203 presentations. Half of seizures were ongoing at first medical contact; prolonged seizures and clusters were common (23% and 24%). Diagnostic accuracy differed between on-site emergency physicians and emergency department neurologists (12% vs 52%). Typical features such as eye closure, discontinuous course and asynchronous movements were common. Benzodiazepines were given in two-thirds of ongoing seizures, often in high doses and preferentially for major hyperkinetic semiology. Clinical response to benzodiazepines was mixed, with a minority of patients remaining either unaffected (16%) or becoming critically sedated (13%). A quarter of patients given benzodiazepines by emergency medical services were admitted to a monitoring unit, 9% were intubated. CONCLUSIONS Improved semiological assessment could reduce early misdiagnosis of dissociative seizures. Although some seizures seem to respond to benzodiazepines, critical sedation is common, and further studies are needed to assess the therapeutic ratio.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ozan Cengiz
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Johannes Jungilligens
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Rosa Michaelis
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Jörg Wellmer
- Ruhr-Epileptology, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Stoyan Popkirov
- Department of Neurology, University Hospital Knappschaftskrankenhaus Bochum, Bochum, Germany
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Johnson KL, Wood AJ, Hsia RY, Guterman EL. Characterizing emergency department and inpatient health care utilization after seizure-related hospitalization: A retrospective cohort study. Epilepsia 2024; 65:698-708. [PMID: 38226703 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/17/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Seizure care is a significant driver of health care costs in both emergency department (ED) and inpatient settings, but the majority of studies have focused on inpatient admissions as the only metric of health care utilization. This study aims to better characterize ED and inpatient encounters among patients with seizure to inform care and policy. METHODS Using statewide administrative data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project State Inpatient Databases and State Emergency Department Databases from Florida and New York, we identified patients with a seizure-related index hospitalization between January 1, 2016, and December 31, 2018. Among this cohort, we examined the incidence and characteristics of subsequent acute care visits in the ED and inpatient settings for 365 days after initial hospital discharge. RESULTS A total of 54 456 patients had an eligible seizure-related hospitalization. Patients were 49% female, predominantly White (64%) and non-Hispanic (84%), and used a public primary payer (68%). There were 36 838 (68%) patients with at least one acute care visit in the year following discharge. Overall, patients had a median of 2 (interquartile [IQR] = 1-5) subsequent acute care visits and the median time to first acute care visit was 53 days (IQR = 15-138). Of the 154 369 subsequent acute care visits, 97 399 (63%) were ED-only visits, 56 970 (37%) were readmissions, and 37 176 (24%) were seizure-related. There were 18 786 patients (35%) with four or more acute care visits over 365 days of follow-up. Patients with four or more visits contributed 84% of acute care visits and 78% of costs after initial hospitalization. SIGNIFICANCE The majority of patients hospitalized for seizure return to the ED or hospital at least once in the year after discharge. A small portion of patients account for the majority of ED and inpatient visits as well as health care costs associated with this population, identifying a subgroup of patients who may benefit from improved inpatient and outpatient management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristina L Johnson
- School of Public Health, University of California, Berkeley, Berkeley, California, USA
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Andrew J Wood
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Renee Y Hsia
- Department of Emergency Medicine, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Elan L Guterman
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Philip R. Lee Institute for Health Policy Studies, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
- Weill Institute for Neurosciences, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California, USA
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Abi-Nahed R, Li J, Carlier J, Birca V, Bérubé AA, Nguyen DK. Outcome of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures following diagnosis in the epilepsy monitoring unit. Front Neurol 2024; 15:1363459. [PMID: 38419704 PMCID: PMC10899437 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1363459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Objective To study the outcome of patients with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) after their diagnosis in the epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU). Methods Patients diagnosed in our EMU with definite PNES between January 2009 and May 2023 were contacted by phone, and those who agreed to participate were asked a set of predetermined questions. Comparative analyses were carried out on several variables before and after diagnosis: number of participants with daily PNES, number of visits to the emergency department, number of participants who consulted their general practitioner or a neurologist outside of a scheduled follow-up, number of participants who took antiseizure medications (ASMs) or psychotropic drugs, and employment status. Results Out of the 103 patients with a definite diagnosis of PNES, 61 patients (79% female) accepted to participate in our study. The median age at PNES onset was 35 years, and the median delay to diagnosis was 3 years. Almost two-thirds (62%) were receiving ASMs and 40% psychotropic drugs. The mean stay at the EMU was 5 days. PNES diagnosis was explained to almost all patients (97%) by the end of their EMU stay and was well-accepted by most (89%). When contacted, 46% of participants