Lukić S, Stojanov A. Seizure or syncope: Is the history-based scale feasible to use in an emergency department setting?
Australas Emerg Care 2024;
27:142-147. [PMID:
38057243 DOI:
10.1016/j.auec.2023.11.002]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
This study aimed to assess the efficacy of a screening questionnaire, based on historical criteria, in distinguishing between seizures and syncope in patients experiencing their first episode of transient loss of consciousness (TLOC) in a neurology emergency department.
METHODS
A prospective cohort of 159 patients with initial TLOC episodes underwent clinical observation and answered a nine-question screening questionnaire. The questionnaire's predictive ability was compared to final diagnoses determined through detailed neurology, electrophysiology, and cardiology assessments during a minimum 12-month follow-up. Logistic regression (LR) analysis was performed with final diagnosis as the outcome variable. The calibration and discrimination of the models were assessed.
RESULTS
revealed that the screening score accurately classified 72.33% of patients. Among those with positive screening scores, 65 (67.71%) had seizures compared to 31 (32.29%) with syncope. Introducing a novel risk-scoring model incorporating age and gender, in addition to the screening score, significantly improved performance achieving an accurate classification rate of 81.48%. Among patients with a positive prediction, 63 (80.77%) had seizure, whereas 15 (19.23%) had syncope.
CONCLUSIONS
Employing a structured questionnaire based on common historical criteria is a valuable tool for distinguishing between seizure and syncope in the dynamic setting of the emergency department.
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