Your browser doesn't support javascript.
loading
Show: 20 | 50 | 100
Results 1 - 20 de 47
Filter
Add more filters

Country/Region as subject
Publication year range
1.
Epilepsy Behav ; 146: 109313, 2023 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37544193

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Suboptimal medication adherence is common in people with epilepsy (PWE) and disproportionally prevalent among racially/ethnically diverse patients. Understanding reasons and risks of suboptimal adherence is critical to developing interventions that reduce negative health outcomes. This cross-sectional study characterized common barriers to medication self-management, prevalence of negative medication beliefs, and gaps in epilepsy knowledge among predominantly African American and Caribbean American PWE and examined their interrelationships. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty-three PWE (Age = 42.1 ± 13.2; 60% female; 79% Black; 19% Hispanic/Latino) completed validated self-report questionnaires about medication self-management, medication beliefs, and epilepsy knowledge. Correlations and t-tests examined interrelationships. RESULTS: Four barriers to medication self-management were common, including not taking antiseizure medications at the same time every day, forgetting doses, not planning refills before running out, and spreading out doses when running low. More than half the sample believed medications were overused by prescribers. Nearly one-third believed medications were harmful, and nearly a quarter believed their antiseizure medications were minimally necessary with almost half reporting elevated concerns about negative consequences of antiseizure medications. Poorer medication self-management was associated with stronger beliefs that medications in general are harmful/overused by prescribers. Individuals who were "accepting" of their antiseizure medications (i.e., high perceived necessity, low concerns) were less likely to spread out time between doses when running low compared to non-accepting counterparts. Knowledge gaps related to the cause of seizures/epilepsy, chronicity of epilepsy treatment, and seizure semiology/diagnosis were common. Nevertheless, epilepsy knowledge was unrelated to medication self-management and medication beliefs. CONCLUSIONS: In these PWE, the most prevalent reasons for suboptimal medication self-management were behaviorally mediated and potentially modifiable. Negative medication beliefs and misconceptions about epilepsy and its treatment were common. Results further suggest that interventions addressing negative medication beliefs will be more effective than knowledge-based psychoeducation alone to improve medication self-management in this patient population.


Subject(s)
Epilepsy , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Self-Management , Adult , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Black or African American , Cross-Sectional Studies , Epilepsy/drug therapy , Epilepsy/epidemiology , Medication Adherence , Surveys and Questionnaires , United States , Caribbean People
2.
Epilepsy Behav ; 99: 106450, 2019 10.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31419635

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Anxiety disproportionately affects people with epilepsy (PWE) and leads to poor outcomes. Yet, risk factors are not well understood especially among underserved groups. This cross-sectional study aimed to identify epilepsy-specific predictors of anxiety disorders in predominantly African American and Caribbean American PWE. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The prevalence of anxiety disorders was established via diagnostic interview (Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI)). We identified the extent to which aspects of seizure burden (seizure frequency, seizure severity, convulsive vs. nonconvulsive seizures), seizure worry, and perceived epilepsy stigma were associated with anxiety disorder diagnosis. Finally, logistic regression assessed the overall and independent contributions of significant risk factors. RESULTS: There were 60 participants (62% women, 52% African American, 27% Caribbean American, 20% Hispanic/Latino) with an average of 2 seizures per month. Nearly half of the sample (43%) had ≥1 anxiety disorder, with 62% of affected individuals qualifying for agoraphobia. Those with anxiety disorders tended to have convulsive seizures (p = 0.037) and endorsed greater seizure worry (p = 0.012), more general symptoms of anxiety (p = 0.005), and worse perceived epilepsy stigma (p = 0.003). Logistic regression accounted for 28% to 37.6% of the variance in anxiety disorder diagnostic status and correctly classified 73% of cases; however, only perceived epilepsy stigma made a unique contribution. CONCLUSIONS: Anxiety disorders were prevalent in these predominantly African American and Caribbean American PWE. Epilepsy-specific risk factors included convulsive seizures, seizure worry, and perceived epilepsy stigma. Interventions aimed at treating anxiety disorders in diverse PWE may especially benefit from targeting stigma beliefs.


