New-Onset Refractory Status Epilepticus Caused by Autoimmune Encephalitis May Have a Better Prognosis than when due to Other Causes

Abstract

Objective. To explore whether the new-onset refractory status epilepticus caused by autoimmune encephalitis has a better prognosis. Methods. This retrospective observational study enrolled patients with NORSE who were admitted from January 2015 to February 2024. The clinical data and clinical outcomes of the patients were collected and analyzed, and the primary outcome was seizures still at follow-up. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software V.22.0. Results. Among the 42 patients with NORSE, 15 (35.7%) had autoimmune encephalitis (AE), 3 (7.1%) patients had central nervous system infections, 24 (57.1%) patients had an unknown etiology, and 4 (9.5%) patients died in the hospital. Modified Rankin scale (MRS) scores at discharge of NORSE patients in the autoimmune encephalitis group and non-AE group were compared (P=0.339). After 4 years of follow-up, analysis of patients who still had seizures showed that the only risk factor was etiology and that patients with nonautoimmune encephalitis etiology were more prone to later epilepsy (P=0.030 (OR=16.767, 95% CI: 1.454-213.395)). The MRS scores of the AE group and non-AE group were compared (P≤0.001), with the autoimmune group having a better functional outcome. Significance. The overall prognosis of patients with autoimmune encephalitis may be better than that of patients with other etiologies, and later epilepsy is more likely in patients with nonautoimmune encephalitis. However, this result requires further validation in larger studies with more data.