| 1. |
- Karlander, Markus, et al.
(författare)
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Post-traumatic epilepsy in adults: a nationwide register-based study
- 2021
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Ingår i: Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery and Psychiatry. - : BMJ. - 0022-3050 .- 1468-330X. ; 92:6, s. 617-621
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of epilepsy. Our aim was to characterise the risk of epilepsy in adults after hospitalisation for TBI. Methods Register-based cohort study. All individuals aged 18-100 with a first hospitalisation for TBI in the comprehensive national patient register in Sweden between 2000 and 2010 (n=111 947) and three controls per exposed (n=325 881), matched on age and sex were included. Exposed individuals were categorised according to TBI severity. Kaplan-Meier curves were used to estimate the risk of epilepsy and Cox regression to estimate the hazard in univariate or multivariate regression. Results The 10-year risk of epilepsy was 12.9% (95% CI 11.7% to 14.1%) for focal cerebral injuries, 8.1% (95% CI 7.5% to 8.7%) for diffuse cerebral injuries, 7.3% (95% CI 6.9% to 7.7%) for extracerebral injuries, 2.8% (95% CI 2.4% to 3.2%) for skull fractures and 2.6% (95% CI 2.4% to 2.8%) for mild TBI. The risk of epilepsy after any TBI was 4.0% (95% CI 3.8% to 4.2%). The corresponding 10-year risk for controls was 0.9% (95% CI 0.9% to 0.9%). The HR increased with a more severe injury, from 3.0 (95% CI 2.8 to 3.2) for mild injury to 16.0 (95% CI 14.5 to 17.5) for focal cerebral injury. Multivariable analyses identified central nervous system (CNS) comorbidities as risk factors, but TBI remained significant also after adjustment for these. Other identified risk factors were male sex, age, mechanical ventilation and seizure during index hospitalisation. Conclusion The risk of post-traumatic epilepsy is considerable, also with adjustments for CNS comorbidities.
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| 2. |
- Karlander, Markus, et al.
(författare)
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Risk and cause of death in post-traumatic epilepsy: a register-based retrospective cohort study
- 2022
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Ingår i: Journal of Neurology. - : Springer Science and Business Media LLC. - 0340-5354 .- 1432-1459. ; 269:11, s. 6014-6020
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective Post-traumatic epilepsy (PTE) is common, but its impact on survival after traumatic brain injury (TBI) of different severity and in different demographic patient groups is unknown. We analyzed the risk of death associated with PTE with adjustment for TBI severity, causes of death, and the contribution of epilepsy as direct or contributing cause of death. Methods Register-based, retrospective cohort study. All individuals hospitalized in Sweden for a TBI between 2000 and 2010 without prior seizures were identified in the National Patient Register, with follow-up until 2017. Subsequent epilepsy was identified by ICD-10 codes. Time-dependent Cox proportional hazard ratio (HR) was used to assess hazard of death, with epilepsy as a time-updated covariate. Adjusted analyses for age, gender, injury severity and comorbidities were also performed. Causes of death were analyzed using the Cause of Death Register. Results Among 111 947 individuals with TBI, subsequent epilepsy diagnosis was associated with a crude HR of 2.3 (95% CI: 2.2-2.4) for death. Stratified analyses showed a HR of 7.8 (95% CI: 6.5-9.4) for death in younger individuals. Epilepsy was a more common underlying cause of death in younger individuals. Conclusion PTE is associated with a higher risk of death and epilepsy seems to contribute to a significant proportion of deaths, especially in younger age groups. Future studies on whether improved epilepsy treatment can reduce mortality are needed.
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| 3. |
- Magnusson, Carl, 1976, et al.
(författare)
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Prehospital lactate levels in blood as a seizure biomarker : A multi-center observational study.
