This document provides an overview of epilepsy presented by Dr. KD Dele Ijagbulu. It discusses the introduction and epidemiology of epilepsy, defining it as a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures. It then covers the impact of epilepsy on quality of life, including risks of death from seizures, difficulties with accurate diagnosis, and challenges with medication and treatment options. The document also addresses the aetiology, pathophysiology, classification, diagnosis and differential diagnosis of epilepsy.
5. IMPACT OF EPILEPSY ON QUALITY OF LIFE
• Epilepsy affects all age
• No sex difference, however it is often underreported among females.
• It is a common and one of the most disabling neurological disorders.
• Epilepsy can substantially impair quality of life owing to seizures, comorbid
mood and psychiatric disorders, cognitive deficits and adverse effects of
medications.
6. IMPACT OF EPILEPSY ON QUALITY OF LIFE
• Seizures can be fatal owing to direct effects on autonomic and arousal
functions or owing to indirect effects such as drowning and other
accidents.
• The accurate diagnosis of seizures is essential as misdiagnosis and
inaccurate medication often have severe consequences.
• Although many patients have seizure control using a single medication,
others require multiple medications, resective surgery, neuromodulation
devices or dietary therapies.Also or clinical trials of new ASDs
7. IMPACT OF EPILEPSY ON QUALITY OF LIFE
• Epilepsy can be a significant burden for patients and caregivers.
• Adverse effects (by the condition and the medications) contribute to
decreased quality of life.
• One-third of patients will continue to have uncontrolled seizures.
• Children and adolescents who are trying to be socially accepted have
increased difficulty e.g. when their AED cause sedation
8. IMPACT OF EPILEPSY ON QUALITY OF LIFE
• There have been different moves to reduce stigma associated with
epilepsy
• For example, changing the nomenclature: It is strongly encouraged to
discontinue the use of the term epileptic to reduce stigma;
• however, antiepileptic drug (AED) remains the terminology used in the
literature; however, newer literatures are beginning to use the term “Anti-
seizure drugs” (ASD)
9. IMPACT OF EPILEPSY ON QUALITY OF LIFE
• For many patients, seizures can remit; however some might relapse after
remission.
• Epilepsy is considered resolved when
• an individual is seizure free and older than the applicable age for an
age-dependent epilepsy syndrome, or,
• when the person has remained seizure free for ≥10 years with no anti-
seizure medication for the past 5 years
10. IMPACT OF EPILEPSY ON QUALITY OF LIFE
• The loss of driving privileges
• Social stigma
• Employment difficulties
• Loss of marriage, and other relationships
• Wrong diagnosis of epilepsy (common) leads to the improper use of anti-
seizure medications leading to anti-seizure-drug-associated adverse effects,
including inducing further seizures
11. EPIDEMIOLOGY
• Almost 10% of people will experience a seizure during their lives.
• Epilepsy is the third leading contributor to the global burden of disease
for neurological disorders and affects 65 million people worldwide.
• the prevalence of epilepsy is 6.4 cases per 1,000 persons and the annual
incidence is 67.8 cases per 100,000 person-years
• Both prevalence and incidence are higher in low-income and middle-
income countries (LMICs) than in high-income countries, however
underreported due to stigma associated, mostly among women.
12.
13. EPIDEMIOLOGY
• The incidence of epilepsy is bimodal: highest in younger age groups (for
example, in infancy and early childhood) and in older age groups (for
example, more than 50–60 years of age).
• Whereas the prevalence tends to be lowest in infants and children,
increases in early adulthood – midlife and decreases later in life.
