Short-term outcome of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures after communication of the diagnosis

R. Mayor, R. J. Brown, H. Cock, A. House, S. Howlett, S. Singhal, P. Smith, M. Reuber

    Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

    Abstract

    We previously described a communication strategy for the delivery of the diagnosis of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) that was acceptable and effective at communicating the psychological cause of PNES. This prospective multicenter study describes the short-term seizure and psychosocial outcomes after the communication of the diagnosis and with no additional treatment. Participants completed self-report measures at baseline, two and six months after the diagnosis (seizure frequency, HRQoL, health care utilization, activity levels, symptom attributions and levels of functioning). Thirty-six participants completed the self-report questionnaires. A further eight provided seizure frequency data. After six months, the median seizure frequency had dropped from 10 to 7.5 per month (p = 0.9), 7/44 participants (16%) were seizure-free, and an additional 10/44 (23%) showed greater than 50% improvement in seizure frequency. Baseline questionnaire measures demonstrated high levels of impairment, which had not improved at follow-up. The lack of change in self-report measures illustrates the need for further interventions in this patient group. © 2012 Elsevier Inc.
    Original languageEnglish
    Pages (from-to)676-681
    Number of pages5
    JournalEpilepsy and Behavior
    Volume25
    Issue number4
    DOIs
    Publication statusPublished - Dec 2012

    Keywords

    • Diagnosis
    • Non-epileptic attack disorder
    • Outcome research
    • Prognosis
    • Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures
    • Quality of life

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