Sepsis Linked to Elevated Risk for New-Onset Epilepsy in Young Individuals
Patients with sepsis, particularly younger patients and those with chronic kidney disease, may be at an elevated risk for new-onset epilepsy, according to research presented at the 2019 American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting, held December 6-10, 2019, in Baltimore, Maryland.
Researchers conducted a population-based, retrospective, matched-cohort study to estimate the risk for new-onset epilepsy among patients hospitalized in the intensive care unit (ICU) for sepsis treatment. Researchers collected data from the patients in the Discharge Abstract Database between 2010 and 2015.
“These findings indicate that sepsis may be an unrecognized epilepsy risk factor,” the researchers concluded. “Possible mechanisms include damage to the blood-brain barrier as a result of renal dysfunction, persisting inflammation after the acute episode, and increased risk of cardiovascular events following sepsis.”
Variable Long-Term Cognitive Changes in Pediatric Epilepsy
Children with pediatric epilepsy who undergo surgery may experience changes in verbal and nonverbal IQ, particularly when associated with abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG), according to research presented at the 2019 American Epilepsy Society Annual Meeting.
Researchers sought to assess the long-term, postsurgery cognitive outcomes of patients with pediatric epilepsy. Investigators assessed 24 participants, all of whom had pharmacoresistant epilepsy. Participants underwent a neuropsychological evaluation that included intellectual functioning assessments (overall IQ, verbal IQ, and nonverbal IQ), as well as an evaluation of postsurgical seizure status.
Teenagers With Epilepsy Frequently Post Online Messages Related to Suicide
Using artificial tools to collect and analyze conversations and comments about epilepsy posted online, researchers revealed that 7.8% of all posts by teenagers with epilepsy were related to suicide, compared with 3.2% of adult posts, according to study results presented at the American Epilepsy Society 2019 Annual Meeting.
Previous studies have reported that roughly 30%-50% of patients with epilepsy may suffer from depression and the incidence of suicide in this population was found to be approximately 12%, which is 22% higher than the general population.2 The goal of the current study was to assess the major motivations for suicide thoughts among teenagers and adults with epilepsy, using artificial tools to analyze online conversations.
Apnea and Arrhythmia Associated With Increased Mortality Among Patients With Epilepsy
Cardiac arrhythmias with or without apnea among patients with epilepsy are associated with increased mortality risk. This risk may play an important role in cases of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), according to study results presents at the American Epilepsy Society 2019 Annual Meeting.
Previous studies have reported that cardiac arrhythmias and apnea may play a significant part in cases of SUDEP, the second most common cause potential life-years lost in patients with epilepsy. The incidence rate of SUDEP is 1.16 cases per 1000 patients, but may be higher in those with intractable epilepsy.