• The higher prevalence of Epilepsy in LMICs is believed to be partly due to
a higher frequency of traffic accidents, birth injuries and neuroinfectious
disorders (such as neurocysticercosis) that can cause epilepsy in LMICs
14. Incidence of epilepsy by age—composite of 12 studies in developed countries, 1988–2005.. SOURCE:
Thurman, 2011. https://www.nap.edu/read/13379/chapter/3#26
15. estimated number of patients in Scotland consulting a GP or practice nurse at least once in the financial year 2012/13.
https://www.isdscotland.org/Health-topics/General-practice/Gp-consultations/Health-Conditions/Epilepsy/index.asp
20. CAUSES OF EPILEPSY…
• Other causes include primary CNS dysfunction or underlying metabolic
derangement or systemic diseases
• Common causes:
• In children, congenital and genetic causes
• In young adult, tumours, alcohol and drugs
• In elderly, cerebrovascular diseases
21. CAUSES ACCORDINGTO AGE
• Neonates
• Perinatal hypoxia and ischaemia
• Intracranial haemorrhage/trauma
• Acute CNS infection
• Metabolic disturbance (hypo – glycaemia, calcaemia and magnesaemia;
pyridoxine deficiency)
• Drug withdrawal
• Developmental disorders
• Genetic disorders
24. CAUSES ACCORDINGTO AGE
• 18-35yrs
• Trauma
• Alcohol withdrawal
• Illicit drug use
• Brain tumour
• Idiopathic
25. MORTALITY
EPILEPSY CAN BE LETHAL DUETO THE DIRECT & INDIRECT EFFECTS
OF SEIZURES
• THE DIRECT EFFECTS: e.g.
• sudden unexpected death in epilepsy
• status epilepticus
• Accidents such as : drowning motor
vehicle accidents, falls and burns
• THE INDIRECT EFFECTS: e.g.
• aspiration pneumonia,
• suicide 5-25x more in epileptics
• adverse effects of ASDs or psychiatric
drugs, such as obesity and
cardiovascular side effects
27. PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
• The spread of electrical activity between cortical neurones is normally
restricted.
• Synchronous discharge of neurones in normal brain takes place in small groups
only.
• During a seizure, large groups of neurones are activated repetitively and hyper-
synchronously,There is failure of inhibitory synaptic contact between neurones.
• This causes high voltage spike-and-wave activity on EEG.
28. Epilepsy and inflammation in the brain. https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Epilepsy-and-inflammation-in-
the-brain%3A-overview-Vezzani/86351e1c5e25a373c2b3b13977efd2ec679cfa7a
30. HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES
• For over 35 years, the terms partial and generalized seizures were used to
describe types of seizures:
• Partial (seizures starting in one area or side of the brain) and
• Generalized (seizures starting in both sides of the brain at the same time).
• Partial seizures were further classifies into
• Simple partial seizures (Person is aware of what happens during the event.)
• Complex partial seizures: (Person has some impaired awareness during the
seizure.)
31. CLASSIFICATION
1. Seizures may present with a variety of symptoms, and awareness may be
either intact or impaired.
2. Seizures are further described by the presence of motor movements,
including automatisms or other motor activity, and by nonmotor onset
symptoms, including sensory or autonomic symptoms.
32. CLASSIFICATION
• Seizure onset can be :
• Focal: when abnormal neuronal activity arises in one or more localized
brain regions or hemisphere;
• Generalized: when abnormal neuronal activity begins in a widespread
distribution over both hemispheres; or
• Of unknown onset: if the available clinical and laboratory data cannot
identify whether the onset is focal or generalized.
33. CLASSIFICATION
• The International League against Epilepsy (ILAE) published in the April
2017 edition of Epilepsia three companion articles on the classification of
seizures and the epilepsies,
• (These represent a long-awaited update on the original 1981 and 1989
classifications).
• The new classification provide a modern descriptive template for epilepsy;
by using more accessible, transparent language suitable for clinicians,
scientists, and patients
34. CLASSIFICATION
• The new classification presents three levels of terminology, involving
1. Where seizures begin in the brain
2. Level of awareness during a seizure
3. Other features of seizures – e.g. motor vs non-motor.
35. The management of epilepsy in children and adults by Perucca P, et al. MJA 208 (5) j 19 March 2018
37. The management of epilepsy in children and adults by Perucca P, et al. MJA 208 (5) j 19 March 2018
38. ONSET: DEFINING WHERE SEIZURES BEGIN
• The first step is to separate seizures by how they begin in the brain.
