Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy: knowledge and experience among U.S. and Canadian neurologists.

ABSTRACT:

Importance

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a common cause of mortality in patients with the disease, but it is unknown how neurologists disclose this risk when counseling patients.

Objective

This study aimed at examining SUDEP discussion practices of neurologists in the U.S. and Canada.

Design

An electronic, web-based survey was sent to 17,558 neurologists in the U.S. and Canada. Survey questions included frequency of SUDEP discussion, reasons for discussing/not discussing SUDEP, timing of SUDEP discussions, and perceived patient reactions. We examined factors that influence the frequency of SUDEP discussion and perceived patient response using multivariate logistic regression.

Participants

The participants of this study were neurologists who com

SUBMITTER: Friedman D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4176608 | biostudies-literature | 2014 Jun

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature