Psychogenic Nonepileptic Events Research Articles

Case study of invalid to valid shift in cognitive performance following successful treatment of psychogenic nonepileptic seizure events

ABSTRACT Patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizure (PNES) who fail performance validity testing (PVT) may appear to produce non-valid cognitive profiles. Consequently, they may not get referred to treatment and events persist, with worsening disability and high resource utilization. As a result, we report pre- and post-treatment neuropsychological evaluation findings in a 59-year-old woman with a confirmed diagnosis of PNES established using video-EEG monitoring. At pre-treatment baseline neuropsychological evaluation, PNES events occurred weekly to daily. Performance was impaired across PVTs and across multiple cognitive domains. After behavioral intervention specific to PNES, these events substantially reduced in frequency to rare stress-induced flares. Post-treatment neuropsychological evaluation revealed marked improvement of most cognitive and behavioral scores from baseline, and valid PVT scores. We review predisposing, precipitating, and perpetuating factors for PNES and cognitive impairment in this case and discuss the patient’s outcome from treatment. Effectively managing PNES events and dissociative tendencies while reducing unnecessary pharmacological interventions appears to have allowed this patient to function closer to her optimal state. This case illustrates the complexity of Functional Neurologic Disorder (FND) clinical presentation and challenges the assumption that suboptimal neuropsychological performance predicts poor treatment engagement and outcome. We showcase the reversibility of PNES and cognitive manifestations of FND using targeted psychotherapeutic interventions, which resulted in reduced disability and associated healthcare costs, as well as re-engagement in life.

A Randomised Controlled Trial on the Effect of Viewing the Event in Psychogenic non epileptic Events (S44.010)

<h3>Objective:</h3> To study the effect of viewing one’s event on psychological status in psychogenic non-epileptic events (PNEE) <h3>Background:</h3> PNEEs are bodily complaints due to unconscious mental conflict and the thoughts of which alters the psychological status adversely. Thus, when this sensitive diagnosis is delivered along with one’s own event, a better understanding of the illness brings harmony to internal milieu when coupled with psychotherapy. <h3>Design/Methods:</h3> This is a single centre prospective randomised controlled trial where patients diagnosed with PNEE in our epilepsy monitoring unit were randomised into intervention and control arm. Both the groups were given standard psychotherapy while the recorded event was shown to intervention arm alone. Event frequency and baseline psychological status using standard questionnaires (HADS and QOLIE - 31) was recorded at baseline and compared during follow up at 12 weeks. Paired t test was used to compare the results. <h3>Results:</h3> A total of 65 patients (31 intervention/34 control) were included in the study with similar baseline characteristics. The mean baseline per-week event frequency was 9.93 (16.7) and 11.78 (25.3) in intervention and control group respectively, which had fallen to 2.58 (4.65), p=0.731 and 1.58 (3.04), p=0.313 during 12 week follow up. HADS anxiety and depression scores improved significantly in both the groups while among QOLIE 31 components, seizure worry (p=0.008), overall quality of life (p&lt;0.001) and emotional well being (p&lt;0.003) in intervention arm. However, control arm had improvement in overall quality of life (p=0.003) and social effects (p=0.016) components. <h3>Conclusions:</h3> Event viewing, in addition to psychotherapy improves psychological status in PNEE especially with regard to seizure worry and emotional well being perhaps by improving self - acceptance of the diagnosis and increasing the engagement and adherence to psychotherapy. <b>Disclosure:</b> Dr. Priya has nothing to disclose. Dr. Radhakrishnan has nothing to disclose.

Responsive neurostimulation device use in patients with epilepsy and psychogenic non-epileptic events. Case report and Healthcare expenditure analysis related to neuromodulation therapy in Epilepsy patients (P5-1.005)

Responsive neurostimulation device use in patients with epilepsy and psychogenic non-epileptic events. Case report and Healthcare expenditure analysis related to neuromodulation therapy in Epilepsy patients (P5-1.005)

Usefulness and yield of routine electroencephalogram: a retrospective study.

The electroencephalogram (EEG) is a common diagnostic tool used to investigate patients for various indications including seizure disorders. To investigate factors that predict the presence of epileptiform abnormalities on EEG and review the common indications for ordering an EEG. We retrospectively reviewed all routine adult EEG performed in a hospital over a 6-month period. Data collated included patient demographics, clinical indication for EEG, setting in which EEG was performed, activation procedures utilised, history of epilepsy, and whether the patient was on antiepileptic medication. Our primary objective was to evaluate the factors that were predictive of an EEG with epileptiform abnormalities. Two hundred and thirty-nine routine EEG were included with indications, including first seizure (25.9%), known epilepsy (25.1%), cognitive change (15.9%), syncope (15.0%), movement disorder (6.7%), psychogenic non-epileptic events (5.4%), unresponsiveness/intensive care unit (4.6%) and psychiatric presentation (1.3%). Most (48.1%) EEG were normal; 8.9% of the EEG demonstrated epileptiform abnormalities. Using multivariate logistic regression, three variables proved significant in predicting an EEG with epileptiform abnormalities. Any seizure as an indication (first seizure or seizure in known epileptic), increasing patient age, and EEG conducted in an inpatient setting and within 48 h of seizure event were all statistically more likely to yield epileptiform abnormalities on EEG. Our findings suggest that careful selection of patients based on appropriate indications for EEG referral would likely improve the yield of an EEG. Depending on the indication, a normal EEG result can be of similar usefulness to an abnormal EEG demonstrating epileptiform abnormalities.

Low Serum Pyridoxine Levels Worsen Seizure Control in Adult Epilepsy Patients.

Background: Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) is an important cofactor in the process by which glutamic acid decarboxylase (GAD) converts the excitatory, pro-epileptogenic neurotransmitter, glutamate, into the inhibitory, anti-epileptogenic neurotransmitter, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA). This concept has been established in infants with pyridoxine-dependent epilepsy as well as adult patients with other epilepsy subtypes who presented with medication-resistant status epilepticus, with both patient groups experiencing cessation of seizure activity following pyridoxine administration. Given our knowledge of the role of vitamin B6 in the conversion of glutamate to GABA, its effect on seizure control in infants with specific epilepsy subtypes, reports of adult-onset seizures associated with vitamin B6 deficiency, and vitamin B6’s role in terminating status epilepticus in adult patients with other types of epilepsy, we suspect that low vitamin B6 levels in adult epilepsy patients may correlate with poor seizure control across all epilepsy subtypes. This study seeks to determine whether there is a relationship between pyridoxine levels and the level of seizure control in adults with epilepsy, regardless of their seizure type.Methods: After obtaining institutional review board approval, we prospectively enrolled 32 patients (age range: 25-57 years) with epilepsy who presented to our clinic. Patients who did not meet the study criteria or who were diagnosed with psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) were excluded from the study (n = 2). Patients were classified as well-controlled (WC) or poorly controlled (PC) based on the absence or presence of a seizure within the last three months, respectively. After classification as WC or PC, pyridoxine serum levels and anti-seizure medication (ASM) levels were drawn in that clinic visit, following patient consent. All patients were contacted regarding pyridoxine and serum ASM levels, and patients that were found to be deficient in pyridoxine were treated with appropriate supplementation. At the end of the recruitment period, we performed analyses to determine if there was a statistically significant relationship between PC status and serum pyridoxine levels.Results: Of 32 patients, two patients were diagnosed with psychogenic non-epileptic events and were subsequently excluded. Of 30 patients, 10 had PC epilepsy. Median (interquartile range) serum B6 levels were 35.8 (26.8-54.2) in patients with WC epilepsy and 17.5 (10.1-41.3) in patients with PC epilepsy (P = 0.11). In the PC group, 6/10 (60%) of the patients demonstrated low serum pyridoxine compared to 3/20 (15%) in the WC group (P = 0.03).Conclusion: There was a statistically significant relationship between serum pyridoxine levels and seizure control. If appropriate, pyridoxine supplementation should be considered, especially in critically ill adult patients with refractory or PC seizures despite good adherence to ASMs.

Rasch analysis of fatigue severity scale in patients with epilepsy

ObjectiveTo utilize the Rasch model to validate and assess the psychometric properties of the Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS) in patients with epilepsy. MethodsA total of 307 patients (age > 18 years) with a confirmed diagnosis of epilepsy were consented to participate. Exclusion criteria included patients with psychogenic nonepileptic events, cognitive disabilities, and patients who did not speak/understand English. The nine-step FSS was programmed into software administered to patients on electronic tablets, and patient responses were auto-scored. The Rasch rating scale model (RSM) was used to evaluate the unidimensionality, reliability, and targeting of the FSS. To assess unidimensionality, we examined infit and outfit mean squares. We also assessed unidimensionality of the FSS using a principal component analysis of Rasch residuals, where residuals are understood as the difference between observed and expected data values. We evaluated the internal consistency of person and item performance by examining separation reliability estimates and separation ratio. Differential Item Functioning (DIF) was calculated for gender. ResultsThere was mixed evidence regarding the extent to which the FSS fit the Rasch model. Outfit values ranged from 0.52 to 2.72 and infit values were 0.60 to 2.18, strongly suggesting the presence of misfitting items: Item 1 (“My motivation is lower when I am fatigued”) and Item 2 (“Exercise brings on my fatigue”). SignificanceThe nine-item FSS showed fair psychometric properties in this sample of patients with epilepsy. Our study provides unique, supportive information for the use of a modified version of the FSS, omitting the first two items, in patients with epilepsy. Given the prevalence of fatigue and other neuropsychiatric comorbidities of epilepsy, having a validated fatigue scale can aid healthcare providers to identify moderate-to-severe fatigue levels in patients with epilepsy and address the plausible risk factors.

Brief Report: Psychogenic Nonepileptic Events in Pediatric Patients with Autism or Intellectual Disability.

This is a retrospective case series of pediatric patients referred to the psychogenic nonepileptic events clinic (PNEE) who had comorbid diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) or intellectual disability (ID). We describe 15 patients, nine with ASD and six with ID who had a telephone visit follow-up at 12months. There were higher rates of male gender (40%) and comorbid epilepsy (53%) compared to the larger PNEE cohort. Eleven patients were available for follow-up and ten patients had improvement in events or were event-free. We report that patients with ASD or ID can develop PNEE and experience improvement from events.

Neurobiology of psychogenic non-epileptic events

NEUROBIOLOGY OF PSYCHOGENIC NONE-EPILEPTIC EVENTS Psychogenic non-epileptic events/eizure (PNES) are disabling and frequent. The diagnosis is based on clinical features and is reliable. However, misconception about the neurobiology of PNES prevents a good communication of the diagnosis and many patients and/or caregivers avoid clarifying or naming the diagnosis as there is a fear to address the issue of what “psychogenic” may mean and represent in terms of stigmatization. This talk will highlight what neurosciences has found over the last decades to better understand the neurobiology of PNES and how brain mechanisms may be involved in this disorder.

Improving Child Neurology Residents' Communication Skills Through Objective Structured Clinical Exams.

