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 language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 676-681 |
Number of pages | 5 |
Journal | Epilepsy and Behavior |
Volume | 25 |
Issue number | 4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Dec 2012 |
Keywords
- Diagnosis
- Non-epileptic attack disorder
- Outcome research
- Prognosis
- Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures
- Quality of life