- 2021
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Ingår i: Epilepsia. - : Wiley. - 0013-9580 .- 1528-1167. ; 62:2, s. 408-415
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to assess the value of prehospital measurement of lactate level in blood for diagnosis of seizures in cases of transient loss of consciousness.METHODS: Between March 2018 and September 2019, prehospital lactate was measured with a point-of-care device by the emergency medical services in an area serving a population of 900 000. A total of 383 cases of transient loss of consciousness were identified and categorized as tonic-clonic seizure (TCS), other seizure, syncope, or other cause, according to the final diagnosis in the electronic medical records system. Receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were used to identify the optimal lactate cut-off.RESULTS: A total of 383 cases were included (135 TCS, 42 other seizure, 163 syncope, and 43 other causes). The median lactate level in TCS was 7.0 mmol/L, compared to a median of 2.0 mmol/L in all other cases (P < .001). The area under the curve (AUC) of TCS vs nonepileptic causes was 0.87 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.83-0.91). The optimal cut-off (Youden index, 67.8%) was 4.75 mmol/L, with 79% sensitivity (95% CI 71-85) and 89% specificity (95% CI 85-93) for TCS.SIGNIFICANCE: Prehospital lactate can be a valuable tool for identifying seizures in transient loss of consciousness. For acceptable specificity, a higher cut-off than that previously demonstrated for hospital-based measurements must be used when values obtained close to the time of the event are interpreted.
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| 4. |
- Akel, Sarah, et al.
(författare)
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Neurofilament light, glial fibrillary acidic protein, and tau in a regional epilepsy cohort: High plasma levels are rare but related to seizures
- 2023
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Ingår i: Epilepsia. - 0013-9580. ; 64:10, s. 2690-2700
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective: Higher levels of biochemical blood markers of brain injury have been described immediately after tonic-clonic seizures and in drug-resistant epilepsy, but the levels of such markers in epilepsy in general have not been well characterized. We analyzed neurofilament light (NfL), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and tau in a regional hospital-based epilepsy cohort and investigated what proportion of patients have levels suggesting brain injury, and whether certain epilepsy features are associated with high levels.Methods: Biomarker levels were measured in 204 patients with an epilepsy diagnosis participating in a prospective regional biobank study, with age and sex distribution correlating closely to that of all patients seen for epilepsy in the health care region. Absolute biomarker levels were assessed between two patient groups: patients reporting seizures within the 2 months preceding inclusion and patients who did not have seizures for more than 1 year. We also assessed the proportion of patients with above-normal levels of NfL.Results: NfL and GFAP, but not tau, increased with age. Twenty-seven patients had abnormally high levels of NfL. Factors associated with such levels were recent seizures (p = .010) and epileptogenic lesion on radiology (p = .001). Levels of NfL (p = .006) and GFAP (p = .032) were significantly higher in young patients (<65 years) with seizures & LE;2 months before inclusion compared to those who reported no seizures for >1 year. NfL and GFAP correlated weakly with the number of days since last seizure (NfL: r(s) = -.228, p = .007; GFAP: r(s) = -.167, p = .048) in young patients. NfL also correlated weakly with seizure frequency in the last 2 months (r(s) = .162, p = .047).Significance: Most patients with epilepsy do not have biochemical evidence of brain injury. The association with seizures merits further study; future studies should aim for longitudinal sampling and examine whether individual variations in NfL or GFAP levels could reflect seizure activity.
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| 5. |
- Akel, Sarah, et al.
(författare)
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Protein profiling in plasma for biomarkers of seizure
- 2023
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Ingår i: Epilepsy Research. - 0920-1211. ; 197
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: A biochemical way to measure seizures would greatly benefit epilepsy research and clinical follow-up. Short-term biomarkers like lactate exist, and interest in biomarkers representative of longer-term seizure burden is growing. In this exploratory study, we aimed to identify markers in blood plasma that differentiate persons with recent seizures from persons with epilepsy and long-standing seizure freedom. Methods: A proteomic analysis was performed on plasma samples of 120 persons with seizures using the Olink Neuro-exploratory panel. Participants were selected from a regional biobank study in Va center dot stra Go center dot taland (Sweden) and categorized into two groups: recent seizure and seizure-free. The panel contained 92 proteins linked to neurological diseases and processes, and levels of these proteins were compared between the patient groups to identify potential markers of seizure activity. Results: We identified significant differences in protein levels between the recent seizure and seizure-free patient groups for Cadherin-15 [(CDH15; p = 0.008)], Latent transforming growth factor beta-binding protein 3 [(LTBP3; p = 0.002)], Phosphoethanolamine/phosphocholine phosphatase 1 [(PHOSPHO1; p = 0.011)], and Progestagen associated endometrial protein [(PAEP; p = 0.0005)]. Conclusion: The findings in this study present CDH15, LTBP3, PHOSPHO1 and PAEP as candidate markers of seizure activity. Further confirmatory studies are needed.
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| 6. |
- Andersson, Klara, et al.
