Identify Risk Factors for Sudden Death in Epilepsy
⚠️ SUDEP: If you have concerns, speak with your clinician about risk and safety planning.
Source: Lancet (London, England)
Summary
This study looked at sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), which is a major cause of death related to epilepsy. Researchers followed 2,632 children and adults with epilepsy from nine centers, mostly in the USA, to find out what factors might increase the risk of SUDEP. Participants were monitored using video and EEG technology, and their health was tracked over time to gather information about their seizures and overall health.
The key findings showed that certain factors were linked to a higher risk of SUDEP. People who lived alone, had three or more convulsive seizures in the past year, and experienced longer periods of not breathing during or after seizures were at greater risk. Specifically, longer times of not breathing during seizures (ictal central apnoea) and after seizures (postictal central apnoea) were significant risk markers. In total, 38 participants died from SUDEP during the study.
Understanding these risk factors is important because it can help doctors identify individuals who may be at higher risk for SUDEP and guide them in managing their epilepsy more effectively. However, the study has limitations, such as the small number of SUDEP cases and the fact that it was conducted in specific centers, which may not represent all people with epilepsy. More research is needed to confirm these findings and develop better ways to assess and reduce the risk of SUDEP.
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