The impact of SARS on epilepsy: the experience of drug withdrawal in epileptic patients.
BACKGROUND
During the 2003 severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) outbreak, many patients avoided hospital visit because of fear of infection. Antiepileptic drug (AED) withdrawal is a risk factor for seizure recurrence. Therefore, seizure control during the SARS outbreak is a good model for examining the impact of drug withdrawal in seizure control.


METHODS
All seizures experienced by each patient before, during, and after the SARS outbreak periods were registered in each patient's seizure diary. The patients were divided into four groups according to the presence of drug withdrawal as well as seizure attack. In each group, seizures occurring during three different periods were compared. Risk factors for seizure recurrence were also examined.


RESULTS
Of 227 cases, 49 stopped taking medication during the outbreak. Among them, 28 suffered seizure attacks during AED withdrawal. Four cases developed cluster attacks and two cases had status epilepticus after AED withdrawal. AED withdrawal produced a significant increase in seizure frequency. The major risk factors for withdrawal seizures were symptomatic etiologies, polytherapy and non-seizure free before AED withdrawal.


CONCLUSIONS
The SARS outbreak adversely affected seizure control because of AED withdrawal. Patients with polytherapy, non-seizure free and symptomatic etiologies were more susceptible to recurrence of seizures after AED withdrawal.
Lai
Shung-Lon
SL
Department of Neurology, Kaohsiung Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital, 123 Ta-Pei Rd. Niao-Sung Hsiang, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. neuron@ms2.hinet.net
Hsu
Min-Tao
MT
Chen
Shun-Sheng
SS
D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000009:adverse effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D012074:Remission Induction; D012307:Risk Factors; D012640:Seizures / Q000209:etiology*; D045169:Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome / Q000523:psychology*; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*
D000927:Anticonvulsants