Subject(s)
Anxiety Disorders/etiology , Black or African American/psychology , Epilepsy/psychology , Social Perception , Social Stigma , Adult , Aged , Anxiety Disorders/diagnosis , Anxiety Disorders/ethnology , Anxiety Disorders/psychology , Caribbean Region , Cross-Sectional Studies , Drug Resistant Epilepsy/ethnology , Drug Resistant Epilepsy/psychology , Epilepsy/ethnology , Female , Humans , Logistic Models , Male , Middle Aged , New York/epidemiology , Prevalence , Risk Factors , Young Adult
3.
Epilepsy Behav ; 78: 7-13, 2018 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29161631

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Perceived epilepsy stigma and reduced social well-being are prevalent sources of distress in people with epilepsy (PWE). Yet, research on patient-level correlates of these difficulties is lacking, especially among underserved groups. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Racially/ethnically diverse adults with intractable seizures (N=60, 62% female; 79% Black, 20% Hispanic/Latino, 8% White) completed validated measures of personality (NEO Five Factor Inventory, NEO-FFI-3), perceived epilepsy stigma (Epilepsy Stigma Scale, ESS), and quality of life (Quality of Life Inventory in Epilepsy, QOLIE-89). Controlling for covariates, ordinary least-squares (OLS) regression evaluated the total, direct, and indirect effects of NEO-FFI-3 neuroticism and extraversion scores on epilepsy-related social well-being (i.e., combination of QOLIE-89 social isolation and work/driving/social function subscales, α=0.87), mediated through perceived stigma. RESULTS: In separate models, higher levels of neuroticism (N) and lower levels of extraversion (E) were significantly and independently associated with greater perceived stigma (N path a=0.71, p=0.005; E path a=-1.10, p<0.005). Stigma, in turn, was significantly and independently associated with poorer social well-being (N path b=0.23, p<0.001; E path b=-0.23, p<0.001). Bias-corrected bootstrap confidence intervals (CIs) showed that neuroticism and extraversion were indirectly associated with social well-being through their respective associations with perceived stigma (N path ab=-0.16, 95% CIs [-0.347, -0.044]; E path ab=0.25, 95% CIs [0.076, 0.493]). CONCLUSION: Higher neuroticism and lower extraversion covaried with stigma beliefs, and these may be markers of poor social outcomes in PWE. Mediation models suggest that targeting epilepsy stigma beliefs may be a particularly useful component to incorporate when developing interventions aimed at promoting social well-being in diverse PWE.


Subject(s)
Epilepsy/psychology , Extraversion, Psychological , Neuroticism , Personality , Quality of Life , Social Adjustment , Social Isolation , Social Stigma , Aged , Epilepsy/epidemiology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Perception , Personality Inventory , Personality Tests
4.
Epilepsy Behav ; 88: 308-314, 2018 11.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30449327

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Suboptimal or partial adherence to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) is an avoidable cause of seizures and deleterious outcomes in epilepsy. As self-rated adherence may be unreliable, suboptimal adherence may go undetected. This study assessed generalizability of a performance-based measure of medication management to patients with intractable epilepsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Participants were 50 adults (age = 42 ±â€¯14 years, 60% female, 82% Black, 20% Hispanic/Latino) with ≥2 seizures in the preceding 6 months. Antiepileptic drug adherence was electronically monitored for one month via Medication Event Monitoring Systems (MEMS) and self-rated (1 = very poor to 6 = excellent). The Medication Management Ability Assessment (MMAA) was administered at follow-up and scored by raters blind to adherence results. Spearman correlations and Poisson regressions assessed their associations. RESULTS: On average, participants self-reported good-to-very good adherence. According to MEMS, participants took AEDs as prescribed 73% of the time; most participants (58%) missed ≥3 doses. The MMAA demonstrated strong internal consistency (Kuder-Richardson 20 = 0.81) and was associated with MEMS: percentage of days doses were taken correctly (rs = 0.29, p = 0.04) and frequency of missed doses (rs = -0.31, p = 0.03). The MMAA was not associated with self-rated adherence. Poisson regressions showed that self-ratings and MMAA performance accounted for unique variance in frequency of missed AED doses. CONCLUSIONS: These findings provide evidence of the MMAA's criterion validity as a measure of capacity to manage AEDs. It may prove useful in cases where suboptimal adherence is suspected but unreported by patients. Its lack of significant association with self-rated adherence is consistent with prior reports; however, future studies should replicate these findings with larger samples.


