Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP): don't ask, don't tell?
BACKGROUND
The National Institute for Clinical Excellence in the UK has issued guidelines stating all individuals with epilepsy be given information about sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP).


METHODS
We conducted a survey of current practice among UK neurologists, using a questionnaire sent to all practising neurologists in the UK listed on the Association of British Neurologists database, asking under what circumstances they told patients about SUDEP.


RESULTS
Of the validated respondents, 5% discussed SUDEP with all patients, 26% with a majority, 61% with a few, and 7.5% with none. The commonest reasons for SUDEP to be discussed were the patient asking about it and the neurologist counselling people with known risk factors for SUDEP.


CONCLUSIONS
The variation we found, although not necessarily in tune with the guidelines, reflects the variation in patients' need for knowledge about their condition.
Morton
B
B
Department of Neurology, Greater Manchester Neurosciences Centre, Hope Hospital, Stott Lane, Salford, Manchester M6 8 HD, UK.
Richardson
A
A
Duncan
S
S
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000209:etiology*; D019983:Guideline Adherence; D006801:Humans; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012306:Risk; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom