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. 2011 Feb;93(2-3):115-9.
doi: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2010.11.005. Epub 2010 Dec 21.

Seizure remission in adults with long-standing intractable epilepsy: an extended follow-up

Hyunmi Choi  1 , Gary A Heiman, Heidi Munger Clary, Mill Etienne, Stanley R Resor, W Allen Hauser
Affiliations

Seizure remission in adults with long-standing intractable epilepsy: an extended follow-up

Hyunmi Choi et al. Epilepsy Res. 2011 Feb.

Abstract

Recent studies have provided much needed data on the probability of seizure remission among adults with chronic intractable epilepsy treated medically. Here we provide an extended follow-up to our earlier study in order to provide a more comprehensive picture of long-term prognosis in this patient population during medical treatment. The prevalence cohort was followed for two outcomes-complete seizure remission for ≥ 12 months and subsequent seizure relapse among those attaining a seizure remission. The study outcomes were estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis. We found that the probability of attaining a ≥ 12 months of complete seizure freedom to be approximately 3-4% per year through 8 years of follow-up. By year 5 since the start of seizure remission, the cumulative probability of seizure relapse was 81%, although only half of the patients with seizure relapse went on to experience their previous seizure frequency.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Breakdown of 187 patients with intractable epilepsy by epilepsy types and outcome.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Kaplan–Meier estimate of cumulative probability of achieving a ≥12-months seizure remission in 187 adults with intractable epilepsy treated medically.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Kaplan–Meier estimate of cumulative probability for subsequent seizure relapse (in the 25 subjects who achieved a ≥12-months seizure remission).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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