Subject(s)
Anticonvulsants/therapeutic use , Drug Monitoring/methods , Drug Resistant Epilepsy/drug therapy , Medication Adherence/statistics & numerical data , Seizures/drug therapy , Adult , Black or African American , Aged , Caribbean Region/ethnology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Regression Analysis , Self Report/standards , United States , Young Adult
5.
Epilepsy Behav ; 73: 90-94, 2017 08.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28623755

ABSTRACT

We examined the effects of adjunctive lacosamide (LCM) on mood and quality of life (QOL) in adult patients with partial-onset seizures in a prospective, controlled, single-blind study. Patients in whom LCM was added to their AED regimen for clinical indications comprised the LCM group (n=18), while the control group (n=32) comprised patients on ≥2 AEDs with anticipated stable dosing for the duration of the study. Profile of Mood States (POMS) and QOLIE-89 were used to assess mood and QOL at enrollment and 12-16weeks later. Adherence to LCM was measured electronically with the Medication Event Monitoring System (MEMS) and using a self-report measure. There were no significant between-group differences in age, AED load, side-effects (A-B Neurotoxicity Scale), MoCA mental status, or seizure-related factors. LCM adherence (measured by MEMS) was 70.7%. There was a significant decrease in negative mood states in the LCM group (estimated marginal mean at baseline=49.4, at follow-up=29.7; p=0.02), after controlling for seizure freedom. Based on previously reported benchmarks, clinically significant change on the POMS occurred in 7 (38%) LCM patients. The effect of LCM on the overall QOL was not significant (p=0.078). Correlation between POMS Total Mood Distress and Emotional-Wellbeing on the QOLIE-89 was significant (r=-0.783; p=0.01). These results suggest that LCM may have a favorable impact on mood.


Subject(s)
Acetamides/pharmacology , Affect/drug effects , Anticonvulsants/pharmacology , Epilepsy/drug therapy , Medication Adherence , Quality of Life , Acetamides/administration & dosage , Acetamides/adverse effects , Adult , Anticonvulsants/administration & dosage , Anticonvulsants/adverse effects , Female , Humans , Lacosamide , Male , Middle Aged , Prospective Studies , Single-Blind Method , Treatment Outcome
6.
Epilepsy Behav ; 62: 53-6, 2016 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27450305

ABSTRACT

We sought to determine the prevalence of interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) in healthy 11- and 12-year-old children. Sixth grade students with no history of seizure, or neurologic or psychiatric disease, were enrolled in a longitudinal physical activity intervention study. Per study protocol, each student had two EEG recordings approximately 6months apart. Epileptiform discharges were present in 4 (2.9%) of 140 students: centrotemporal in three and generalized in one. In three children, the discharges were still present six months later. None of the children had developed seizures a minimum of one year after the second EEG. These results are consistent with those of two landmark European studies performed nearly a half century ago, before the modern era of digital EEG. Healthy 11- and 12-year-old children with no history of seizure may have centrotemporal or generalized epileptiform discharges on EEG, which can persist for at least 6months. Based on both our results and those of the two prior European studies, such discharges, if found incidentally in otherwise healthy children in this age group, should not prompt further evaluation or treatment.


Subject(s)
Brain/physiopathology , Electroencephalography , Epilepsy/physiopathology , Child , Female , Humans , Male
7.
J Neurophysiol ; 114(5): 2588-99, 2015 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26311189

ABSTRACT

Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) was used to measure activity in human somatosensory cortex and to test for cross-digit suppression. Subjects received stimulation (vibration of varying amplitudes) to the right thumb (target) with or without concurrent stimulation of the right middle finger (mask). Subjects were less sensitive to target stimulation (psychophysical detection thresholds were higher) when target and mask digits were stimulated concurrently compared with when the target was stimulated in isolation. fMRI voxels in a region of the left postcentral gyrus each responded when either digit was stimulated. A regression model (called a forward model) was used to separate the fMRI measurements from these voxels into two hypothetical channels, each of which responded selectively to only one of the two digits. For the channel tuned to the target digit, responses in the left postcentral gyrus increased with target stimulus amplitude but were suppressed by concurrent stimulation to the mask digit, evident as a shift in the gain of the response functions. For the channel tuned to the mask digit, a constant baseline response was evoked for all target amplitudes when the mask was absent and responses decreased with increasing target amplitude when the mask was concurrently presented. A computational model based on divisive normalization provided a good fit to the measurements for both mask-absent and target + mask stimulation. We conclude that the normalization model can explain cross-digit suppression in human somatosensory cortex, supporting the hypothesis that normalization is a canonical neural computation.


