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Review
. 2014 Dec;14(12):502.
doi: 10.1007/s11910-014-0502-4.

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy: addressing the challenges

W Henry Smithson  1 , Brigitte Colwell, Jane Hanna
Affiliations
Review

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy: addressing the challenges

W Henry Smithson et al. Curr Neurol Neurosci Rep. 2014 Dec.

Abstract

Epilepsy is associated with a higher rate of premature death than the general population, and the commonest cause of epilepsy mortality is sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). It is difficult to quantify because of the variable reporting of this cause of death. Death occurs due to autonomic deregulation of cardio-respiratory pathways as a result of seizures. Measures to reduce cardio-respiratory dysfunction are discussed together with the importance of seizure control in preventing SUDEP. The role of seizure detection devices, antiepileptic drugs and the importance of providing information about SUDEP to people with epilepsy are highlighted. There is increasing interest in SUDEP and some current initiatives are discussed.

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Conflict of interest statement

Brigitte Colwell declares that she has no conflict of interest.

W. Henry Smithson chaired the first NICE epilepsy guidelines development group in 2004 and is an honorary scientific advisor for SUDEP Action and Epilepsy Ireland, two NFP organisations that are involved in setting up a web-based register of epilepsy-related deaths.

Dr. Smithson has also received royalties from ABC of Epilepsy (Wiley).

Jane Hanna is CEO of SUDEP Action, a not for profit organisation that hosts the Epilepsy Deaths Register.

References

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