• The type of seizure onset is important because it affects choice of seizure
medication, possibilities for epilepsy surgery, outlook, and possible causes.
39. ONSET: DEFINING WHERE SEIZURES BEGIN
• Focal seizures: Previously called partial seizures, these start in an area or network of
cells on one side of the brain.
• Generalized seizures: Previously called primary generalized, these engage or involve
networks on both sides of the brain at the onset.
• Unknown onset: If the onset of a seizure is not known, the seizure falls into the
unknown onset category. Later on, the seizure type can be changed if the beginning of a
person’s seizures becomes clear.
• Focal to bilateral seizure: A seizure that starts in one side or part of the brain and
spreads to both sides has been called a secondary generalized seizures.The new term for
secondary generalized seizure would be a focal to bilateral seizure. (Now the term
generalized refers only to the start of a seizure. )
40. DESCRIBING AWARENESS
• Whether a person is aware during a seizure is of practical importance
• This is because it is one of the main factors affecting a person’s safety
during a seizure.
• Awareness is used instead of consciousness, because it is simpler to
evaluate.
41. DESCRIBING AWARENESS
• Focal aware: If awareness remains intact, even if the person is unable to talk or respond
during a seizure, the seizure would be called a focal aware seizure.This replaces the term
simple partial.
• Focal impaired awareness: If awareness is impaired or affected at any time during a seizure,
even if a person has a vague idea of what happened, the seizure would be called focal impaired
awareness.This replaces the term complex partial seizure.
• Awareness unknown: Sometimes it’s not possible to know if a person is aware or not, for
example if a person lives alone or has seizures only at night
• Generalized seizures: These are all presumed to affect a person’s awareness or
consciousness in some way.Thus no special terms are needed to describe awareness in
generalized seizures.
42. OTHER FEATURES OF SEIZURES
• Many other symptoms may occur during a seizure.
• In this basic system, seizure behaviours are separated into groups that
involve movement.
43. 1. DESCRIBING MOTOR AND OTHER SYMPTOMS IN
FOCAL SEIZURES
• Focal motor seizure: This means that some type of movement occurs during the event.
For example twitching, jerking, or stiffening movements of a body part or automatisms
(automatic movements such as licking lips, rubbing hands, walking, or running).
• Focal non-motor seizure: This type of seizure has other symptoms that occur first, such
as changes in sensation, emotions, thinking, or experiences. It is also possible for a focal
aware or impaired awareness seizure to be sub-classified as motor or non-motor onset.
• Auras: The term aura, which describes symptoms a person may feel in the beginning of a
seizure, is not in the new classification.Yet people may continue to use this term. It’s
important to know that in most cases, these early symptoms may be the start of a seizure
44. 1. DESCRIBING MOTOR AND OTHER SYMPTOMS IN
FOCAL SEIZURES
MOTOR ONSET
• automatisms
• atonic
• clonic
• epileptic spasms
• hyperkinetic
• myoclonic
• tonic
NON-MOTOR ONSET
• autonomic
• behaviour arrest
• cognitive
• emotional
• sensory
45. 2. DESCRIBING GENERALIZED ONSET SEIZURES
• Generalized onset seizures can be motor or non-motor.
• Generalized motor seizure:
• The generalized tonic-clonic seizure term is still used to describe seizures with stiffening (tonic)
and jerking (clonic).This loosely corresponds to “grand mal.” Other forms of generalized motor
seizures may happen. Many of these terms have not changed, and a few new terms have been
added. (see image below)
• Generalized non-motor seizure:
• These are primarily absence seizures, and the term corresponds to the old term "petit mal."
These seizures involve brief changes in awareness, staring, and some may have automatic or
repeated movements like lip-smacking.