Subject(s)
Models, Neurological , Sensory Thresholds/physiology , Somatosensory Cortex/physiology , Touch Perception/physiology , Adult , Brain Mapping , Electric Stimulation , Fingers/physiology , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Physical Stimulation , Psychophysics , Young Adult
8.
Epilepsy Behav ; 34: 81-5, 2014 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24727466

ABSTRACT

Measuring the diagnostic accuracy (DA) of an EEG device is unconventional and complicated by imperfect interrater reliability. We sought to compare the DA of a miniature, wireless, battery-powered EEG device ("microEEG") to a reference EEG machine in emergency department (ED) patients with altered mental status (AMS). Two hundred twenty-five ED patients with AMS underwent 3 EEGs. Two EEGs, EEG1 (Nicolet Monitor, "reference") and EEG2 (microEEG) were recorded simultaneously with EEG cup electrodes using a signal splitter. The remaining study, EEG3, was recorded with microEEG using an electrode cap immediately before or after EEG1/EEG2. The official EEG1 interpretation was considered the gold standard (EEG1-GS). EEG1, 2, and 3 were de-identified and blindly interpreted by two independent readers. A generalized mixed linear model was used to estimate the sensitivity and specificity of these interpretations relative to EEG1-GS and to compute a diagnostic odds ratio (DOR). Seventy-nine percent of EEG1-GS were abnormal. Neither the DOR nor the κf representing interrater reliabilities differed significantly between EEG1, EEG2, and EEG3. The mean setup time was 27 min for EEG1/EEG2 and 12 min for EEG3. The mean electrode impedance of EEG3 recordings was 12.6 kΩ (SD: 31.9 kΩ). The diagnostic accuracy of microEEG was comparable to that of the reference system and was not reduced when the EEG electrodes had high and unbalanced impedances. A common practice with many scientific instruments, measurement of EEG device DA provides an independent and quantitative assessment of device performance.


Subject(s)
Electroencephalography/instrumentation , Seizures/diagnosis , Female , Humans , Male , Prospective Studies , Reproducibility of Results , Sensitivity and Specificity
9.
Epilepsy Behav ; 32: 102-7, 2014 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24531133

ABSTRACT

The intrarater and interrater reliability (I&IR) of EEG interpretation has significant implications for the value of EEG as a diagnostic tool. We measured both the intrarater reliability and the interrater reliability of EEG interpretation based on the interpretation of complete EEGs into standard diagnostic categories and rater confidence in their interpretations and investigated sources of variance in EEG interpretations. During two distinct time intervals, six board-certified clinical neurophysiologists classified 300 EEGs into one or more of seven diagnostic categories and assigned a subjective confidence to their interpretations. Each EEG was read by three readers. Each reader interpreted 150 unique studies, and 50 studies were re-interpreted to generate intrarater data. A generalizability study assessed the contribution of subjects, readers, and the interaction between subjects and readers to interpretation variance. Five of the six readers had a median confidence of ≥99%, and the upper quartile of confidence values was 100% for all six readers. Intrarater Cohen's kappa (κc) ranged from 0.33 to 0.73 with an aggregated value of 0.59. Cohen's kappa ranged from 0.29 to 0.62 for the 15 reader pairs, with an aggregated Fleiss kappa of 0.44 for interrater agreement. Cohen's kappa was not significantly different across rater pairs (chi-square=17.3, df=14, p=0.24). Variance due to subjects (i.e., EEGs) was 65.3%, due to readers was 3.9%, and due to the interaction between readers and subjects was 30.8%. Experienced epileptologists have very high confidence in their EEG interpretations and low to moderate I&IR, a common paradox in clinical medicine. A necessary, but insufficient, condition to improve EEG interpretation accuracy is to increase intrarater and interrater reliability. This goal could be accomplished, for instance, with an automated online application integrated into a continuing medical education module that measures and reports EEG I&IR to individual users.


