Abstracts

Status Epilepticus (SE) is a serious medical condition associated with high mortality. This study examines patients who have multiple episodes of SE during a hospital admission and those who have a single SE episode. Data was obtained from the NIH Greater Richmond Metropolitan Area Status Epilepticus data system; prospectively collected data on SE cases in Richmond, Virginia. Cases were divided into 2 groups: those who experienced multiple SE episodes during the hospital admission (recurrence group) and those who experienced a single SE episode (single group). Variables examined included age, race, gender, etiology, SE type, mortality, and patient location at initial SE onset. A total of 1099 cases were available for analysis. Of these, 4% (n=47) had one or more recurrent SE episodes during the admission (recurrence group). There were no statistically significant differences in age, race, gender, etiology, SE type, and patient location at SE onset when comparing the recurrence group with the single group. Of the 47 cases in the recurrence group, 36 (76%) had 1 recurrent SE episode during the admission, 7 (15%) had 2 recurrences, 2 (4%) had 3 recurrences, 1 (2%) had 6 recurrences and 1 (2%) had 7 recurrences during the admission. Mortality in cases with a single episode of SE was 23%, and mortality in the recurrence group was 34%. This study demonstrated that recurrent SE episodes occur within a hospitalization in 4% of SE admissions. There appears to be a trend toward higher mortality among the recurrence group. This is an interesting and potentially important observation for clinicians who need to discuss the prognosis of SE patients. (Supported by NIH P50 NS25630.)