SUDEP classification: Discordances between forensic investigators and epileptologists.


Journal

Epilepsia
ISSN: 1528-1167
Titre abrégé: Epilepsia
Pays: United States
ID NLM: 2983306R

Informations de publication

Date de publication:
11 2020
Historique:
received: 07 07 2020
revised: 28 08 2020
accepted: 09 09 2020
pubmed: 17 10 2020
medline: 4 2 2021
entrez: 16 10 2020
Statut: ppublish

Résumé

We compared sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) diagnosis rates between North American SUDEP Registry (NASR) epileptologists and original death investigators, to determine degree and causes of discordance. In 220 SUDEP cases with post-mortem examination, we recorded the epileptologist adjudications and medical examiner- and coroner- (ME/C) listed causes of death (CODs). COD diagnosis concordance decreased with NASR's uncertainty in the SUDEP diagnosis: highest for Definite SUDEP (84%, n = 158), lower in Definite Plus (50%, n = 36), and lowest in Possible (0%, n = 18). Rates of psychiatric comorbidity, substance abuse, and toxicology findings for drugs of abuse were all higher in discordant cases than concordant cases. Possible SUDEP cases, an understudied group, were significantly older, and had higher rates of cardiac, drug, or toxicology findings than more certain SUDEP cases. With a potentially contributing or competing COD, ME/Cs favored non-epilepsy-related diagnoses, suggesting a bias toward listing CODs with structural or toxicological findings; SUDEP has no pathognomonic features. A history of epilepsy should always be listed on death certificates and autopsy reports. Even without an alternate COD, ME/Cs infrequently classified COD as "SUDEP." Improved collaboration and communication between epilepsy and ME/C communities improve diagnostic accuracy, as well as bereavement and research opportunities.

Identifiants

pubmed: 33063853
doi: 10.1111/epi.16712
doi:

Types de publication

Journal Article Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Langues

eng

Sous-ensembles de citation

IM

Pagination

e173-e178

Subventions

Organisme : American Epilepsy Society
Pays : International
Organisme : Finding A Cure for Epilepsy and Seizures
Pays : International
Organisme : H. Lundbeck A/S
Pays : International

Informations de copyright

© 2020 International League Against Epilepsy.

Références

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Auteurs

Chloe Verducci (C)

Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.

Daniel Friedman (D)

Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.

Elizabeth J Donner (EJ)

Division of Neurology, The Hospital for Sick Children, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Juliana Laze (J)

Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.

Orrin Devinsky (O)

Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA.

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