Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNES) may be distinguished from other seizure disorders with the help of a patient’s medical history and medication history according to a data analysis involving more than 1300 patients with confirmed diagnoses.
- 1365 adult patient case reports were reviewed, all of which involved video-electroencephalography confirmed diagnoses that were performed at one medical center.
- Co-existing disorders that can help separate PNES from epilepsy included asthma, chronic pain, and migraines.
- Comorbidities associated with epileptic seizures included diabetes and nonmetastatic neoplasm.
- Overall, the number of co-existing conditions and medications rather than any specific condition was more predictive.
- The analysis was also able to differentiate PNES from epileptic seizures with a prospective accuracy of 78%.
Kerr WT, Janio EA, Braesch CT, et al. Identifying psychogenic seizures through comorbidities and medication history. Epilepsia. 2017;58(11):1852-1860.
