Neuropediatrics 2010; 41(3): 135-139
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1263155
Original Article

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Long-Term Outcome of Difficult-to-Treat Epilepsy in Childhood

L. A. Beume1 , B. J. Steinhoff1
  • 1Kork Epilepsy Centre, Kehl-Kork, Germany
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Publikationsverlauf

received 23.05.2010

accepted 26.07.2010

Publikationsdatum:
21. September 2010 (online)

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Abstract

So far little is known about the long-term outcome of difficult-to-treat epilepsy syndromes of childhood. The aim of this study was to evaluate precise long-term data concerning the course of such epilepsies after 20 years. By means of a questionnaire we assessed the current situation of patients who had been treated as in-patients at the Department of Children and Adolescents at our Centre due to their difficult-to-treat epilepsy. Of 287 patients who met the inclusion criteria (diagnosis of difficult-to-treat epilepsy according to the final hospital record and hospitalisation for a therapy-resistant epilepsy), 176 were traced successfully and 81 completed and returned the questionnaire. A significant improvement of seizure frequency was reported by 49.7% and complete remission (with or without AEDs) by 25.9% of the patients. Social integration and work was attained by 21%. Cognitive impairment and treatment with more than 3 antiepileptic drugs proved to be significant negative outcome predictors. Among the patient population addressed in this study a high percentage had neurological impairments and/or cognitive deficiencies. Still, with 25.9% an unexpectedly high proportion of patients reached complete clinical remission after 20 years. Our data indicate that the natural course of difficult-to-treat epilepsies of childhood may be better than previously suggested.

References

Correspondence

Prof. Dr. Bernhard J. Steinhoff

Epilepsiezentrum Kork

Landstraße 1

77694 Kehl-Kork

Telefon: +49/7851/842 250

Fax: +49/7851/842 555

eMail: bsteinhoff@epilepsiezentrum.de