IntroductionChild neurology has unique challenges in communication due to complex disorders with a wide array of prognoses and treatments. Effective communication is teachable through deliberate practice and coaching. Objective structured clinical exams (OSCEs) are one method of providing practice while assessing communication skills. Yet OSCEs have not been reported for child neurology residents.MethodsWe developed simulated clinical cases centering on communication skills for child neurology residents, all with challenging clinical scenarios (e.g., disclosure of a medical error, psychogenic nonepileptic events). Standardized patients (SPs) portrayed the parents of pediatric patients and, in some scenarios, an adolescent patient. We used a modified Gap-Kalamazoo Communication Skills Assessment Form to assess communication skills. The assessment was completed by faculty, SPs, and the resident, and we measured agreement among raters. Residents were surveyed afterward regarding their experience.ResultsNine cases were developed and piloted. A total of 27 unique resident-case encounters with 16 individual trainees occurred over three annual implementations. Scores on the 360-degree assessment of communication skills showed that residents overwhelmingly underassessed their skills compared to other rater groups. Among 18 responses on the post-OSCE survey, the majority (77%) found the experience useful to their education and felt that the feedback from the SPs was helpful (61%) and the case portrayals were realistic (89%).DiscussionWe implemented simulated cases for assessment and formative feedback on communication skills for child neurology residents. We provide a blueprint to develop this educational activity in other programs.

Short-term outcomes in pediatric and adolescent patients with psychogenic nonepileptic events seen by telemedicine during the COVID-19 pandemic

IntroductionPsychogenic nonepileptic events (PNEE) are a type of Functional Neurological Symptom Disorder that present with events that appear epileptic but are not associated with abnormal electrical activity in the brain. In response to the global COVID-19 pandemic, our PNEE clinic switched to a telemedicine format, and we present here our experience with providing care to children and adolescents with PNEE in this format. MethodsThe multidisciplinary clinic shifted to a telemedicine platform in March 2020 with the same joint provider format. Follow-up phone calls are completed at one and three months following the visit. Data are presented with descriptive statistics. Referral volume and outcomes data are compared to historical patients, including rates of diagnosis acceptance, linkage to counseling, and change in event frequency. ResultsTwenty-three patients were scheduled to be seen via telemedicine or hybrid visits from March through June, twenty completed their visits. Sixteen (70%) were reached for follow-up at one month. Of those reached, twelve (75%) accepted the diagnosis, eight (50%) were linked with counseling, and fourteen (88%) with improvement in event frequency. Of the sixteen reached at three months, eleven (69%) had accepted the diagnosis, ten (63%) were linked with counseling, and all but two reported improvement in event frequency. In comparison, the previously published results showed 3-month rates of 75% of patients accepting the diagnosis, 76% linked with counseling, and 75% with improvement in event frequency. ConclusionsVideo telemedicine visits are a feasible and effective way to provide care for children and adolescents with PNEE. At 3 months, patients seen by telemedicine had similar acceptance rates, decreased connection to counseling, and increased rate of improvement in event frequency. This study suggests telemedicine may have some benefits over traditional clinic visits, such as improved show rates and access to clinic; so should be considered a reasonable alternative to in-person visits.

Clinical identification of psychogenic nonepileptic events using combinations of psychological tests in a veteran sample

ObjectivePatients with psychogenic nonepileptic events (PNEE) exhibit heterogenous symptoms and are best diagnosed with long-term video-electroencephalogram (vEEG) data. While extensive univariate data suggest psychological tests may confirm the etiology of PNEE, the multivariate discriminant utility of psychological tests is less clear. The current study aggregated likelihood ratios of multiple psychological tests to evaluate incremental and discriminant utility for PNEE. MethodsVeterans with vEEG-diagnosed PNEE (n = 166) or epileptic seizures (n = 92) completed self-report measures and brief neuropsychological evaluations during the 4-day vEEG hospitalization. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves identified discriminating psychological tests and corresponding cut-scores (0.85 minimum specificity). Likelihood ratios from the remaining cut-scores were sequentially linked using the sample base rate of PNEE (64%) and alternative base rates (10%, 20%, 30%, 40%) to estimate posttest probabilities (PTP) of test combinations. ResultsThe Health Attitudes Survey, Health History Checklist, and Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory-2-Restructured Form scales FBS-r, RC1, MLS, and NUC were identified as discriminating indicators of PNEE. Average PTPs were ≥90% when three or more indicators out of six administered were present at the sample base rate. Regardless of PNEE base rate, PTP for PNEE was ≥98% when all discriminating indicators were present and 92–99% when five of six indicators administered were present. PTPs were largely consistent with observed positive predictive values, particularly as indicators present increased. SignificanceAggregating psychological tests identified PNEE with a high degree of accuracy, regardless of PNEE base rate. Combining psychological tests may be useful for confirming the etiology of PNEE.

