Predictors of adverse effects to antiseizure drugs in adult patients with epilepsy from Colombia: A case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) to antiseizure therapy can worsen the quality of life, reduce adherence, and potentially lead to treatment discontinuation and uncontrolled seizures. OBJECTIVES: The aim of the study was to develop a prognostic model for ADRs to antiseizure therapy in adult patients with epilepsy from Colombia. METHODS: This case-control study included adult patients with epilepsy, who were separated into two groups: one group with ADRs to antiseizure therapy (cases), as determined by a complete evaluation conducted by an epileptologist, and another group without ADRs (controls). Variables were analyzed to identify statistical differences between the two groups and were then selected to construct a prognostic model using logistic regression. The Bonferroni method was applied for multiple comparisons. RESULTS: Three hundred fifty-four patients with epilepsy were studied. One hundred and fifty (42%) patients had ADRs and 204 (57%) patients did not have ADs. A total of 362 ADRs were reported, with a third of them being general symptoms and most frequently occurring with older-generation antiseizure drugs (58%). Female sex, drug-resistant epilepsy, LEV, and CZP were risk factors, whereras the presence of tumoral etiology, absence of seizure triggers, and VPA were identified as protective factors. A prognostic model was constructed using previously reported risk factors for ADRs to antiseizure therapy and other variables available in this population study. In the multivariable analysis, the number of previously used antiseizure drugs (1, 2, or ≥3), TPM, CZP, LEV, PHT, and female sex were predictors of ADRs. The corrected p-values were estimated by the Bonferroni method; however, not all the variables achieved statistical significance with this adjustment. CONCLUSIONS: In adult patients with epilepsy from Colombia, we found that the number of previously used antiseizure drugs, TPM, CZP, LEV, PHT, and female sex were predictive factors for ADRs to antiseizure therapy.

Multivariable prediction model of drug resistance in adult patients with generalized epilepsy from Colombia: A case-control study.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) account for most of the burden of epilepsy, and they have poor prognosis in seizure control, higher morbidity, and mortality. OBJECTIVES: The objective of the study was to develop a prognostic model of drug resistance in adult patients with generalized epilepsy from Colombia. METHODS: In this case-control study of patients with generalized epilepsy, patients were separated into two groups: one group with DRE (cases) according to the new International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) definition after a complete evaluation performed by an epileptologist and the other group without DRE (control). Variables were analyzed to identify statistical differences between groups and were then selected to construct a prognostic model from a logistic regression. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-three patients with generalized epilepsy were studied. Thirty-eight (28.5%) patients had DRE, and 95 (71.5%) did not have DRE. History of status epilepticus, abnormal findings from neurological examination, aura, any degree of cognitive impairment, epileptic seizures at any moment of the day, and any comorbidity were risk factors. The presence of seizures only in the waking state and idiopathic etiology were protective factors. A prognostic model was constructed with previously reported risk factors for DRE and other variables available in the population of this study. In the multivariable analysis, the history of status epilepticus (odds ratio (OR): 5.6, confidence interval (CI): 1.1-20.0, p = 0.031), abnormal findings from neurological examination (OR: 5.7, CI: 2.3-13.9, p = 0.000), and aura (OR: 6.1, CI: 1.8-20.8, p = 0.003) were strongly associated with DRE. CONCLUSIONS: In adult patients with generalized epilepsy, aura, abnormal findings from neurological examination, and history of status epilepticus were predictive factors for DRE.

A novel treatment-responsive encephalitis with frequent opsoclonus and teratoma.

Among 249 patients with teratoma-associated encephalitis, 211 had N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antibodies and 38 were negative for these antibodies. Whereas antibody-positive patients rarely developed prominent brainstem-cerebellar symptoms, 22 (58%) antibody-negative patients developed a brainstem-cerebellar syndrome, which in 45% occurred with opsoclonus. The median age of these patients was 28.5 years (range = 12-41), 91% were women, and 74% had full recovery after therapy and tumor resection. These findings uncover a novel phenotype of paraneoplastic opsoclonus that until recently was likely considered idiopathic or postinfectious. The triad of young age (teenager to young adult), systemic teratoma, and high response to treatment characterize this novel brainstem-cerebellar syndrome.

Tratamiento del estado epiléptico, consenso de expertos. Asociación Colombiana de Neurología, Comité de Epilepsia / Treatment of status epilepticus, an expert consensus report. Colombian Neurology Association - Epilepsy Committee

RESUMEN INTRODUCCIÓN: El estado epiléptico (EE) es una condición ocasionada por la falla en los mecanismos de supresión de las crisis epilépticas. Se considera como una urgencia neurológica y obliga al profesional de la salud a conocer las características de presentación para poder estabilizar al paciente. La mortalidad varía entre el 2 % y el 50 % según el grupo etario. OBJETIVO: Construir una serie de sugerencias para el tratamiento del EE, como resultado del consenso por común acuerdo de expertos en epilepsia, teniendo en cuenta el contexto colombiano. MÉTODOS: Se llevó a cabo un consenso formal de expertos con 16 neurólogos-epileptólogos de adultos y niños. Las preguntas y sugerencias fueron revisadas en dos fases, donde fueron calificadas y consensuadas por los participantes. RESULTADOS: Se evaluaron 15 preguntas, con sus respectivas sugerencias sobre el manejo del estado epiléptico, se tuvieron en cuenta referencias bibliográficas relevantes consideradas por los expertos y de acuerdo con el contexto colombiano. CONCLUSIONES: Los resultados de este consenso presentan una serie de sugerencias para el tratamiento del estado epiléptico tanto en los primeros niveles de atención como en los de alta complejidad para mejorar el pronóstico del paciente, de acuerdo con el contexto colombiano.

