Electroencephalographic Abnormalities are Common in COVID-19 and are Associated with Outcomes.

OBJECTIVE: The aim was to determine the prevalence and risk factors for electrographic seizures and other electroencephalographic (EEG) patterns in patients with Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) undergoing clinically indicated continuous electroencephalogram (cEEG) monitoring and to assess whether EEG findings are associated with outcomes. METHODS: We identified 197 patients with COVID-19 referred for cEEG at 9 participating centers. Medical records and EEG reports were reviewed retrospectively to determine the incidence of and clinical risk factors for seizures and other epileptiform patterns. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis assessed the relationship between EEG patterns and clinical outcomes. RESULTS: Electrographic seizures were detected in 19 (9.6%) patients, including nonconvulsive status epilepticus (NCSE) in 11 (5.6%). Epileptiform abnormalities (either ictal or interictal) were present in 96 (48.7%). Preceding clinical seizures during hospitalization were associated with both electrographic seizures (36.4% in those with vs 8.1% in those without prior clinical seizures, odds ratio [OR] 6.51, p = 0.01) and NCSE (27.3% vs 4.3%, OR 8.34, p = 0.01). A pre-existing intracranial lesion on neuroimaging was associated with NCSE (14.3% vs 3.7%; OR 4.33, p = 0.02). In multivariate analysis of outcomes, electrographic seizures were an independent predictor of in-hospital mortality (hazard ratio [HR] 4.07 [1.44-11.51], p < 0.01). In competing risks analysis, hospital length of stay increased in the presence of NCSE (30 day proportion discharged with vs without NCSE: HR 0.21 [0.03-0.33] vs 0.43 [0.36-0.49]). INTERPRETATION: This multicenter retrospective cohort study demonstrates that seizures and other epileptiform abnormalities are common in patients with COVID-19 undergoing clinically indicated cEEG and are associated with adverse clinical outcomes. ANN NEUROL 2021;89:872-883.

Gaps in care following first time seizure in an underserved region: A retrospective analysis.

PURPOSE: This study investigated the characteristics of patients presenting with the first-time seizure (FTS) and whether neurology follow-up occurred in a medically underserved area. METHODS: A retrospective study of adults with a FTS discharged from the Emergency Department (ED) at Loma Linda University between January 1, 2017 and December 31, 2018 was performed. The primary outcome was days from the ED visit to the first neurology visit. Secondary outcomes included repeat ED visits, percentage of patients who had specialty assessment in one year, type of neurologist seen, and percentage lost to follow-up. RESULTS: Of the 1327 patients screened, 753 encounters met criteria for manual review, and after exclusion criteria were applied, 66 unique encounters were eligible. Only 30% of FTS patients followed up with a neurologist. The median duration for neurology follow-up was 92 days (range=5-1180). After initial ED visit, 20% of follow-up patients were diagnosed with epilepsy within 189 days, and 20% of patients re-presented to the ED with recurrent seizures while awaiting their initial neurology appointment. Reasons for lack of follow-up included: referral issues, missed appointments, and shortage of available neurologists. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the significant treatment gap that a first-time seizure clinic (FTSC) could fill in underserved communities. FTSC may reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with untreated recurrent seizures.

Early Detection of Cerebral Herniation by Continuous Electroencephalography and Quantitative Analysis.

Continuous electroencephalography (cEEG) and quantitative analysis of EEG (qEEG) are used in various circumstances such as detecting seizures, identifying acute or delayed cerebral ischemia, monitoring sedative therapy, or assessing prognosis. The authors report 2 cases: (1) Case #1 was a patient with unilateral cerebral edema and uncal herniation with asymmetric cEEG and qEEG changes detected an hour before clinical examination changes were noted and (2) Case #2 was a patient with diffuse cerebral edema and trans-tentorial herniation with symmetric cEEG and qEEG changes detected an hour before clinical examination changes were noted. These cases demonstrate the ability of cEEG and qEEG in early detection of different types of cerebral herniation. qEEG can be utilized by intensive care unit (ICU) staff not trained in EEG interpretation as a surveillance method to detect cerebral herniation, which may provide an opportunity for early intervention in high-risk patients.

Epilepsy during the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown: a US population survey.

OBJECTIVE: This study sought to understand issues facing people with epilepsy (PWE) during the lockdown period of the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States. METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study using a 20-question survey that used SeziureTracker.com, sent to eligible PWE and their caregivers on May 6th, 2020. Questions about demographics and medical history were used to calculate COVID mortality risk odds ratios (OR) compared to a low baseline risk group. RESULTS: In total, 505 responses were collected. Of these, 71% reported no change in seizure rates and 25% reported an increase in seizures, which they attributed primarily to disrupted sleep (63%) and decreased exercise (42%). Mortality risks from COVID-19 had median OR of 1.67, ranging 1.00-906.98. Fear about hospitalization (53%) and concern for loved ones (52%) were prominent concerns. Of the respondents, 5% reported stopping or reducing anti-seizure medications due to problems communicating with doctors, access or cost. Lower-risk COVID patients reported more fear of hospitalization (55% versus 38%, p<0.001) and anxiety about medication access (43% versus 28%, p=0.03) compared with higher-risk COVID patients. Increased anxiety was reported in 47%, and increased depression in 28%. Ten percent without generalized convulsions and 8% with did not know anything about epilepsy devices (VNS, RNS, DBS). SIGNIFICANCE: The COVID-19 pandemic presents unique challenges to PWE, including increased seizure rates, problems with access and cost of life-saving medications. Those with lower COVID-19 risk may have been marginalized more than those with higher risk. Efforts to protect PWE during major public health emergencies should take these findings into account.