Eventos no epilépticos psicógenos: El desafío constante de su diagnóstico y tratamiento.

Los eventos no epilépticos psicógenos (ENEP) son episodios paroxísticos descritos como cambios conductuales, alteraciones sensorio-sensitivas, o manifestaciones motoras que se asemejan a las crisis epilépticas pero sin mostrar actividad epileptiforme subyacente, no son producidos deliberadamente por el individuo, y responden a mecanismos multifactoriales de índole biopsicosocial. La información epidemiológica es limitada debido a la naturaleza heterogénea de la población afectada, así como a la escasa accesibilidad al videoelectroencefalograma (vEEG) necesario para su diagnóstico. En este contexto, es necesaria la convergencia de dos elementos importantes: historia clínica detallada (características clínicas sugerentes de ENEP e identificación de los factores asociados) y la ausencia de cambios electroencefalográficos en el vEEG durante el episodio. La evaluación psicológica provee información adicional relevante para la corroboración diagnóstica y para su manejo. El diagnóstico debe realizarse de manera oportuna, para evitar complicaciones en su evolución y tratamiento. Es vital una actitud positiva y alentadora hacia el/la paciente al momento de comunicarle su diagnóstico, así como la coordinación entre el neurólogo tratante y los profesionales de salud mental involucrados en el manejo y seguimiento del caso. La psicoterapia cognitiva conductual, asociada a psicofármacoterapia -cuando pertinente-, constituyen el tratamiento más eficaz de estos pacientes. Existen limitados estudios en Latinoamérica sobre aspectos epidemiológicos y clínico-evolutivos de pacientes con ENEP, por lo que más investigación y publicaciones respecto a esta problemática son indispensables dado su impacto sobre la calidad de vida de los pacientes y sobre el costo de su manejo en los sistemas de salud.

Outcomes in Children and Adolescents With Psychogenic Nonepileptic Events Using a Multidisciplinary Clinic Approach.

Psychogenic nonepileptic events (PNEE) are paroxysmal events that resemble epileptic seizures but are caused by psychological factors. Coordination of care has been recommended as one strategy to integrate care and improve outcomes. We aim to evaluate patient outcomes in a multidisciplinary pediatric psychogenic nonepileptic events clinic that includes care coordination. All patients referred to the multidisciplinary psychogenic nonepileptic events clinic were entered into a prospective database. Follow-up calls were made by the clinic nurse at 1 and 3 months following the visit. A total of 101 unique patients were reviewed. Ninety-six appointments were scheduled, and 83 appointments were completed (86%). Social work identified barriers in 38 patients, and 76% of those assisted completed their appointment. At 1 month, two-thirds of families were reached, 50% were accepting of the diagnosis, and 70% had clinical improvement in events. By 3 months, 75% had clinical improvement, 76% were receiving mental health services, and 73% were accepting of the diagnosis; however, more had also returned to the emergency department. Families needing assistance from social work tended to have worse outcomes. Increase in acceptance was nearly statistically significant (P = .058) from 1 to 3 months; however, it was not so for clinical improvement in events (P = .623). Implementation of a multidisciplinary team with care coordination allowed for follow-up for children and adolescents with psychogenic nonepileptic events and mitigation of barriers to care and can improve clinical outcomes. After being seen in our clinic, many families had accepted the diagnosis, most of the patients reached had event improvement and were successfully linked with counseling at the 1- and 3-month follow-ups.

