Seizure Clusters: Morbidity and Mortality

Abstract

Seizure clusters, an intermediate between single seizure and status epilepticus, are associated with morbidity, impaired quality of life, and premature mortality. The relationship between seizure clusters and sudden unexplained death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is poorly understood. Here, we define seizure clusters; review comorbid psychiatric disorders and memory deficits associated with seizure clusters; and review cases of witnessed SUDEP for which seizure frequency prior to death is available. Patients with a history of seizure clusters have a 2.5 fold increased risk for SUDEP, and one third of patients with monitored in hospital SUDEP experienced a cluster of generalized tonic clonic seizures prior to death. Understanding the effects of seizure frequency and duration on SUDEP risk could yield new insights in SUDEP pathophysiology and new targets for intervention.

Keywords: SUDEP (sudden unexplained death in epilepsy); morbidity; mortality; seizure; seizure cluster.