Subject(s)
Electroencephalography/methods , Observer Variation , Seizures/diagnosis , Adult , Humans , Male , Reproducibility of Results , Seizures/etiology
10.
Epilepsy Behav ; 27(2): 283-5, 2013 May.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23507303

ABSTRACT

We examined factors associated with quality of life (QOL) among predominantly ethnic minority, low-income patients with epilepsy (PWE). Ninety-four PWE ≥14years old completed standardized questionnaires, including the QOLIE-31. The patients were born in 17 countries, and most of them identified culturally with the United States (44%), the Caribbean (35%), or Latin America (9%). Fifty-three percent of patients received no income other than public assistance. The mean QOLIE-31 score for all subjects was 57.6 (SD: 15.1). A step-wise regression analysis revealed that of 11 possible predictor variables, only perceived epilepsy stigma, seizure frequency, and gender were significantly associated with the QOLIE-31 score and respectively accounted for 16%, 9%, and 5% of its variance. These results suggest that perceived epilepsy stigma is at least as important as seizure freedom in determining quality of life, at least in some populations of PWE. Epilepsy health care providers should take every opportunity to help patients overcome and reduce perceived stigma.


Subject(s)
Epilepsy/epidemiology , Epilepsy/psychology , Quality of Life , Adult , Epilepsy/ethnology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Minority Groups , Regression Analysis , Surveys and Questionnaires , Urban Population , Young Adult
11.
Am J Emerg Med ; 31(11): 1578-82, 2013 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24070982

ABSTRACT

UNLABELLED: Four to ten percent of patients evaluated in emergency departments (ED) present with altered mental status (AMS). The prevalence of non-convulsive seizure (NCS) and other electroencephalographic (EEG) abnormalities in this population is unknown. OBJECTIVES: To identify the prevalence of NCS and other EEG abnormalities in ED patients with AMS. METHODS: A prospective observational study at 2 urban ED. Inclusion: patients ≥13 years old with AMS. Exclusion: An easily correctable cause of AMS (e.g. hypoglycemia). A 30-minute standard 21-electrode EEG was performed on each subject upon presentation. OUTCOME: prevalence of EEG abnormalities interpreted by a board-certified epileptologist. EEGs were later reviewed by 2 blinded epileptologists. Inter-rater agreement (IRA) of the blinded EEG interpretations is summarized with κ. A multiple logistic regression model was constructed to identify variables that could predict the outcome. RESULTS: Two hundred fifty-nine patients were enrolled (median age: 60, 54% female). Overall, 202/259 of EEGs were interpreted as abnormal (78%, 95% confidence interval [CI], 73-83%). The most common abnormality was background slowing (58%, 95% CI, 52-68%) indicating underlying encephalopathy. NCS (including non-convulsive status epilepticus [NCSE]) was detected in 5% (95% CI, 3-8%) of patients. The regression analysis predicting EEG abnormality showed a highly significant effect of age (P < .001, adjusted odds ratio 1.66 [95% CI, 1.36-2.02] per 10-year age increment). IRA for EEG interpretations was modest (κ: 0.45, 95% CI, 0.36-0.54). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of EEG abnormalities in ED patients with undifferentiated AMS is significant. ED physicians should consider EEG in the evaluation of patients with AMS and a high suspicion of NCS/NCSE.


Subject(s)
Consciousness Disorders/epidemiology , Electroencephalography , Emergency Service, Hospital/statistics & numerical data , Seizures/epidemiology , Age Factors , Aged , Brain/physiopathology , Consciousness Disorders/physiopathology , Electroencephalography/statistics & numerical data , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Prevalence , Prospective Studies , Seizures/physiopathology
12.
Catheter Cardiovasc Interv ; 79(6): 921-6, 2012 May 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21542122

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Pharmacokinetic data suggests that the intravenous form of n-acetylcysteine (NAC) may be more effective than the oral formulation in preventing contrast induced nephropathy (CIN). NAC owing to its anti-oxidant properties might be beneficial for patients with acute coronary syndromes (ACS) who are at increased risk for CIN. The aim of this prospective randomized, single-center, double-blind, placebo controlled trial (NCT00939913) was to assess the effect of high-dose intravenous NAC on CIN in ACS patients undergoing coronary angiography and/or percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). METHODS: We randomized 398 ACS patients scheduled for diagnostic angiography ± PCI to an intravenous regimen of high-dose NAC (1,200 mg bolus followed by 200 mg/hr for 24 hr; n = 206) or placebo (n = 192). The primary end-point was incidence of CIN defined as an increase in serum creatinine concentration ≥ 25% above the baseline level within 72 hr of the administration of intravenous contrast. RESULTS: There was no difference found for the primary end point with CIN in 16% of the NAC group and in 13% of the placebo group (p = 0.40). Change in serum cystatin-C, a sensitive marker for renal function, was 0.046 ± 0.204 in the NAC group and 0.002 ± 0.260 in the control group (p = 0.07). CONCLUSION: In ACS patients undergoing angiography ± PCI, high-dose intravenous NAC failed to reduce the incidence of CIN.