Atypical duration of epileptic and psychogenic nonepileptic events

ObjectivesWe aimed to estimate the frequency of epileptic seizures (ES) and psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) with atypical duration in our epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU), in order to raise awareness of atypical durations of both types of events. Materials & methodsWe retrospectively reviewed all consecutive video-electroencephalogram (vEEG) recordings in our medical center's EMU from January 2013 to December 2017 and identified patients with seizures with atypical duration. Short PNES were defined as those lasting fewer than 2 min and long ES as those lasting for more than 5 min. ResultsThe files of 830 adult (age >16 years) patients were reviewed, of whom 26 patients (3.1%, mean age: 33.3 ± 9.8 years, 12 females) were diagnosed as having an unusual seizure duration. Among 432 patients with ES during monitoring, fourteen patients [3.2% (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.5%–5.0%), mean age: 33.0 ± 12.2, 5 females [had long ES durations (exceeding 5 min). In 64% of patients with long ES, the events were provoked by antiepileptic drug (AED) withdrawal during vEEG, 62% had focal lesion on brain imaging, and 64% had a frontotemporal or a temporal seizure focus. Among 223 patients diagnosed with PNES, 12 patients [5.4% (95% CI: 2.2%–8.6%), mean age: 33.6 ± 6.6, 7 females] had short PNES durations (less than 2 min) and demonstrated motor (9/12, 75%), altered responsiveness (6/12, 50%), and vocalization (5/12, 42%) as the most prominent clinical features. ConclusionsThe data from our case files highlight two main considerations in the diagnosis of paroxysmal events: prolonged event can be due to ES, while short events can be psychogenic.

Psychogenic Nonepileptic Events in Pediatric Patients with Autism (5193)

Psychogenic Nonepileptic Events in Pediatric Patients with Autism (5193)

Use of Combined Electroencephalography and Tilt Table Testing to Determine Etiology of Loss of Consciousness

ABSTRACT Tilt table testing is a common noninvasive diagnostic test performed to reproduce and evaluate syncope in a vulnerable patient and subsequently guide therapy. Electroencephalography (EEG) is typically useful for identifying interictal and ictal abnormalities within the context of epilepsy or suspected epilepsy. We report a series of patients who underwent simultaneous tilt table testing with EEG. Diagnostic benefits are not exclusively the verification of EEG correlates secondary to clinical and cardiovascular changes during syncope, but also confirmation of nonphysiological events, including psychogenic nonepileptic seizures and psychogenic pseudosyncope. Fifty tilt table studies were combined with EEG over a six-year period. Seven studies (14%) captured episodes of behavioral unresponsiveness with normal EEG and EKG patterns, diagnostic of psychogenic pseudosyncope. Whereas psychogenic nonepileptic events are well established in the literature, psychogenic pseudosyncope is probably underestimated and rarely evaluated outside of an epilepsy monitoring unit. This novel combined protocol should be considered for any patient with suspected psychogenic unresponsiveness.

A Qualitative Analysis of School Nurses' Experience Caring for Students With Psychogenic Nonepileptic Events.

Psychogenic nonepileptic events (PNEE) are paroxysmal changes in behavior resembling epileptic seizures but with no electrographic correlate and are instead caused by psychological factors. In this qualitative study, semistructured interviews were conducted with 10 school nurses to identify how they perceive the experience of caring for a student with PNEE as well as supportive factors and barriers to optimal management of PNEE in schools. Several themes were identified: lack of diagnosis awareness by school staff leading to impressions that the student was "faking" the events, inadequate information provided by a health-care provider regarding the diagnosis in general and specifically about the individual student leading to a reliance on information from the student's family, feelings of doubt and insecurity about the diagnosis and management of the events, and reliance on the school nurse to develop a response plan and to manage the events which can be very time-consuming.

Yield and cost-effectiveness of tilt table tests combined with video-EEG.

