Diagnosis of Epilepsy with Myoclonic-Atonic Seizures Often Changes

Pediatric patients who have been initially diagnosed with epilepsy with myoclonic-atonic seizures (EMAS) are likely to be switched to another diagnosis over time, according to a retrospective chart analysis of 77 children at Children’s Hospital of Colorado.

• Over 50% of patients in this study were switched from suspected EMAS to another epilepsy diagnosis.
• Among the 77 patients, 30 had an initial diagnosis of EMAS and 57 had a final diagnosis of EMAS.
• Among 65% of patients who had more than one diagnosis over time, the first, second, and third diagnoses were provided within 1 year, 3 years, and 10 years after the onset of the disease.
• Signs of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), including paroxysmal fast activity, slow spike-and-wave, and tonic seizure, were detected in 50% of the 77 patients but only a minority received a final diagnosis of LGS.

Eschbach K., Moss A, Joshi C, et al. Diagnosis switching and outcomes in a cohort of patients with potential epilepsy with myoclonic-atonic seizures. Epilepsy Res. 2018; 147:95-101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2018.09.011

Pediatric patients who have been initially diagnosed with epilepsy with myoclonic-atonic seizures (EMAS) are likely to be switched to another diagnosis over time, according to a retrospective chart analysis of 77 children at Children’s Hospital of Colorado.

• Over 50% of patients in this study were switched from suspected EMAS to another epilepsy diagnosis.
• Among the 77 patients, 30 had an initial diagnosis of EMAS and 57 had a final diagnosis of EMAS.
• Among 65% of patients who had more than one diagnosis over time, the first, second, and third diagnoses were provided within 1 year, 3 years, and 10 years after the onset of the disease.
• Signs of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), including paroxysmal fast activity, slow spike-and-wave, and tonic seizure, were detected in 50% of the 77 patients but only a minority received a final diagnosis of LGS.

Eschbach K., Moss A, Joshi C, et al. Diagnosis switching and outcomes in a cohort of patients with potential epilepsy with myoclonic-atonic seizures. Epilepsy Res. 2018; 147:95-101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2018.09.011

Pediatric patients who have been initially diagnosed with epilepsy with myoclonic-atonic seizures (EMAS) are likely to be switched to another diagnosis over time, according to a retrospective chart analysis of 77 children at Children’s Hospital of Colorado.

• Over 50% of patients in this study were switched from suspected EMAS to another epilepsy diagnosis.
• Among the 77 patients, 30 had an initial diagnosis of EMAS and 57 had a final diagnosis of EMAS.
• Among 65% of patients who had more than one diagnosis over time, the first, second, and third diagnoses were provided within 1 year, 3 years, and 10 years after the onset of the disease.
• Signs of Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), including paroxysmal fast activity, slow spike-and-wave, and tonic seizure, were detected in 50% of the 77 patients but only a minority received a final diagnosis of LGS.

Eschbach K., Moss A, Joshi C, et al. Diagnosis switching and outcomes in a cohort of patients with potential epilepsy with myoclonic-atonic seizures. Epilepsy Res. 2018; 147:95-101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2018.09.011