Subject(s)
Acetylcysteine/administration & dosage , Acute Coronary Syndrome/diagnostic imaging , Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary , Antioxidants/administration & dosage , Contrast Media/adverse effects , Coronary Angiography/adverse effects , Kidney Diseases/prevention & control , Acute Coronary Syndrome/therapy , Aged , Biomarkers/blood , Chi-Square Distribution , Creatinine/blood , Cystatin C/blood , Double-Blind Method , Female , Humans , Infusions, Intravenous , Kidney Diseases/blood , Kidney Diseases/chemically induced , Kidney Diseases/diagnosis , Male , Middle Aged , New Orleans , Placebos , Prospective Studies , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Time Factors , Treatment Outcome
13.
Epilepsy Behav ; 24(2): 279-82, 2012 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22542999

ABSTRACT

Successful epilepsy surgery requires unambiguous identification of the epileptogenic zone. This determination may be a challenge when the pre-surgical evaluation yields conflicting data. We evaluated an adult patient with a right insular mass, but a seizure semiology, interictal EEG, and ictal EEG, suggesting left temporal lobe epilepsy. Resection of the mass, a ganglioglioma, resulted in seizure freedom and disappearance of interictal left temporal lobe epileptiform discharges. This case illustrates the principle that in localization-related epilepsy, the money is usually in the mass.


Subject(s)
Epilepsy/surgery , Neurosurgical Procedures/methods , Adult , Anticonvulsants/therapeutic use , Brain/pathology , Brain Neoplasms/complications , Brain Neoplasms/pathology , Brain Neoplasms/surgery , Cerebral Cortex/pathology , Electroencephalography , Epilepsy/etiology , Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe/etiology , Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe/pathology , Ganglioglioma/complications , Ganglioglioma/pathology , Ganglioglioma/surgery , Humans , Magnetic Resonance Imaging , Male , Seizures/etiology , Seizures/surgery
14.
Clin Neuropsychol ; 36(2): 462-478, 2022 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34027793

ABSTRACT

Objective: Depression is the most common psychiatric comorbidity among people with epilepsy (PWE) and tends to be more prevalent among people of color (POC) and those with intractable seizures. However, the extent to which illness-related perceptions are associated with depressive symptom severity among POC with intractable seizures is unclear. Method: This cross-sectional study examined relationships among illness representations and self-rated depressive symptoms in 55 PWE (M Age = 41; 61.8% female) with intractable seizures (M seizures per month = 2) who identified as Black/African-American (52.7%), Black/Caribbean-American (27.3%), and/or Hispanic/Latino (21.8%). Epilepsy-related illness perceptions were assessed with the Illness Perception Questionnaire-Revised and depression was measured via the Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (NDDI-E). Results: Nearly half of the sample (41.8%) scored above the NDDI-E depression cut-off. PWE endorsing more severe depressive symptoms indicated that their epilepsy had more negative consequences, was hard to comprehend, was insufficiently controlled by treatment, and had a negative emotional impact (p's ≤ 0.02). Controlling for sex, these four illness representations accounted for 48% of the variance in depression severity. Interestingly, participants with probable major depressive episodes were more likely to endorse several psychological causes of seizures compared to non-depressed PWE. Conclusions: Worse depression symptom severity was associated with negative illness perceptions and a tendency to attribute one's epilepsy to psychological causes. Future research is needed to understand how the relationship between negative illness perceptions and depression symptoms unfold over time and whether interventions aimed at modifying illness representations reduce psychological distress in diverse PWE.


