Seizure outcome and epilepsy patterns in patients with cerebral palsy

Abstract

PurposeThe aim of the present study was to investigate epilepsy patterns and outcomes in patients with cerebral palsy (CP) and identify the variables that determine remission. MethodsThis was a retrospective cohort study. We followed 107 CP patients aged 1–16 years with newly diagnosed epilepsy. The patients were categorized according to their remission outcome, uninterrupted freedom of seizure for 2 years or longer, and 4 epilepsy patterns: A) sustained freedom from seizures before 6 months of treatment; B) delayed but sustained seizure freedom; C) relapsing-remitting course; and D) seizure freedom never attained. The variables were analysed for their prognostic relevance to the outcomes ResultsA total of 107 patients were included; their mean age at epilepsy diagnosis was 4.2 years (SD 2.5). By the end of the 8-year follow up, 19.6% 26.1%, 31.7%, and 22.4% were in sustained remission, terminal remission, relapse, and no remission respectively. Pattern A was identified in 6.5% of the patients, pattern B in 27.1%, pattern C in 43.9%, and pattern Din 22.4%. Univariate analysis revealed that the type of CP, mobility, and number of seizure types, are among the other factors that significantly affected remission. ConclusionA total of 45% of patients with CP and epilepsy achieved remission (with and without antiepileptics) but after a relatively long treatment duration. Remission was affected by patient- and epilepsy-related factors. More studies are required to further evaluate these factors.