Predictors of Outcome in Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy

Abstract

Background

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is the most common idiopathic generalized epilepsy syndrome, accounting for 10% of all epilepsy. However, there is limited information regarding the predictors of seizure outcome. The aim of this study was to determine the predictors of seizure outcome in JME patients.

Methods

A population-based retrospective study of JME patients who were treated at the Department of Neurology of affiliated Zhongshan Hospital, Xiamen University from 2008 to 2013.

Results

Sixty-three patients (30 women and 33 men) were enrolled in this study. The median age at seizure onset was 14 years old, and the average duration of epilepsy was 5 years. The onset of JME at age <16 years was found in 63.5% of patients. The epileptiform runs ≥3 s were observed in 35.8% patients. Febrile seizure was noted in 28.9% of patients. Among 63 patients, 40 patients (63.5%) had remission. Multivariate analysis identified the following factors as significant predictors of seizure outcome: the onset of JME at age <16 years, epileptiform runs ≥3 s runs, and febrile seizure.

Conclusion

The onset of JME at age <16 years, febrile seizures and epileptiform runs ≥3 s might be associated with poor long-term seizure outcome in patients with JME.

Keywords:

• juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
• seizure
• predictor
• outcome

Acknowledgments

This study was funded by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation (No. 81400984) and the Natural Science Foundation of Fujian Province (No. 2014D009).

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.