Subject(s)
Depressive Disorder, Major , Epilepsy , Adult , Black or African American , Caribbean Region , Cross-Sectional Studies , Depression/diagnosis , Depressive Disorder, Major/diagnosis , Epilepsy/psychology , Female , Humans , Male , Neuropsychological Tests , Seizures/complications
15.
Epilepsy Behav ; 22(2): 139-43, 2011 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21784709

ABSTRACT

Definitive diagnosis of nonconvulsive seizures (NCS) can be made only by electroencephalography, and delay in diagnosis can increase morbidity, resource utilization, and length of hospitalization. We performed an evidence-based literature review to estimate the prevalence of NCS in patients with altered mental status (AMS) of unknown cause. PUBMED, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, and other resources were searched for studies that included AMS and seizure as topics. The resulting 276 articles were screened for predetermined inclusion and exclusion criteria, leaving 5 studies enrolling 478 patients for review. The prevalence of NCS in patients with AMS ranged from 8 to 30% (overall prevalence of 21.5%, 95% CI: 18-25%), suggesting that the prevalence of NCS is sufficiently high to consider routine use of urgent electroencephalography in such patients. However, methodological weaknesses limit the generalizability of the results. A large, prospective study enrolling and screening for NCS in all patients who present with acute AMS is needed.


Subject(s)
Evidence-Based Medicine , Mental Disorders/etiology , Seizures/complications , Databases, Factual/statistics & numerical data , Humans
16.
Epilepsy Behav ; 22(3): 584-6, 2011 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-21907627

ABSTRACT

The current study examined beliefs about medication and their association with adherence to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) among predominantly ethnic minority, low-income patients with epilepsy (PWE). Seventy-two PWE completed standardized questionnaires. The Beliefs about Medicines Questionnaire was used to assess perceptions about AEDs and medications in general. Adherence was measured with the Morisky 4-item scale and via participant self-rating. On the Morisky scale, 63% of patients endorsed at least one item for nonadherence; forgetfulness was most often endorsed (50%). There was a significant relationship between seizure frequency and adherence (Morisky: r=0.33, P=0.006; self-rating: r=-0.35, P=0.003). Patients with lower self-rated adherence expressed greater concerns about AEDs (r=-0.25, P=0.036) and beliefs that medications, in general, may be intrinsically harmful (r=-0.26, P=0.032) and minimally beneficial (r=0.36; P<0.002), as compared with more adherent patients. These findings inform future educational interventions in this population of PWE.


Subject(s)
Anticonvulsants/therapeutic use , Culture , Epilepsy , Medication Adherence/ethnology , Medication Adherence/psychology , Minority Groups/psychology , Adult , Epilepsy/drug therapy , Epilepsy/ethnology , Epilepsy/psychology , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Minority Groups/statistics & numerical data , Self Report , Surveys and Questionnaires
17.
Catheter Cardiovasc Interv ; 75(5): 651-5, 2010 Apr 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20088017

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Carotid artery stenting (CAS) has emerged as an alternative to carotid endarterectomy (CEA) in patients at high risk for complications from surgery. The very elderly (>or=80-year-old) are one subgroup of patients identified as being at increased risk for carotid surgery. However, there is concern that the very elderly are also at increased risk for complications of CAS. A stroke and death rate of 12% was reported in very elderly patients during the roll-in phase of Carotid Revascularization Endarterectomy versus Stent Trial (CREST). We are reporting on a large clinical series of CAS with independent neurological assessment in the very elderly. METHODS: Between 1994 and 2008, a consecutive series of 418 CAS patients (>or=80-year-old) were treated at four high-volume centers with extensive CAS experience. Independent neurologic assessment was performed after CAS procedures. Thirty-day follow-up information was available in 389 patients. RESULTS: The average age was 83.2 +/- 2.8 years. Most patients were male (63.2%), and the target lesion carotid stenosis was asymptomatic in two-thirds (68.2%) of patients. The majority of patients treated with CAS had a history of coronary artery disease (74.4%), hypertension (87.8%), and dyslipidemia (71.1%). One third (30.1%) were diabetic and more than half (56.5%) were current or former smokers. Embolic protection devices (EPD) were used in 78.7% of cases with the CAS procedure being performed before EPD availability being the most common reason for not using them. The overall 30-day incidence of stroke and death was 2.8% (11/389). The cumulative incidence of major cardiovascular events (stroke, death, or myocardial infarction) during that time period was 3.3% (13/389). CONCLUSIONS: This large series of CAS with independent neurologic assessment is convincing evidence that the very elderly (>or=80 years) can safely undergo CAS with stroke and death rates comparable to younger patients. The key to obtaining these excellent results is that CAS be performed by high volume, experienced operators who exercise restraint regarding patient selection.