(författare)
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Multiple stigma among first-generation immigrants with epilepsy in Sweden
- 2021
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Ingår i: Epilepsy and Behavior. - : Elsevier BV. - 1525-5050. ; 115
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objectives: To investigate the meaning of stigma among first-generation immigrants with epilepsy in Sweden. Methods: Data were collected by individual face-to-face interviews with 25 first-generation immigrants with epilepsy from 18 different countries. Interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed systematically using a hermeneutic approach. Results: Multiple aspects of stigma were associated with epilepsy, immigration, and socioeconomic deprivation. The main theme “It is a fight to be appreciated as a person and member of society” illuminated the meaning of stigma in the struggle with a negative self-image and strategies to build self-confidence. The seizure-related fears were amplified by language barriers and a lack of knowledge of the healthcare system that obstructed access to health care. Few close relatives nearby or misconceptions of epilepsy in the family resulted in a lack of support. The stigma of being an immigrant and of socioeconomic deprivation resulted in feelings of being unvalued by the society in addition to feelings of being unvalued in relationships and at work because of epilepsy. The social isolation experienced as a result of immigration was increased due to the presence of perceived stigma due to epilepsy which led people to stay at home in order to conceal their epilepsy. At the same time, to inform others about their epilepsy could reduce seizure-related fears. Employment appeared as a symbol of being a capable person and helped participants gain self-confidence. Conclusions: Barriers to access health care and the exposure to multiple stigma can result in increased seizure-related fears, social isolation, and a lack of support for immigrants with epilepsy. In the context of epilepsy and immigration, stigma was intricately connected to how people perceived themselves as capable and contributing members of society. To reduce the negative influence of stigma, employment appeared vital to build self-confidence and break social isolation. Investigating the patient's experience of stigma may provide healthcare professionals with valuable information on the need for support and priorities in epilepsy management. Public efforts to increase knowledge about epilepsy also among first-generation immigrants would be valuable. © 2020 Elsevier Inc.
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| 7. |
- Andersson, Klara, et al.
(författare)
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Perceived stigma in adults with epilepsy in Sweden and associations with country of birth, socioeconomic status, and mental health
- 2022
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Ingår i: Epilepsy & Behavior. - : Elsevier BV. - 1525-5050. ; 136
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Background: Stigma contributes to negative health outcomes and amplifies health disparities in epilepsy. This study aimed to investigate associations of perceived stigma with the country of birth and socioeco-nomic status (SES). Methods: This is a cross-sectional questionnaire study. Participants were recruited consecutively from three demographically different neurology outpatient clinics in the southwest of Sweden. Participants responded to a questionnaire concerning their epilepsy, country of birth, mother tongue, and different SES-variables. The Neuro-QOL stigma scale and the Jacoby stigma scale were applied to assess stigma and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and PROMIS Mental Health scale were applied to assess mental health. Results: In total 161 adults with epilepsy were included in the cohort. The median Neuro-QOL stigma score was 48.3, and was higher among foreign-born than in native-born participants (foreign-born in non-European country 52.3, in other European country 49.8, and in native-born 47.0, p = 0.003). Other factors associated with Neuro-QOL were seizure frequency last year (>= 2 seizures 52.4 compared to 1 sei-zure 50.9 and no seizures 44.3, p < 0.001), having had seizures in public (yes 50.9 compared to no 44.7, p = 0.035), HADS depression score >= 11 (57.4 compared to 47.8 for score <11 points, p < 0.001), HADS anx-iety score >= 11 (53.5 compared to 46.8 for score <11 points, p < 0.001), and lower PROMIS Mental Health score (42.9 for PROMIS < 40 compared to 54.4 for PROMIS > 60, p < 0.01). A stepwise multiple regression analysis indicated that having had seizures the last year increased the average Neuro-QOL stigma score with 5.89 and appeared as the most determining factor for the Neuro-QOL stigma score among the vari-ables investigated. Conclusions: It is important that the concerns of foreign-born patients are acknowledged and that the focus of seizure control and the detection and treatment of comorbidities are prioritized in the manage-ment of epilepsy and perceived stigma. (c) 2022 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http:// creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
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| 8. |
- Andersson, Klara, et al.