no longer had PNES; 32% mentioned that their PNES had ceased immediately upon communication of the diagnosis. The median follow-up duration was 51 months. Fewer patients had daily seizures after the diagnosis (18 vs. 38%; p < 0.0455). Similarly, the median number of emergency department visits was significantly lower (0 vs. 2; p < 0.001). Only 17 patients consulted their general practitioner (vs. 40, p < 0.001) and 20 a neurologist (vs. 55, p < 0.001) after a PNES attack outside of a scheduled follow-up. The use of ASMs was also significantly reduced from 70 to 33% (p < 0.01), with only one still taking an ASM for its antiseizure properties. Significantly more participants were working at last follow-up than at PNES diagnosis (49 vs. 25%; p < 0.001). Conclusion Our study revealed a relatively favorable long-term outcome of definite PNES diagnosed in the EMU that translated in significant reductions in PNES frequency, health care utilization and ASM use, as well as a significant increase in employment rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachelle Abi-Nahed
- Division of Neurology, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jimmy Li
- Division of Neurology, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Sherbrooke, Sherbrooke, QC, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jasmine Carlier
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Département de Neurosciences, Faculté de Médecine, Université of Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Véronica Birca
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Arline-Aude Bérubé
- Division of Neurology, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Dang Khoa Nguyen
- Division of Neurology, Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Centre de Recherche du Centre Hospitalier Universitaire de Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
- Département de Neurosciences, Faculté de Médecine, Université of Montréal, Montreal, QC, Canada
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Pontes Silva R, Gama Marques J. The homeless, seizures, and epilepsy: a review. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2023; 130:1281-1289. [PMID: 37606855 PMCID: PMC10480276 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-023-02685-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Accepted: 08/14/2023] [Indexed: 08/23/2023]
Abstract
This review aims to estimate the prevalence of seizures and epilepsy among homeless people in current literature as well as understand the main adversities that this group withstands. We conducted a search for "epilep*", "seizur*", and "homeles*" in titles and abstracts of articles in PubMed. Overall, 25 articles met the final inclusion criteria and warranted analyses. This study suggests that the prevalence of epilepsy in the homeless population is between 2 and 30%, whereas the prevalence of homelessness in people with epilepsy is between 2 and 4%. Every study included in this review corroborates the increased prevalence of seizures and epilepsy among the homeless, which puts them at risk for worse outcomes related to this condition and numerous associated comorbidities. Further evidence is needed to clarify the distinction of primary and secondary seizures in this group, which shows a high rate of confounding factors for seizures like substance abuse or withdrawal and head injury, and to decrease the burden of epilepsy and homelessness in an already resource-deficient community.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Pontes Silva
- Clínica Universitária de Psiquiatria e Psicologia Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - João Gama Marques
- Clínica Universitária de Psiquiatria e Psicologia Médica, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Consulta de Esquizofrenia Resistente, Hospital Júlio de Matos, Centro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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Fox J, Reddy SB, Nobis WP. 30-Day readmission rates in pediatric patients with functional seizures. Epilepsy Behav 2022; 137:108956. [PMID: 36327644 PMCID: PMC9960149 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.108956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/21/2022] [Revised: 09/30/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To ascertain the rates of 30-day readmissions and emergency department presentations among pediatric patients with an index admission for functional seizures. METHOD A retrospective chart review of pediatric patients with an index discharge from the pediatric epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU) or general neurology service for functional seizures. Data collected included demographics, comorbidities, risk factors, and treatment during the index admission. RESULTS A total of one hundred and two patients were included, of which nearly one in five had a 30-day readmission or emergency department presentation. Index admission to the general neurology service was independently associated with more re-presentations to the hospital (t = 3.26, p < 0.0015). The univariate analysis indicated that cognitive impairment and autism were associated with a lower likelihood of readmission, while a neurology referral and being started on an anti-seizure medication were associated with a greater likelihood of readmission. CONCLUSION A substantial proportion of pediatric patients with FS return to the hospital within 30 days of discharge. Our data suggest that patients admitted to the EMU service have a lower likelihood of readmission. We speculate that this may be due to differences in patient clinical characteristics as well as the comprehensiveness of the diagnostic evaluation and management in the EMU compared to the general neurology service.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonah Fox
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States.
| | - Shilpa B Reddy
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Monroe Carell Jr. Children's Hospital at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
| | - William P Nobis
- Department of Neurology, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, United States
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