Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy
Encyclopedia
Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy, or SUDEP is a term used when a person with epilepsy
suddenly dies, and the reason for the death results from unexplained respiratory failure
or cardiac arrest
after seizures. SUDEP is sometimes referred to as "Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy", as the cause of SUDEP is unknown. Post mortem examination usually reveals no abnormalities in victims. Of those who die from SUDEP, it is most common in people who have generalised tonic-clonic seizures, especially in young adults age 20-50. The average age of those dying from SUDEP is estimated to be between 28–35 years, and SUDEP very rarely occurs in children. The most important 'risk factors' seem to be poor seizure control and seizures occurring during sleep.
Research has estimated that approximately 50,000 people die each year in the USA from status epilepticus
(prolonged seizures), SUDEP, and other seizure-related causes. SUDEP accounts for 8-17% of deaths in people with epilepsy. Roughly 1 in 100 sufferers of severe epilepsy die of SUDEP every year. For sufferers of mild idiopathic epilepsy (epilepsy of unknown cause), the figure drops to 1 in 1,000 per year.
The non-profit organization Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE) has led efforts in granting research to prevent and find the cause of SUDEP.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy is a common chronic neurological disorder characterized by seizures. These seizures are transient signs and/or symptoms of abnormal, excessive or hypersynchronous neuronal activity in the brain.About 50 million people worldwide have epilepsy, and nearly two out of every three new cases...
suddenly dies, and the reason for the death results from unexplained respiratory failure
Respiratory failure
The term respiratory failure, in medicine, is used to describe inadequate gas exchange by the respiratory system, with the result that arterial oxygen and/or carbon dioxide levels cannot be maintained within their normal ranges. A drop in blood oxygenation is known as hypoxemia; a rise in arterial...
or cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest
Cardiac arrest, is the cessation of normal circulation of the blood due to failure of the heart to contract effectively...
after seizures. SUDEP is sometimes referred to as "Sudden Unexplained Death in Epilepsy", as the cause of SUDEP is unknown. Post mortem examination usually reveals no abnormalities in victims. Of those who die from SUDEP, it is most common in people who have generalised tonic-clonic seizures, especially in young adults age 20-50. The average age of those dying from SUDEP is estimated to be between 28–35 years, and SUDEP very rarely occurs in children. The most important 'risk factors' seem to be poor seizure control and seizures occurring during sleep.
Research has estimated that approximately 50,000 people die each year in the USA from status epilepticus
Status epilepticus
Status epilepticus is a life-threatening condition in which the brain is in a state of persistent seizure. Definitions vary, but traditionally it is defined as one continuous unremitting seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes, or recurrent seizures without regaining consciousness between seizures...
(prolonged seizures), SUDEP, and other seizure-related causes. SUDEP accounts for 8-17% of deaths in people with epilepsy. Roughly 1 in 100 sufferers of severe epilepsy die of SUDEP every year. For sufferers of mild idiopathic epilepsy (epilepsy of unknown cause), the figure drops to 1 in 1,000 per year.
The non-profit organization Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE) has led efforts in granting research to prevent and find the cause of SUDEP.
External links
- SUDEP described at patient.co.uk
- Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy: epilepsy facts
- Defining SUDEP at epilepsy.com
- Unmasking Silent Killer in Epilepsy, New York Times, 26 July 2010.
- About SUDEP, at EpilepsyFoundation.org
- www.SUDEP.org SUDEP support at Epilepsy Bereaved UK