Aetiology

The incidence of SE varies by age, with the highest risk seen in infants and individuals over 50 years old. [8]

In children, the most common aetiologies are infective. In adults, the most common aetiology is cerebrovascular disease.

The underlying aetiology of SE can be divided into three groups:

1.Chronic epilepsy

In one-third of patients, there will be an underlying background of chronic epilepsy.

In patients with a pre-existing history of epilepsy, SE most commonly results from:

  • Drug non-compliance
  • Drug withdrawal
  • Drug therapy alteration

However, it may also occur in the presence of:

  • Intercurrent illness
  • Metabolic abnormalities
  • Co-ingestion of drugs that lower the seizure threshold [5]

2. Future epilepsy onset

In one-third of patients, the episode will represent the onset of future epilepsy.

3. No prior or future history

In one-third of patients, the episode occurs with no prior or future history of epilepsy.

In the absence of an established diagnosis of epilepsy, SE may result from:

  • Drug withdrawal syndromes (alcohol, barbiturates, benzodiazepines)
  • Acute structural brain injury (e.g. stroke, subarachnoid haemorrhage, trauma and cerebral hypoxia)
  • CNS infection (meningitis, encephalitis and abscess)

These may also be the causes of SE in a patient without epilepsy and should always be borne in mind when assessing patients.

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