SUMMARY INTRODUCTION: Status epilepticus is a condition caused by failure in the mechanisms of suppression of epileptic seizures. It is considered a neurological emergency, and mortality varies between 2 % to 50 % according to the age group. Due to the above, it is relevant that health professionals know the characteristics of SE in order to stabilize the patient. OBJECTIVE: To define a series of propositions for the treatment of SE, as a result of consensus by common agreement of experts in epilepsy, taking into account the Colombian context. METHODS: A formal consensus of experts was carried out with 16 adult and pediatric neurologists-epilep-tologists. The questions and propositions were reviewed in two phases, where they were graded and agreed by the participants. RESULTS: Fifteen questions were evaluated on the management of status epilepticus. Relevant bibliographic references were considered by the experts according to the Colombian context. CONCLUSIONS: As results of this consensus we present a series of propositions for the treatment of status epilepticus for the primary level of care and high complexity level of care in order to improve the patient's prognosis, according to the Colombian context.

Late diagnosis of limbic encephalitis associated with LGI1 antibodies leading to relapses / Diagnóstico tardio de encefalite límbica associada a anticorpos LGI1 que levam a recidivas / Diagnóstico tardío de encefalitis límbica asociada a anticuerpos LGI1 que llevan a recidivas

Autoimmune encephalitis has been a subject of research in the past few years; most of the cases are non-paraneoplastic and associated with an antibody to a surface protein of neurons. Studies have shown that VGKC complex is indeed represented by three proteins, and LGI1 is the most prevalent in limbic encephalitis. This entity is characterized by monophasic presentation with acute or subacute onset, memory loss, confusion, seizures and psychiatric symptoms. The presentation of anti-LGI1 antibodies in serum or CSF confirms the diagnosis. The treatment consists of immunotherapy with good clinical response, which is a criterion for diagnosis. We report a case of a patient with diagnosis confirmed six months after the symptoms onset, improvement after immunotherapy, but with episodes of relapse.

A encefalite autoimune tem sido assunto de pesquisa nos últimos anos, a maioria dos casos é não paraneoplásica e associada ao anticorpo para uma proteína de superfície dos neurônios. Estudos têm mostrado que o complexo VGKC é efetivamente representado por três proteínas, e a LGI1 é a mais prevalente na encefalite límbica. Essa entidade é caracterizada por apresentação monofásica com início agudo ou subagudo, perda de memória, confusão mental, crises convulsivas e sintomas psiquiátricos. A apresentação de anticorpos anti-LGI1 no soro ou no LCE confirma o diagnóstico. O tratamento consiste em imunoterapia com boa resposta clínica, que é um critério diagnóstico. Relatamos o caso de um paciente com diagnóstico confirmado seis meses após o início dos sintomas, com melhora após imunoterapia, porém com episódios de recaídas.

La encefalitis autoinmune ha sido asunto de investigación en los últimos años; la mayoría de los casos es no paraneoplásica y asociada al anticuerpo para una proteína de superficie de las neuronas. Estudios han mostrado que el complejo VGKC es efectivamente representado por tres proteínas, y la LGI1 es la más prevalente en la encefalitis límbica. Esa entidad es caracterizada por presentación monofásica con inicio agudo o subagudo, pérdida de memoria, confusión mental, crisis convulsivas y síntomas psiquiátricos. La presentación de anticuerpos anti-LGI1 en el suero o en el LCE confirma el diagnóstico. El tratamiento consiste en inmunoterapia con buena respuesta clínica, que es un criterio diagnóstico. Relatamos el caso de un paciente con diagnóstico confirmado seis meses después del inicio de los síntomas, con mejora después de inmunoterapia, aunque con episodios de recaídas.

Anti-NMDAR encephalitis: a rare cause of status epilepticus and chorea in children / Encefalite anti-NMDA: uma causa rara de estado de mal epiléptico e coréia em crianças

Introduction: the anti- N-methyl-D-aspartate-receptor (NMDAR) encephalitis is a relatively rare auto-immune disease characterized by a severe encephalopathy with subacute onset of behavioral and neuropsychiatric symptoms. Methods: we discuss three cases of children with encephalitis in which we identified anti-NMDAR antibodies. Results: the three patients had similar onset symptoms: status epilepticus followed by behavioral changes and chorea. Conclusions: encephalitis anti- NMDAR should be included in the differential diagnosis of acute and subacute encephalitis in children presenting status epilepticus and extrapyramidal movement disorder...

