099 A retrospective study of mortality rates in a video-EEG telemetry patient cohort. Issue 12 (14th November 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mirza, Farhat; Cahill, Varduhi; Cooper, Paul; Mohanraj, Rajiv
• Is Part Of: Journal of neurology, neurosurgery and psychiatry. Volume 90:Issue 12(2019)
• Page Start: e30
• Page End: e30
• Publication Date: 2019-11-14
• Subjects: Neurology -- Periodicals; Nervous system -- Surgery -- Periodicals; Psychiatry -- Periodicals; 616.8
• DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2019-ABN-2.100
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0022-3050

Abstract

Abstract : Rationale: Despite emerging evidence of altered brain connectivity patterns in patients with non-epileptic attack disorder (NEAD), studies on the mortality rates in these patients remain scarce. Methods: Mortality data was studied retrospectively in a cohort of patients admitted for video-telemetry evaluation at the Manchester Centre for Clinical Neurosciences from 2009 to 2019. The diagnosis of NEAD, epilepsy or both was confirmed by the consensus opinion of experienced epileptologists. Mortality and cause of death were identified from the death alert system linked to the Electronic Patient Record and from coroners' reports, where available. Results: Out of 693 patients 662 were included in the study analyses. Death was registered in 23 patients, 82.6% of whom suffered with epilepsy and 17.4% with NEAD. In epilepsy patients, sudden unexpected death was recorded in 42.1%, death from other medical conditions in 52.6% and death from external causes - in 5.3%. In the NEAD group, the causes of death included iatrogenic and other medical conditions. Conclusions: Mortality rates in the NEAD group of patients are not negligible. With NEAD patients being at risk of unnecessary iatrogenic interventions, increased awareness of the heightened mortality rates in this patient cohort could avert preventable deaths.