To study the outcomes of a series of consecutive tilt table tests combined with video-EEG (TTVE) at a single center, and assess their cost-effectiveness compared with other neurophysiological tests. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of patients who underwent TTVE studies between March 1st, 2013 to April 1st, 2018. Detailed clinical history, including patient demographics, reasons for referral, anti-seizure medications, and neurophysiological studies obtained prior to the TTVE studies were extracted from chart reviews. The fee for each neurophysiological test was identified from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. Fifty-two patients underwent TTVE studies. Thirteen patients (25%) were diagnosed with vasovagal syncope, two (3.8%) were diagnosed with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, and three (5.8%) had psychogenic non-epileptic events during the test. Four out of 12 patients stopped anti-seizure medication(s) after the TTVE. Prior to referral for TTVE, an average of $3,748 per person was spent on neurophysiological tests, which were inconclusive. The average fee for one TTVE test was $535.32, and the fee per test affecting diagnosis or management (defined as the cost divided by the yield of the test) was $1,547. The TTVE test is cost-effective in evaluating refractory episodes of loss of consciousness, atypical of epileptic seizures. In addition to diagnosing syncope, TTVE can be valuable in identifying psychogenic events.

A-74 Patients with Psychogenic Non-Epileptic Events Differentially Report Emotional Distress and Activities of Daily Living Completion When Controlling for Performance Validity

Abstract Objective While the use of validity testing in neuropsychological assessments to assist in differentiation between epileptic seizures (ES) and psychogenic non-epileptic events (PNEE) is becoming common, validity considerations regarding symptom self-reporting is seldom examined. This study seeks to add clarity by examining performance validity tests (PVT), and self-report measures of emotional symptoms and daily functioning, in a sample of those with either ES or PNEE. Methods Patients: Consecutive Veteran patients referred to an epilepsy monitoring unit for evaluation of intractable seizures, and subsequently diagnosed with ES (32) or PNEE (75). A fixed battery of psychological (Beck Depression Inventory-II, Patient Competency Rating Scale, Quality of Life in Epilepsy) and PVT (Test of Memory Malinger, Word Memory Test) measures were administered as part of a broader neuropsychological assessment. Patients were classified by both their diagnostic, and PVT pass/fail, statuses (PNEEpass, PNEEfail, &amp; ESpass – ESfail was too small to analyze). Results PNEE reported more severe symptoms/impairments than ES (each p &lt; .01) when ignoring PVT results. Importantly, when PVTs were considered, PNEEfail reported worse symptoms/impairments than PNEEpass (each p &lt; .01), and PNEEpass and ESpass did not differ on emotional distress (p = .07). Conclusions Those with PNEE who fail PVTs report worse psychological distress and functional abilities than both those who pass and those with ES. This is likely due to symptom exaggeration. Validity testing should thus be considered a crucial component of assessment of these individuals: if invalid self-reporting is not accounted for, clinicians put themselves at risk for coming to faulty conclusions while more parsimonious explanations are available.

Utilization of the Patient Competency Rating Scale in an epileptic and non-epileptic veteran population.

Differentiating between epilepsy and psychogenic non-epileptic events (PNEE) can be difficult given similar presentations. PNEE is often misdiagnosed, resulting in unwarranted treatment with anti-epileptic drugs (AED). While the gold standard for differentiating PNEE from epilepsy is video EEG (VEGG) monitoring, self-reported symptomology has also been shown to discriminate between epilepsy and PNEE with high accuracy, particularly in cases where VEEG is difficult to obtain or when there are no observed events during extended monitoring. The Patient Competency Rating Scale (PCRS) was developed to measure the extent to which individuals are able to function in four domains: activities of daily living, emotional, interpersonal, and cognitive competency. Factor analyses validated the underlying factor structure of the PCRS in this seizure disorder sample. Follow-up MANOVA revealed group differences such that those diagnosed with PNEE reported less competence in all areas of functioning as compared to those diagnosed with epilepsy, with the largest difference being emotional competency. Secondary factor analyses were conducted for each diagnostic category. Two items related strongly to emotional competency loaded equally across the factors for those diagnosed with PNEE, indicating that emotional control is highly correlated with all areas of perceived competence for those with PNEE in this sample and may be considered as an intervention target. This was the first study to validate the use of the PCRS for a seizure disorder sample and to examine group differences in self-reported competency between those diagnosed with epilepsy and PNEE.