Lancet neurology
-
Comparative Study
Mortality in adults with newly diagnosed and chronic epilepsy: a retrospective comparative study.
People with epilepsy are at increased risk of premature death compared with the general population. Many clinicians are unsure whether and when this issue should be broached with their patients. We analysed mortality in patients with newly diagnosed and chronic epilepsy over a 20-year period. ⋯ Mortality risks and preventive strategies should be discussed with patients with epilepsy when treatment fails or is refused despite recurrent seizures.