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Outcomes of newly diagnosed idiopathic generalized epilepsy syndromes in a non‐pediatric setting
Author(s) -
Mohanraj R.,
Brodie M. J.
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
acta neurologica scandinavica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.967
H-Index - 95
eISSN - 1600-0404
pISSN - 0001-6314
DOI - 10.1111/j.1600-0404.2006.00791.x
Subject(s) - juvenile myoclonic epilepsy , idiopathic generalized epilepsy , lamotrigine , medicine , epilepsy , pediatrics , generalized epilepsy , cohort , family history , epilepsy syndromes , myoclonic epilepsy , levetiracetam , cohort study , psychiatry
– The prognosis of idiopathic generalized epilepsy syndromes (IGES) in the adult setting may vary from that in children owing to differences in genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. Methods – All patients diagnosed with epilepsy at the Epilepsy Unit, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, between 1981 and 2001 were reviewed. Results – Of 890 patients, 118 (13%) met the criteria for IGES. Outcomes were known for 103, 66 (64%) of whom achieved remission. The responder rate with sodium valproate was superior (66% vs 45%, P = 0.073) to that with lamotrigine (LTG) particularly in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsies (75% vs 39%, P = 0.014). History of febrile seizures was the only factor associated with reduced likelihood of remission ( P = 0.032) Conclusions – Idiopathic generalized epilepsy syndromes constituted 13% of cases in a largely adult cohort of newly diagnosed epilepsy, most of whom achieved remission usually with a single antiepileptic drug. History of febrile seizures was associated with a poorer outcome.