Risk Factors of SUDEP
Risk Factors of SUDEP
Numerous studies over the past decade have shown without any doubt that there is a higher
 mortality risk in patients with epilepsy than in the general population. The cause of death
 may be related to the cause of epilepsy, being directly related to a seizure (status
 epilepticus or sudden unexpected death in epilepsy; SUDEP), a consequence of seizures
 (accidents, etc), other associated pathologies (cancer, cardiovascular disease, ischemic
 heart disease, pneumonia, etc) or an associated disorder (depression or suicide). A SUDEP is
 defined as a sudden, non-traumatic, unexpected death in a patient with epilepsy, not
 necessarily in the presence of witnesses, that is not due to drowning, with or without
 evidence of a seizure, excluding documented status epilepticus and in which a post-mortem
 autopsy reveals no anatomical or toxicological cause of death. Little is known about SUDEP
 and its mechanisms and risk factors.

 This epidemiological study is based on the RSME. The Main objective of this study to identify
 risk factors of SUDEP, in particular night-time supervision and the risks associated with
 anti-epileptic drugs including compliance and drug interactions.
Numerous studies over the past decade have shown without any doubt that there is a higher
 mortality risk in patients with epilepsy than in the general population. The cause of death
 may be related to the cause of epilepsy, being directly related to a seizure (status
 epilepticus or sudden unexpected death in epilepsy; SUDEP), a consequence of seizures
 (accidents, etc), other associated pathologies (cancer, cardiovascular disease, ischemic
 heart disease, pneumonia, etc) or an associated disorder (depression or suicide). A SUDEP is
 defined as a sudden, non-traumatic, unexpected death in a patient with epilepsy, not
 necessarily in the presence of witnesses, that is not due to drowning, with or without
 evidence of a seizure, excluding documented status epilepticus and in which a post-mortem
 autopsy reveals no anatomical or toxicological cause of death. Little is known about SUDEP
 and its mechanisms and risk factors.

 A French national network on epilepsy related death (Reseau Sentinelle Mortalité Epilepsie,
 RSME) will be initially established in 2010 by the French League Against Epilepsy (LFCE)
 under the leadership of bereaved families and supported by the French Foundation for Epilepsy
 Research (FFRE). This epidemiological study is based on the RSME.

 The Main objective of this study to identify risk factors of SUDEP, in particular night-time
 supervision and the risks associated with anti-epileptic drugs including compliance and drug
 interactions.

 The study design is an epidemiological case-control study. The cases are SUDEP identified in
 the RSME and French centres of Epileptology.

 Epilepsy-related deaths are reported by physicians but also by bereaved families. An
 interview with a psychologist will be proposed at this moment.

 The control group will include patients with epilepsy and relatives of patients from tertiary
 epilepsy units (in particular, participants of GRENAT registry or a national multicenter
 study RESPOMSE), private neurologists or general practitioners and thanks from patients
 associations.

 Sociodemographic data, lifestyle, personal and family medical history will be collected
 during an interview with a psychologist by phone or during a face to face interview. For
 bereaved families, information on causes and circumstances of beloved one's death will be
 collected during these interviews.The characteristics of epilepsy will be completed by the
 patient's neurologist.
Inclusion Criteria:

 Cases : Any patient with active epilepsy (treated or not) or in remission under treatment
 or without treatment for at least two years who died as a result of confirmed or probable
 SUDEP or NEAR SUDEP during the study period.

 Controls : Patient with active epilepsy (treated or not) or in remission under treatment or
 without treatment for at least two years and matched by: age, epileptic syndrom and level
 of seizure controls

 Exclusion Criteria:

 For cases and controls :patient not living in France, refusal of participation