title: [Excess mortality and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy].
abstract: Patients with epilepsy have a two to three fold increased risk of death as compared to the age-matched general population. This increased risk of death primarily affects young adults with drug resistant epilepsy. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is one of the main cause of mortality in that population, and appears to be the direct consequence of a seizure. The pathophysiology of SUDEP remains unclear, but a post-ictal central or obstructive apnea seems to represent the most likely mechanism. The risk of SUDEP is increased in patients with nocturnal seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures, and poor compliance. This risk can be decreased by nocturnal supervision. There is yet no consensus regarding the information about SUDEP that should be delivered to patients with epilepsy, but it seems reasonable to individualize this information according to each patient form of epilepsy.
authors.affiliation: CTRS-INSERM IDEE (Institut des épilepsies de l'enfant et adolescent), Hospices civils de Lyon, F-69677 Bron Cedex, France. ryvlin@cermep.fr
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Ryvlin
authors.forename: Törbjorn
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Tomson
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Montavont
mesh_terms: D017677:Age Distribution; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002423:Cause of Death; D003645:Death, Sudden / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D004351:Drug Resistance; D004562:Electrocardiography; D004569:Electroencephalography; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality* / Q000628:therapy; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000150:complications; D005060:Europe / Q000453:epidemiology; D005602:France / Q000453:epidemiology; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D055118:Medication Adherence; D009551:Night Care; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D020182:Sleep Apnea, Central / Q000209:etiology; D020181:Sleep Apnea, Obstructive / Q000209:etiology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants