Seizure Freedom for One Year Cuts Death Risk in Epilepsy

Source: Epilepsia

Summary

Researchers studied the impact of achieving one year of seizure freedom on the risk of premature death among people with epilepsy living in rural Henan, China. The study involved 610 participants who were followed for ten years, starting from 2010. The researchers collected data on their health, demographics, and causes of death to understand how seizure control affects mortality rates in this population.

The key findings showed that people with epilepsy who managed to be seizure-free for at least one year had a significantly lower risk of dying compared to those who did not achieve this milestone. Specifically, those who experienced seizure freedom had a 70% lower chance of dying from any cause and a similar reduction in the risk of dying from epilepsy-related issues. This effect was particularly strong among women, older adults, and those without other health problems.

These findings are important because they highlight the benefits of controlling seizures, especially in low-income areas where resources may be limited. However, the study also noted that the overall mortality rate for people with epilepsy in this group was still more than double that of the general population, with sudden deaths being a major concern. This suggests that while achieving seizure freedom is beneficial, there are still significant health risks for people with epilepsy that need to be addressed.

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