Introdução: a encefalite com anticorpos anti-receptor N-metil-D-aspartato (NMDAR) é uma doença autoimune relativamente rara, caracterizada por uma encefalopatia grave com aparecimento de sintomas comportamentais e neuropsiquiátricos de forma subaguda. Métodos: discutir três casos de crianças com encefalite em que identificamos anticorpos anti-NMDAR. Resultados: os três pacientes tiveram o início dos sintomas semelhantes: estado de mal epiléptico seguido de alterações comportamentais e coréia. Conclusões: encefalite anti-NMDAR deve ser incluído no diagnóstico diferencial de encefalite aguda e subaguda em crianças com estado de mal epiléptico e distúrbio de movimento...

EEG and magnetic resonance imaging abnormalities in patients with acute limbic encephalitis / Anormalidades de EEG e ressonância magnética em pacientes com encefalite límbica aguda

OBJECTIVE: To describe the characteristics of electroencephalography (EEG) and MRI in patients with acute limbic encephalitis (LE). PATIENTS AND METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 57 patients with diagnosis of LE from May 1994 to April 2010 and selected those with available EEG and MRI records. We analyzed EEG characteristics (type of abnormality, location and periodicity), reviewed MRIs and compared both. RESULTS: We included 22 patients, age ranging from 3 months to 71 years. EEG was abnormal in 21 patients (95.5%): Periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges (PLEDs) in 9 patients (40.9%), epileptiform discharges and/or temporal slow waves in 7 (31.8%) and 5 (22.7 %) with only background slowing. MRI showed abnormalities in temporal lobes of 19 patients (86.4%). The presence of PLEDs was strongly associated with hyperintense MRI-FLAIR signal involving hippocampus and temporal lobe cortex. Bilateral periodic lateralized epileptiform discharges (Bi-PLEDs) seen in two patients were related to extensive symmetrical bitemporal hyperintense MRI-FLAIR signal. Three patients with PLEDs had only mild ipsilateral FLAIR-hyperintense abnormalities, while contralateral temporal areas were moderate to severely affected on MRI. In four patients with smaller asymmetric bilateral lesions we observed PLEDs in the most affected side. Diffuse slow waves were observed in three patients with discrete hyperintense signal on MRI. CONCLUSION: PLEDs are a typical EEG finding in LE, but not present in all cases. However EEG may predict the extension of MRI abnormalities: slow, mild and nonspecific EEG abnormalities may be related to discrete MRI lesions, while PLEDs to extensive lesions. Moreover, in bilateral, asymmetrical and widespread lesions PLEDS may be contralateral to the most affected ("burned-out") area on MRI.

OBJETIVO: descrever as características de EEG e ressonância magnética em pacientes com encefalite límbica aguda (EL). PACIENTES E MÉTODOS: Foram analisados retrospectivamente os prontuários de 57 pacientes com diagnóstico de EL de maio de 1994 a abril de 2010 e selecionados aqueles com registros disponíveis de eletroencefalograma e ressonância magnética. Analisamos as características do EEG (tipo de anormalidade, a localização e periodicidade) e ressonância magnética e comparamos os resultados dos dois exames. RESULTADOS: Foram incluídos 22 pacientes, com idade variando de 3 meses a 71 anos. O EEG foi anormal em 21 pacientes (95,5%): Descargas periódicas epileptiformes lateralizadas (PLEDs) em 9 pacientes (40,9%), descargas epileptiformes e /ou ondas lentas temporais em 7 (31,8%) e 5 (22,7%) com apenas lentificação da atividade de base. A ressonância magnética mostrou anormalidades nos lobos temporais de 19 pacientes (86,4%). A presença de PLEDs foi fortemente associada com o sinal FLAIR-RM hiperintenso envolvendo hipocampo e córtex do lobo temporal. Bi-PLEDs (descargas periódicas epileptiformes bilaterais) visto em dois pacientes estavam relacionados com extensa alteração de sinal FLAIR-RM bitemporal simétrica. Três pacientes com PLEDs apresentaram apenas anormalidades leves ipsilaterais nas imagens FLAIR, enquanto que a ressonância magnética mostrou áreas em lobo temporal contralateral com alterações de sinal moderadas a intensa. Em quatro pacientes com pequenas lesões bilaterais assimétricas na RM observamos PLEDs no lado mais afetado. Ondas lentas difusas foram observadas em três pacientes com hipersinal discreto na ressonância magnética. CONCLUSÃO: PLEDs são achados típicos de EEG na LE, mas não estão presentes em todos os casos. No entanto o EEG pode prever a extensão de alterações à RM: Anormalidades EEG leves do tipo ondas lentas podem estar relacionada a lesões discretas de ressonância magnética, enquanto PLEDs estão relacionados à lesões extensas. Além disso, em lesões bilaterais, assimétricas e difusas nas imagens FLAIR os PLEDs podem estar localizados no lobo temporal contralateral à zona mais afetada na ressonância magnética.