(författare)
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Socioeconomic outcome and access to care in adults with epilepsy in Sweden: a nationwide cohort study
- 2020
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Ingår i: Seizure: European Journal of Epilepsy. - : Elsevier BV. - 1059-1311 .- 1532-2688. ; 74, s. 71-76
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Purpose: Epilepsy has well-documented associations with low income and low education levels, but the impact of a patient’s socioeconomic standing (SES) on the effects of epilepsy have been less studied. Method: We performed a register-based cross-sectional study and asked if SES was associated with more severe epilepsy or limited access to care in Sweden, where health care is universal, and if socioeconomic outcomes (employment and income) differed for persons with epilepsy (PWE) with different levels of educational attainment. The study cohort consisted of all adult patients with an epilepsy diagnosis in the Swedish patient register in 2000–2015 (n = 126,406) and controls (n = 379,131) matched for age, gender, and place of birth. Results: Somatic and psychiatric comorbidities were more common in PWE, while education and income levels were lower. Among PWE, hospitalizations were more common in persons with lower income or education. Having at least one prescription written by a neurologist in the study period was more common in the highincome and high-education groups. Finally, although low educational attainment was associated with low levels of income and inversely associated with employment in both persons with epilepsy and controls, regression analyses demonstrated that these associations were much more noticeable in cases than controls. Conclusions: We conclude that both the severity and consequences of epilepsy are greater in persons of low SES, even in a country with universal health care. This indicates that universal access may not be sufficient to mitigate socioeconomic inequity in epilepsy.
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| 9. |
- Andersson, Klara, et al.
(författare)
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Valproic acid and socioeconomic associations in Swedish women with epilepsy 2010-2015
- 2021
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Ingår i: Acta Neurologica Scandinavica. - : Hindawi Limited. - 0001-6314 .- 1600-0404. ; 143:4, s. 383-388
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- Objective We investigated the correlation between socioeconomic status and the prescription of Valproic acid (VPA) in women of fertile age in Sweden. Methods This is a registered-based cohort study including all women living in Sweden aged 18-45 years in the years 2010-2015, with a diagnosis of epilepsy and no intellectual disability (n = 9143). Data were collected from the National Patient Register, the Drug Prescription Register, and the Longitudinal integration database for health insurance and labor market studies (LISA). Results Women with only 9 years of school were more often prescribed VPA than women with a University degree (12.9% compared to 10.7% in 2015 [p = 0.015]). Similar differences were seen between the lowest and highest income group (16.6% compared to 12.7% in 2015 [p < 0.001]). The odds of having a VPA prescription in 2015 was 1.59 (p < 0.001) in women with 9 years of school compared to women with a University degree, and 1.60 (p < 0.001) in the lowest income group relative to the highest income group after adjusting for age. From 2010 to 2015, the proportion with VPA prescription in the whole cohort diminished with an absolute reduction of -2.2% (p < 0.001). The decrease was similar among the different education and income groups (p = 0.919 and p = 0.280). Significance The results indicate that the increased knowledge on VPA teratogenicity was implemented across socioeconomic strata in the Swedish healthcare system. Women with lower income or education level remained more frequent VPA users. Whether this difference reflects epilepsy type or severity, or socioeconomic disparities, merit further study.
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| 10. |
- Andrén, Kerstin, 1980, et al.
(författare)
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Adherence to anti-seizure medications in the Swedish Prospective Regional Epilepsy Database and Biobank for Individualized Clinical Treatment (PREDICT)
- 2023
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Ingår i: Epilepsy and Behavior Reports. - 2589-9864. ; 24
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Tidskriftsartikel (refereegranskat)abstract
- The aim of this study was to describe the extent of, and risk factors for, non-adherence to anti-seizure medications (ASMs) in adult people with epilepsy (PWE) in Sweden. A cross-sectional multi-centre study was performed of PWEs in western Sweden, with data from medical records, and a questionnaire filled in by the participants including self-reports on how often ASM doses had been forgotten during the past year. Participants were categorized into adherent if they forgot at 0–1 occasion, and non-adherent if they forgot at 2–10 or >10 occasions. Demographic and clinical factors were compared by Chi2- or Fisher's test and a logistic regression model was used to find risk factors for non-adherence. In the cohort of 416 PWE aged median 43, IQR 29–62 years, 398 patients were prescribed ASM treatment at inclusion, and 39 % (n = 154) were in the non-adherent group. Significant factors in the multivariable analysis were: younger age, seizure freedom the past year, valproate treatment and experiencing side effects. The rate of self-reported non-adherence was high, illustrating a need for continuous focus on fundamental aspects of epilepsy care. The identified risk factors could enable quality improvement projects and patient education to be directed to those at risk of non-adherence.
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