Welcome to the WCN 2021 Interactive Program
The congress will officially run on Central European Time (CET) - Rome Time
To convert the congress times to your local time Click Here
Please note that all sessions will run at their scheduled time and be followed by a LIVE Q&A/Discussion at the end
The viewing of sessions, cannot be accessed from this conference calendar. All sessions are accessible via the Virtual Platform
- Antonio Gambardella (Italy)
ADHERENCE SAVES LIVE
- Helen Cross (United Kingdom)
Abstract
Abstract Body
Among people with epilepsy, there is a 20-fold higher risk of dying suddenly and unexpectedly compared with the general population. Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is defined as the sudden, unexpected, witnessed or unwitnessed, non-traumatic, and non-drowning death of patients with epilepsy with or without evidence of a seizure, excluding documented status epilepticus, and in whom post-mortem examination does not reveal a structural or toxicological cause for death. SUDEP is at its highest prevalence amongst young adults and is the leading cause of death related directly to seizures. Ongoing generalized tonic-clonic seizures, particularly when occurring from sleep, are one of the most important risk factors, and effective seizure protection is probably the most important measure that can be undertaken in prevention. Up to 70% of individuals with epilepsy may be controlled with appropriate utilisation of anti seizure medication (ASM); this said adherence is required in order for this to be achieved. Case controlled studies of SUDEP have shown that nonadherence mentioned in the record is associated with higher risk of SUDEP. Nonadherence has also been demonstrated to be related to a higher risk of premature mortality in resource poor settings. When postmortem ASM concentrations are assessed in SUDEP they are usually low or absent. Young adulthood is a time when life style changes occur, and the requirement for adherence may not be seen to be important. Counselling and advice should include the importance of regular ASM administration.
CHOICE OF FIRST TREATMENT: DOES IT MATTER IN THE LONG RUN?
- Anthony Marson (United Kingdom)
IDENTIFICATION OF CO-MORBIDITIES IN PEOPLE WITH EPILEPSY
- Ley Sander (United Kingdom)
Abstract
Abstract Body
There is a high burden of comorbidity in people with epilepsy. Several diseases, including depression, anxiety, dementia, migraine, heart disease, peptic ulcers, and arthritis are up to eight times more common in those with epilepsy than in the population at large. The risk of premature mortality is an important part of the burden imposed on people with epilepsy and this is directly related to the presence of comorbid conditions. Several mechanisms are responsible for the association of epilepsy and comorbidities including shared risk factors and bidirectional relations. There is a pressing need for new and validated screening instruments and guidelines to help with the early detection and treatment of comorbid conditions. There is evidence that some conditions, such as depression and migraine, negatively affect outcome and quality of life. Understanding which comorbidities might develop in a given individual is, therefore, relevant. Early identification of comorbid conditions may lead to early intervention and substantial benefits in terms of health care. Psychiatric, cognitive, and somatic comorbidities are frequently unexposed and therefore, are not treated. The use of screening instruments should be encouraged although there is still a pressing need for the development and validation of such instruments for people with epilepsy with specific comorbidities. Currently, part of a comprehensive assessment of an individual with epilepsy should always include a detailed history of previous and concomitant somatic, cognitive and psychiatric health problems.