Influence of the 'lost time' on the outcome of epilepsy.
A review of a series of epileptic patients revealed the importance of the 'lost time' in the future time course of a patient. The 'lost time' is regarded as the period of time elapsed since the onset of symptoms and the implementation of adequate treatment. An assessment of the follow-up of 3,529 epileptic patients showed that the shorter the 'lost time', the greater the efficacy of anticonvulsant treatment. Even the incidence of relapses after discontinuation of antiepileptic drugs correlates with the 'lost time' before diagnosis. These findings emphasize the importance of establishing an early diagnosis of the type of epilepsy and the prescription of adequate antiepileptic medication.
Oller-Daurella
L
L
Centro Antiepiléptico PENEPA, Hospital General de Cataluña, Barcelona, España.
Oller
L F
LF
D004827:Epilepsy / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D011379:Prognosis; D012008:Recurrence; D013997:Time Factors