Comparing seizure-related death and suicide in younger adults with epilepsy

Marius Kløvgaard*, Thomas H Lynge, Ioannis Tsiropoulos, Peter V Uldall, Jytte Banner, Bo G Winkel, Philippe Ryvlin, Jacob Tfelt-Hansen, Anne Sabers

*Corresponding author for this work

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Abstract

Younger adults with epilepsy have an increased mortality. Some deaths are seizure-related, e.g. sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), while others, e.g. suicide, have multiple causes including adverse effects of the treatment on mood. In this retrospective population-based study of all Danish persons with epilepsy aged 18-49 years during 2007-2009 we evaluated the risk of death from seizures and suicide. SUDEP comprised 82.7% of all seizure-related death. Younger adults with epilepsy had an 8.3-fold increased risk of death from seizure-related causes compared with suicide. This underpins the importance of effective seizure control in preventing premature death. 

Original languageEnglish
JournalAnnals of Neurology
Volume90
Issue number6
Pages (from-to)983-987
ISSN0364-5134
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021

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