ORCID
- Scott Brown: 0000-0002-6858-3316
- Rohit Shankar: 0000-0002-1183-6933
Abstract
Purpose The incidence of sudden death appears to be 20 times higher in patients with epilepsy compared with the general population. Epilepsy-related death, particularly sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), is still underestimated by healthcare professionals and this may reflect the mistaken belief that epilepsy is a benign condition. The risk of death associated with epilepsy appeared rarely to have been discussed with patients or their families. It appears the decision to discuss SUDEP and also to peg SUDEP risk is arbitrary and clinical. Unfortunately there is no structured evidenced mechanism at present to represent person centered risk of SUDEP and there is currently no easy manner or template to have this discussion with the family and the patient. Methods We conducted a detailed literature review in Medline, Embase and Psychinfo databases to extract the common risk factors as evidenced from literature till date. Research into risk factors has identified a number of risk factors for SUDEP, some of which are potentially modifiable. Results Based on the literature review, we believe that the ascertained risk factors could be employed in clinical practice as a checklist to reduce an individual patient's risk of SUDEP. The SUDEP safety checklist may be of practical use in reducing risks in some individuals and is definitely of use in helping communication. Conclusions An evidence based checklist identifying the major risk factors can help both clinicians and patients to focus on minimizing certain risk factors and promote safety by focusing on the modifiable factors and guide treatment. It can be a tool to open a person centered discussion with patients and to outline how individual behaviors could impact on risk.
DOI
10.1016/j.seizure.2013.07.014
Publication Date
2013-01-01
Publication Title
Seizure
Volume
22
Issue
10
ISSN
1059-1311
Keywords
Epilepsy deaths, Patient communication, Risk factors, Safety check list, Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, SUDEP
First Page
812
Last Page
817
Recommended Citation
Shankar, R., Cox, D., Jalihal, V., Brown, S., Hanna, J., & McLean, B. (2013) 'Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP): Development of a safety checklist', Seizure, 22(10), pp. 812-817. Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seizure.2013.07.014
