| 1. |
- Markhus, R., et al.
(författare)
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EEG in fitness to drive evaluations in people with epilepsy - Considerable variations across Europe
- 2020
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Ingår i: Seizure-European Journal of Epilepsy. - : Elsevier BV. - 1059-1311. ; 79, s. 56-60
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: Epilepsy patients consider driving issues to be one of their most serious concerns. Ideally, decisions regarding fitness to drive should be based upon thorough evaluations by specialists in epilepsy care. In 2009, an EU directive was published aiming to harmonize evaluation practices within European countries, but, despite these recommendations, whether all epileptologists use the same criteria is unclear. We therefore conducted this study to investigate routine practices on how epileptologists at European epilepsy centers evaluate fitness to drive. Methods: A questionnaire was sent to 63 contact persons identified through the European Epi-Care and the Epilepsy network. The questionnaire addressed how fitness-to-drive evaluations were conducted, the involvement of different professionals, the use and interpretation of EEG, and opinions on existing regulations and guidelines. Results: The questionnaire was completed by 35 participants (56 % response rate). Results showed considerable variation regarding test routines and the emphasis placed on the occurrence and extent of epileptiform discharges revealed by EEG. 82 % of the responders agreed that there was a need for more research on how to better evaluate fitness-to-drive in people with epilepsy, and 89 % agreed that regulations on fitness to drive evaluations should be internationally coordinated. Conclusion: Our survey showed considerable variations among European epileptologists regarding use of EEG and how findings of EEG pathology should be assessed in fitness-to-drive evaluations. There is a clear need for more research on this issue and international guidelines on how such evaluations should be carried out would be of value.
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| 2. |
- Schmitt, F. C., et al.
(författare)
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Standardisierter Computer-basiert- o rganisierter Report des EEG (SCORE) - Eine strukturierende Form der EEG-Befundung
- 2018
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Ingår i: Klinische Neurophysiologie. - : Georg Thieme Verlag KG. - 1434-0275 .- 1439-4081. ; 49:2, s. 1-18
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- A taskforce formed in 2013 by the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology developed an EEG terminology with international consensus. In the following, the result - the second version of Standardized Computer-based Organized Reporting of EEG (SCORE) will be summarised. The terminology was tested in clinical practice using a software package (SCORE-EEG) applied to over 12,000 EEGs. The selection of terms is context-dependent: the initial selection determines which further options are available. A report is automatically generated and individual features are fed into a database. SCORE contains specialised modules for reporting on epileptic seizures, as well as for characteristic neonatal and intensive care EEG features. SCORE is a useful tool not only for outpatient, clinical and research settings, but also for quality control, data sharing and education.
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| 3. |
- Mouthaan, B. E., et al.
(författare)
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Current use of imaging and electromagnetic source localization procedures in epilepsy surgery centers across Europe
- 2016
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Ingår i: Epilepsia. - : Wiley. - 0013-9580. ; 57:5, s. 770-776
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: In 2014 the European Union-funded E-PILEPSY project was launched to improve awareness of, and accessibility to, epilepsy surgery across Europe. We aimed to investigate the current use of neuroimaging, electromagnetic source localization, and imaging postprocessing procedures in participating centers. Methods: A survey on the clinical use of imaging, electromagnetic source localization, and postprocessing methods in epilepsy surgery candidates was distributed among the 25 centers of the consortium. A descriptive analysis was performed, and results were compared to existing guidelines and recommendations. Results: Response rate was 96%. Standard epilepsy magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocols are acquired at 3 Tesla by 15 centers and at 1.5 Tesla by 9 centers. Three centers perform 3T MRI only if indicated. Twenty-six different MRI sequences were reported. Six centers follow all guideline-recommended MRI sequences with the proposed slice orientation and slice thickness or voxel size. Additional sequences are used by 22 centers. MRI postprocessing methods are used in 16 centers. Interictal positron emission tomography (PET) is available in 22 centers; all using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG). Seventeen centers perform PET postprocessing. Single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) is used by 19 centers, of which 15 perform postprocessing. Four centers perform neither PET nor SPECT in children. Seven centers apply magnetoencephalography (MEG) source localization, and nine apply electroencephalography (EEG) source localization. Fourteen combinations of inverse methods and volume conduction models are used. Significance: We report a large variation in the presurgical diagnostic workup among epilepsy surgery centers across Europe. This diversity underscores the need for highquality systematic reviews, evidence-based recommendations, and harmonization of available diagnostic presurgical methods.
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| 4. |
- Beniczky, S., et al.
(författare)
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Testing patients during seizures: A European consensus procedure developed by a joint taskforce of the ILAE – Commission on European Affairs and the European Epilepsy Monitoring Unit Association
- 2016
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Ingår i: Epilepsia. - : Wiley. - 0013-9580 .- 1528-1167. ; 57:9, s. 1363-1368
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- There is currently no international consensus procedure for performing comprehensive periictal testing of patients in the epilepsy monitoring units (EMUs). Our primary goal was to develop a standardized procedure for managing and testing patients during and after seizures in EMUs. The secondary goal was to assess whether it could be implemented in clinical practice (feasibility). A taskforce was appointed by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE)—Commission on European Affairs and the European Epilepsy Monitoring Unit Association, to develop a standardized ictal testing battery (ITB) based on expert opinion and experience with various local testing protocols. ITB contains a comprehensive set of 10 items that evidence the clinically relevant semiologic features, and it is adaptive to the dynamics of the individual seizures. The feasibility of the ITB was prospectively evaluated on 250 seizures from 152 consecutive patients in 10 centers. ITB was successfully implemented in clinical practice in all 10 participating centers and was considered feasible in 93% of the tested seizures. ITB was not feasible for testing seizures of very short duration. Wiley Periodicals, Inc. © 2016 International League Against Epilepsy
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| 5. |
- Kobulashvili, T., et al.
(författare)
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Current practices in long-term video-EEG monitoring services: A survey among partners of the E-PILEPSY pilot network of reference for refractory epilepsy and epilepsy surgery
- 2016
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Ingår i: Seizure-European Journal of Epilepsy. - : Elsevier BV. - 1059-1311. ; 38, s. 38-45
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: The European Union-funded E-PILEPSY network aims to improve awareness of, and accessibility to, epilepsy surgery across Europe. In this study we assessed current clinical practices in epilepsy monitoring units (EMUs) in the participating centers. Method: A 60-item web-based survey was distributed to 25 centers (27 EMUs) of the E-PILEPSY network across 22 European countries. The questionnaire was designed to evaluate the characteristics of EMUs, including organizational aspects, admission, and observation of patients, procedures performed, safety issues, cost, and reimbursement. Results: Complete responses were received from all (100%) EMUs surveyed. Continuous observation of patients was performed in 22 (81%) EMUs during regular working hours, and in 17 EMUs (63%) outside of regular working hours. Fifteen (56%) EMUs requested a signed informed consent before admission. All EMUs performed tapering/withdrawal of antiepileptic drugs, 14 (52%) prior to admission to an EMU. Specific protocols on antiepileptic drugs (AED) tapering were available in four (15%) EMUs. Standardized Operating Procedures (SOP) for the treatment of seizure clusters and status epilepticus were available in 16 (59%). Safety measures implemented by EMUs were: alarm seizure buttons in 21 (78%), restricted patient's ambulation in 19 (70%), guard rails in 16 (59%), and specially designated bathrooms in 7 (26%). Average costs for one inpatient day in EMU ranged between 100 and 2200 Euros. Conclusion: This study shows a considerable diversity in the organization and practice patterns across European epilepsy monitoring units. The collected data may contribute to the development and implementation of evidence-based recommended practices in LTM services across Europe. (C) 2016 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. on behalf of British Epilepsy Association.
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| 6. |
- Ben-Menachem, Elinor, 1945, et al.
(författare)
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Efficacy and safety of brivaracetam for partial-onset seizures in 3 pooled clinical studies
- 2016
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Ingår i: Neurology. - 0028-3878. ; 87:3, s. 314-323
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: To assess the efficacy, safety, and tolerability of adjunctive brivaracetam (BRV), a selective, high-affinity ligand for SV2A, for treatment of partial-onset (focal) seizures (POS) in adults. Methods: Data were pooled from patients (aged 16-80 years) with POS uncontrolled by 1 to 2 antiepileptic drugs receiving BRV 50, 100, or 200 mg/d or placebo, without titration, in 3 phase III studies of BRV (NCT00490035, NCT00464269, and NCT01261325, ClinicalTrials.gov, funded by UCB Pharma). The studies had an 8 -week baseline and a 12 -week treatment period. Patients receiving concomitant levetiracetam were excluded from the efficacy pool. Results: In the efficacy population (n = 1,160), reduction over placebo (95% confidence interval) in baseline-adjusted POS frequency/28 days was 19.5% (8.0%-29.6%) for 50 mg/d (p = 0.0015), 24.4% (16.8%-31.2%) for 100 mg/d (p < 0.00001), and 24.0% (15.3%-31.8%) for 200 mg/d (p < 0.00001). The >50% responder rate was 34.2% (50 mg/d, p 0.0015), 39.5% (100 mg/d, p < 0.00001), and 37.8% (200 mg/d, p = 0.00003) vs 20.3% for placebo (p < 0.01). Across the safety population groups (n = 1,262), 90.0% to 93.9% completed the studies. Treatment -emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were reported by 68.0% BRV overall (n 803) and 62.1% placebo (n = 459). Serious TEAEs were reported by 3.0% (BRV) and 2.8% (placebo); 3 patients receiving BRV and one patient receiving placebo died. TEAEs in >5% patients taking BRV (vs placebo) were somnolence (15.2% vs 8.5%), dizziness (11.2% vs 7.2%), headache (9.6% vs 10.2%), and fatigue (8.7% vs 3.7%). Conclusions: Adjunctive BRV was effective and generally well tolerated in adults with POS.
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