Short-term outcome of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures after communication of the diagnosis

• Published in: Epilepsy & behavior Vol. 25; no. 4; pp. 676 - 681
• Main Authors: Mayor, R, Brown, R.J, Cock, H, House, A, Howlett, S, Singhal, S, Smith, P, Reuber, M
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.12.2012
• Subjects: Adult; Communication; Diagnosis; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Neurology; Non-epileptic attack disorder; Outcome research; Prognosis; Prospective Studies; Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures; Quality of life; Quality of Life - psychology; Recurrence; Seizures - diagnosis; Seizures - psychology; Surveys and Questionnaires; Outcome research; Non-epileptic attack disorder; Prognosis; Diagnosis; Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures; Quality of life
• DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2012.09.033
• ISSN: 1525-5050

Abstract We previously described a communication strategy for the delivery of the diagnosis of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) that was acceptable and effective at communicating the psychological cause of PNES. This prospective multicenter study describes the short-term seizure and psychosocial outcomes after the communication of the diagnosis and with no additional treatment. Participants completed self-report measures at baseline, two and six months after the diagnosis (seizure frequency, HRQoL, health care utilization, activity levels, symptom attributions and levels of functioning). Thirty-six participants completed the self-report questionnaires. A further eight provided seizure frequency data. After six months, the median seizure frequency had dropped from 10 to 7.5 per month (p = 0.9), 7/44 participants (16%) were seizure-free, and an additional 10/44 (23%) showed greater than 50% improvement in seizure frequency. Baseline questionnaire measures demonstrated high levels of impairment, which had not improved at follow-up. The lack of change in self-report measures illustrates the need for further interventions in this patient group.