50. DIAGNOSIS
• Often over-diagnosed
• Diagnosis is essentially clinical
• Description of the seizure provided by an eye witness (MOST seizures)
• Sometimes patient self especially in partial onset
• Good history and examination
• Generally no place for a therapeutic trial
51. DIAGNOSIS/CASE DEFINITION
• The case definition of epilepsy, based on combined clinical and epidemiological
evidence, includes the following:
• Patients with two or more unprovoked or reflex seizures that are >24 hours
apart;
• Patients with one unprovoked or reflex seizure and who have a ≥60% chance of
further seizures over the following 10 years, e.g. patients with a known structural
lesion such as stroke, severe traumatic brain injury or brain infection
• Patients with one or more seizures in the context of a well-defined epilepsy
syndrome (for example, childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes)
52. NEUROLOGICAL DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS
EPILEPTIC SEIZURES ARE OFTEN CONFUSED WITH OTHER PHYSIOLOGICAL
DISORDERS AND PSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS
• Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
• Breath-holding attacks
• Daydreaming
• Migraine
• Parasomnias (such as REM sleep
behaviour disorder)
• Narcolepsy and/or cataplexy
• Syncope; tics
• Periodic leg movements during sleep
• Panic attacks
• Paroxysmal dyskinesia
• Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures
• Sleep apnoea
• Transient global amnesia. and
• Transient ischaemic attacks
55. LIFESTYLE MODIFICATION
AVOID FACTORS THAT COULD LOWER SEIZURE THRESHOLD
• Stress
• Alcohol use or withdrawal
• Dehydration
• Drugs & drug interactions
• Photosensitive stimuli (flashing TV
program or computer games)
• Hyperventilation
• Diet & missing meals
• Sleep deprivation
• Extreme fatigue
• Systemic infections
56. LIFESTYLE MODIFICATION
• Never stop anti-epileptic drug suddenly or omit dose
• Avoid potential harmful situations
• Avoid heights & open fires
• Prefer showering to bathing
• Prefer microwave cooking to gas or electric hobs
• Avoid swimming alone
• Avoid cycling on a busy road
• Avoid solo canoeing
57. EDUCATION
• Understand epilepsy
• Keep a seizure chart
• Keep a pill box to facilitate daily medication
• Obtain a Medic Alert kit
• Know the name and the dose of the drugs prescribed, and the frequency
of dosing and the necessity of regular ongoing use
• Refrain from driving
58. CLINICAL APPROACH: EMERGENCY MEASURES
• ABCDE & Manage
• Airway
• FMO2,
• Left lateral position
• HGT,
• Valium 10mg/Ativan 4mg IVI stat
59. HISTORY
• Main complaint
• Description of seizure
• Duration
• Frequency
• Prev. seizures
• History of trauma
• Associated symptoms
• Past Medical History
• HPT/IHD/AF – Cerebrovascular disease
• DM – Hypoglycaemia
• Social history
• Alcohol – trigger
• Smoking – CVA risk
• Illicit drugs
• Family history of epilepsy (increasedrisk of
recurrence)
60. EXAMINATION
• Vitals, Saturations
• JACCOLD
• Systemic examination focusing on Neurological exam
• Exclude focal signs
• Check orientation and level of consciousness
• Check for signs of injury
61. SIDE ROOM/SPECIAL INVESTIGATIONS
• HGT
• FBC
• UEC
• CMP
• LFTs
• Toxic screen/Anti-epileptic levels
• ECG
• CT Brain / MRI
• EEG
• Individualise your patient, based on
history and examination findings
64. ANTIEPILEPTIC DRUGS
• Principles
• Start low, go slow
• Monitor levels
• Inform of side-effects
• Refractory Epilepsy: Add second drug with different mechanism of
action
65.