Subject(s)
Angioplasty/instrumentation , Carotid Stenosis/therapy , Stents , Age Factors , Aged, 80 and over , Angioplasty/adverse effects , Angioplasty/mortality , Carotid Stenosis/mortality , Clinical Competence , Endarterectomy, Carotid/adverse effects , Female , Hospital Mortality , Humans , Male , Myocardial Infarction/etiology , Neurologic Examination , Patient Selection , Retrospective Studies , Risk Assessment , Risk Factors , Stroke/etiology , Time Factors , Treatment Outcome , United States/epidemiology
18.
Vasc Med ; 15(6): 439-41, 2010 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-20965958

ABSTRACT

In critical limb ischemia (CLI), an underlying principle of treatment is that it takes more oxygenated blood to heal a wound than to maintain tissue integrity. Urgent restoration of perfusion to the ischemic territory, not long-term patency of the target vessel, is the primary treatment goal. However, in patients with CLI treated by surgical bypass, loss of graft patency is associated with poor outcomes. We decided to address the conventional wisdom that restenosis is not a major concern in CLI as long as tissue healing occurs in patients undergoing endovascular revascularization. We retrospectively reviewed the records of consecutive patients treated for CLI with infra-popliteal percutaneous revascularization from 2007 to 2009. Those with prior ipsilateral percutaneous revascularization for CLI formed the study population. Among 29 CLI patients treated for infra-popliteal revascularization, six patients had a history of prior successful ipsilateral revascularization for CLI. All six patients were free of rest pain and ulcers at the 60-day follow-up. The median time interval between the two percutaneous revascularization procedures was 21 months (quartile ranges: 25th = 4.5 months, 75th = 36 months). Five of the six patients had restenosis of a previous lesion, while the sixth patient had a de novo lesion causing recurrent CLI. In conclusion, we found that one in five patients receiving infra-popliteal angioplasty for CLI has had a similar percutaneous revascularization procedure in the past. Among these patients most cases were for restenosis rather than de novo lesions. Further research is needed to determine whether the incidence of recurrent CLI is due to de novo lesions or restenosis. Close clinical follow-up of these patients and maintaining long-term patency with endovascular techniques will likely reduce CLI recurrence.


Subject(s)
Angioplasty , Ischemia/therapy , Leg Ulcer/therapy , Lower Extremity/blood supply , Vascular Patency , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Angioplasty/adverse effects , Constriction, Pathologic , Critical Illness , Humans , Ischemia/diagnostic imaging , Ischemia/physiopathology , Leg Ulcer/diagnostic imaging , Leg Ulcer/physiopathology , Louisiana , Radiography , Recurrence , Retrospective Studies , Time Factors , Treatment Outcome , Wound Healing
19.
Epilepsy Behav ; 17(1): 46-9, 2010 Jan.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-19910261

ABSTRACT

We assessed beliefs about epilepsy and brain surgery and the use of alternative epilepsy treatments in a culturally diverse population of people with epilepsy (PWE). Data were obtained from a structured questionnaire administered to 109 PWE treated at a single epilepsy center. Patients were born in 17 countries on five continents. Most patients identified culturally with the Caribbean (41%), United States (39%), or Latin America (9%). Sixty-nine percent of patients endorsed at least one of five stigma-related questions, and 77% used at least one alternative epilepsy treatment. Brain surgery was rated as having a mean dangerousness of 8.3 (on a scale of 1 to 10) among the 94 patients with no history of neurosurgery. In addition, 51% of these patients would not consider surgical treatment even if it were guaranteed to stop their seizures without causing deficits. Educational efforts aimed at reducing both the stigma associated with epilepsy and the fear of resective epilepsy surgery are needed.


Subject(s)
Brain/surgery , Cross-Cultural Comparison , Culture , Epilepsy/psychology , Adult , Aged , Epilepsy/etiology , Epilepsy/surgery , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neurosurgical Procedures/adverse effects , Risk , Surveys and Questionnaires , Urban Population
SELECTION OF CITATIONS
SEARCH DETAIL