Seizure Frequencies and Number of Anti-epileptic Drugs as Risk Factors for Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy
Journal of Korean Medical Science
;
: 788-792, 2015.
Article
in English
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-146118
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between clinical variables and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) and identify risk factors for SUDEP. SUDEP is one of the most frequent causes of death in patients with epilepsy. Previous studies have reported possible risk factors associated with SUDEP, but there need to be elucidated yet. The cases were 26 patients with SUDEP and three control patients were included for each case, matched for age, sex, and date of initial clinical visit. All demographic and clinical characteristics, including age, sex, disease duration, classification of epilepsy, age at seizure onset, kind and number of antiepileptic drugs, were compared between cases and controls. Seizure frequency was higher in SUDEP cases than in controls (P=0.035). Univariate analysis using conditional logistic regression showed that higher seizure frequency (odds ratio [OR]=3.1, P=0.021) and the number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) (OR=2.0, P=0.009) were significantly associated with SUDEP. Only the number of AEDs remained significant in multivariate analysis (OR=1.8, P=0.026). Frequent seizures and multi-drug therapy were associated with SUDEP. This may suggest that the severity of epilepsy is associated with SUDEP, regardless of the type of AED used.
Full text:
Available
Index:
WPRIM (Western Pacific)
Main subject:
Recurrence
/
Incidence
/
Survival Rate
/
Risk Factors
/
Sex Distribution
/
Age Distribution
/
Death, Sudden
/
Epilepsy
/
Republic of Korea
/
Anticonvulsants
Type of study:
Etiology study
/
Incidence study
/
Prognostic study
/
Risk factors
Limits:
Adult
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
Country/Region as subject:
Asia
Language:
English
Journal:
Journal of Korean Medical Science
Year:
2015
Type:
Article
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS