Recurrence rate of seizure following discontinuation of anti-epileptic drugs in patients with normal long term electroencephalography
Background: The usefulness of electroencephalography (EEG) in predicting seizure recurrence after antiepileptic drugs (AED) tapering is a controversial subject. There have been no studies which tested the additional yield of long-term over routine EEG recordings in predicting seizure recurrence afte...
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Format: | Article |
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Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2014-01-01
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Series: | Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology |
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Online Access: | http://www.annalsofian.org/article.asp?issn=0972-2327;year=2014;volume=17;issue=3;spage=277;epage=280;aulast=Gafoor |
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author | V Abdul Gafoor Kondanath Saifudheen James Jose |
author_facet | V Abdul Gafoor Kondanath Saifudheen James Jose |
author_sort | V Abdul Gafoor |
collection | DOAJ |
description | Background: The usefulness of electroencephalography (EEG) in predicting seizure recurrence after antiepileptic drugs (AED) tapering is a controversial subject. There have been no studies which tested the additional yield of long-term over routine EEG recordings in predicting seizure recurrence after AED withdrawal. Objective: The primary objective of our study is to determine the recurrence rate of seizure following AED withdrawal in patients with focal epilepsy, unknown cause who had normal long-term electroencephalography (LTEEG) and secondary objective is to analyze the variables that would predict seizure recurrence. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational study. A total of 91 patients were included. 62 patients who had normal routine and LTEEG entered the final phase of the study were followed-up regularly for 1 year or until seizure recurrence whichever was earlier. Results: A total number of 91 patients were enrolled for the first phase of the study. Of these, 13 (14.29%) patients had an abnormal routine EEG. Of the remaining patients, another 16 (17.58%) had abnormal LTEEG. The remaining 62 patients with normal routine and long-term EEG entered the final phase of the study. Of these, 17 patients (27.41%) had seizure recurrence during the follow-up while 45 (72.58%) remained seizure free until the end of the 1 year follow-up. The significant variables associated with a higher risk of seizure relapse were a positive past history of seizure recurrence on prior drug withdrawal (relative risk: 2.19, confidence interval: 1.01-4.74, P < 0.05) and the duration of epilepsy until seizure control was achieved (P < 0.009). Conclusions: The recurrence rate of seizure in patients with a normal LTEEG is 27.41%. A positive past history of seizure recurrence and a longer time to achieve seizure freedom with AED increased the risk of seizure recurrence. |
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issn | 0972-2327 1998-3549 |
language | English |
last_indexed | 2024-12-13T18:33:09Z |
publishDate | 2014-01-01 |
publisher | Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications |
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series | Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology |
spelling | doaj.art-0e7d131cc0f84beeaed350d5b5b09ba02022-12-21T23:35:25ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsAnnals of Indian Academy of Neurology0972-23271998-35492014-01-0117327728010.4103/0972-2327.138492Recurrence rate of seizure following discontinuation of anti-epileptic drugs in patients with normal long term electroencephalographyV Abdul GafoorKondanath SaifudheenJames JoseBackground: The usefulness of electroencephalography (EEG) in predicting seizure recurrence after antiepileptic drugs (AED) tapering is a controversial subject. There have been no studies which tested the additional yield of long-term over routine EEG recordings in predicting seizure recurrence after AED withdrawal. Objective: The primary objective of our study is to determine the recurrence rate of seizure following AED withdrawal in patients with focal epilepsy, unknown cause who had normal long-term electroencephalography (LTEEG) and secondary objective is to analyze the variables that would predict seizure recurrence. Materials and Methods: This was a prospective observational study. A total of 91 patients were included. 62 patients who had normal routine and LTEEG entered the final phase of the study were followed-up regularly for 1 year or until seizure recurrence whichever was earlier. Results: A total number of 91 patients were enrolled for the first phase of the study. Of these, 13 (14.29%) patients had an abnormal routine EEG. Of the remaining patients, another 16 (17.58%) had abnormal LTEEG. The remaining 62 patients with normal routine and long-term EEG entered the final phase of the study. Of these, 17 patients (27.41%) had seizure recurrence during the follow-up while 45 (72.58%) remained seizure free until the end of the 1 year follow-up. The significant variables associated with a higher risk of seizure relapse were a positive past history of seizure recurrence on prior drug withdrawal (relative risk: 2.19, confidence interval: 1.01-4.74, P < 0.05) and the duration of epilepsy until seizure control was achieved (P < 0.009). Conclusions: The recurrence rate of seizure in patients with a normal LTEEG is 27.41%. A positive past history of seizure recurrence and a longer time to achieve seizure freedom with AED increased the risk of seizure recurrence.http://www.annalsofian.org/article.asp?issn=0972-2327;year=2014;volume=17;issue=3;spage=277;epage=280;aulast=GafoorAntiepileptic drugselectroencephalographyepilepsy |
spellingShingle | V Abdul Gafoor Kondanath Saifudheen James Jose Recurrence rate of seizure following discontinuation of anti-epileptic drugs in patients with normal long term electroencephalography Annals of Indian Academy of Neurology Antiepileptic drugs electroencephalography epilepsy |
title | Recurrence rate of seizure following discontinuation of anti-epileptic drugs in patients with normal long term electroencephalography |
title_full | Recurrence rate of seizure following discontinuation of anti-epileptic drugs in patients with normal long term electroencephalography |
title_fullStr | Recurrence rate of seizure following discontinuation of anti-epileptic drugs in patients with normal long term electroencephalography |
title_full_unstemmed | Recurrence rate of seizure following discontinuation of anti-epileptic drugs in patients with normal long term electroencephalography |
title_short | Recurrence rate of seizure following discontinuation of anti-epileptic drugs in patients with normal long term electroencephalography |
title_sort | recurrence rate of seizure following discontinuation of anti epileptic drugs in patients with normal long term electroencephalography |
topic | Antiepileptic drugs electroencephalography epilepsy |
url | http://www.annalsofian.org/article.asp?issn=0972-2327;year=2014;volume=17;issue=3;spage=277;epage=280;aulast=Gafoor |
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