Prevalence, risk factors, and prognosis of drug-resistant epilepsy in autoimmune encephalitis

Robb Wesselingh, James Broadley, Katherine Buzzard, David Tarlinton, Udaya Seneviratne, Chris Kyndt, Jim Stankovich, Paul Sanfilippo, Cassie Nesbitt, Wendyl D'Souza, Richard Macdonell, Helmut Butzkueven, Terence J. O'Brien, Mastura Monif

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

9 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the prevalence and biomarkers of drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) in patients with autoimmune encephalitis (AIE). Methods: Sixty-nine patients with AIE were recruited retrospectively and electroencephalographies (EEGs) were reviewed using a standard reporting proforma. Associations between EEG biomarkers and DRE development at 12 months were examined using logistic regression modeling and were utilized to create a DRE risk score. Results: Sixteen percent of patients with AIE developed DRE at 12-month follow-up. The presence of status epilepticus (SE) (OR 11.50, 95% CI [2.81, 51.86], p-value <0.001), temporal lobe focality (OR 9.90, 95% CI [2.60, 50.71], p-value 0.001) and periodic discharges (OR 19.12, 95% CI [3.79, 191.10], p-value 0.001) on the admission EEG were associated with the development of DRE at 12 months. These variables were utilized to create a clinically applicable risk score for the prediction of DRE development. Conclusions: Drug-resistant epilepsy is an infrequent complication of AIE. Electroencephalography changes during the acute illness can predict the risk of DRE at 12 months post-acute AIE. Significance: The identified EEG biomarkers provide the basis to generate a clinically applicable prediction tool which could be used to inform treatment, prognosis, and select patients for acute treatment trials.

Original languageEnglish
Article number108729
Number of pages9
JournalEpilepsy & Behavior
Volume132
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Jul 2022

Keywords

  • Autoimmune encephalitis
  • Drug-resistant epilepsy
  • Electroencephalogram
  • Prognosis
  • Status epilepticus

Cite this