66. FIRST GENERATION AEDS: EFFICACY
AED EFFICACY SPECTRUM
Valproic acid All seizure types
Benzodiazepines All seizure types
Phenobarbital Most seizure types
Carbamazepine Focal seizures and generalised tonic-clonic seizures
Phenytoin Focal seizures and generalised tonic-clonic seizures
Ethosuximide Absence seizures
Primidone Most seizure types
67. SECOND GENERATION AEDS: EFFICACY
AED EFFICACY SPECTRUM
Lamotrigine Most seizure types
Gabapentin Focal seizures
Oxcarbazepine Focal seizures and generalised tonic-clonic seizures
Topiramate Most seizure types
Vigabatrin Focal seizures and infantile spasm
Pregabalin Focal seizures
Brivaracetam Focal seizures
71. WOMEN’S HEALTH
• The highest risk of major congenital malformations is with exposure to
valproate, which has an odds ratio of 6.7–9.3,
• Exposure to carbamazepine, lamotrigine, levetiracetam, or phenytoin resulted in
a risk of major congenital malformations with odds ratios of 2–3 with a 95% CI
of 1.2–5.
• There is a greater risk with exposure to phenobarbital and topiramate (OR 4.2–
5.5; 95% CI, 2.4–9.7).
• Beyond teratogenicity risk, in utero exposure to valproate results in reduced
neurocognitive abilities and low IQ.
Meador KJ, Loring DW. (2016). Developmental effects of antiepileptic drugs and the need for
improved regulations. Neurology 2016;86:297-306.
72. WOMEN’S HEALTH
• Pre-pregnancy planning and education are important.
• Ideally, the woman has to be seizure free for at least 9 months before
pregnancy.
• Folic acid should be taken while trying to become pregnant or while at
risk of pregnancy, ideally for at least 1–3 months before conception.
73. STUDY ON AED IN PREGNANCY
• The same principles apply for withdrawal of AEDs in seizure-free women as in any
person with epilepsy
• This needs to be carefully planned months before conception
• In those women who continue to need treatment the aim should be to achieve seizure
control with the lowest possible dose of monotherapy. Polytherapy is best avoided where
possible
• Treatment should be optimised and where necessary the continuation of AEDs reviewed
Review Management of women with epilepsy during pregnancy.Authors Naghme Adab / DavidW
Chadwick. 2016. https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1576/toag.8.1.020.27204
74. STUDY ON AED IN PREGNANCY…
• The choice of AED is determined primarily by the type of epilepsy
• There is accumulating evidence of a greater risk with valproate exposure in utero for
both major malformations and later development
• Safer alternatives include carbamazepine, lamotrigine
• There is clinical consensus and observational data indicating the superiority of valproate
over other AEDs for seizure control, and no justification for switching every woman of
childbearing age on valproate to an alternative drug
Review Management of women with epilepsy during pregnancy. Authors Naghme Adab / DavidW
Chadwick. 2016. https://obgyn.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1576/toag.8.1.020.27204
75. CHILDREN
• A large, randomized, double-blind trial addressed the relative difference in efficacy and
tolerability between ethosuximide, valproate, and lamotrigine.
• The study included 451 children, and the primary outcome was freedom from treatment
failure, with failure defined as continued seizures or excessive drug toxicity, evaluated at
weeks 16 and 20.
• There was no difference between ethosuximide and valproate (53% and 58% respectively,
p=0.35), whereas patients taking lamotrigine were less likely to meet the study outcome,
probably because of a lack of seizure control (29%, p<0.0001).
• Adverse effects were not significantly different between the drugs.
Glauser TA, Cnaan A, Shinnar S, et al. Ethosuximide, valproic acid, and lamotrigine in childhood absence epilepsy:
initial monotherapy outcomes at 12 months. Epilepsia 2013;54:141-55.
76. REFERENCES
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International League Against Epilepsy: Position Paper of the ILAE
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the epilepsies: what do people with epilepsy and their caregivers need to
know? Epileptic Disord,Vol. 20, No. 2,April 2018
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Neurology /Psychiatry
5. Perucca P, et al. (2018). The management of epilepsy in children and
adult. MJA 208 (5) j 19 March 2018