Psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) in the COVID-19 pandemic era: A systematic review with individual patients' analysis.

Evangelista, Giacomo; Consoli, Stefano; Pasini, Francesco; Russo, Mirella; Nucera, Bruna; Rinaldi, Fabrizio; Battaglia, Giulia; Vollono, Catello; Brigo, Francesco; Onofrj, Marco; Sensi, Stefano L.; Frazzini, Valério; Anzellotti, Francesca

doi:10.1016/j.jpsychores.2022.111046

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

References 43 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…This led to the inability to optimize medical therapies in complex epilepsies and complete the pre-surgical work up for planning epilepsy surgeries at many institutions (8), which unnecessarily placed patients with drug-resistant epilepsy at an increased risk of mortality, including sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) (14, 28-30). This also likely affected recent onset functional seizure disorders as many could not be evaluated with LTVEM in an EMU setting due to COVID restrictions, likely leading to underdiagnosis and misdiagnosis (31). Restrictions on EMU admissions and subsequent delays in diagnosis and treatment could have other implications, including a higher risk of suicide in those with functional seizures as well as increased rates of morbidity and mortality in those with nonepileptic spells related to physiological disorders, such as cardiac dysrhythmias that may also be diagnosed in the EMU during admission (32).…”

Section: Long-term Video Eeg Monitoringmentioning

confidence: 99%

EEG as an indispensable tool during and after the COVID-19 pandemic: A review of tribulations and successes

Freund

Feyissa

2022

Front. Neurol.

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, elective and non-emergent tests and procedures were delayed or suspended in lieu of diverting resources to more emergent treatment of critically ill patients and to avoid the spread and contraction of COVID-19. Further, the workforce was stretched thin, and healthcare facilities saw high turnover rates for full-time and contract employees, which strained the system and reduced the ability to provide clinical services. One of the casualties of these changes was electroencephalography (EEG) procedures, which have been performed less frequently throughout the world since the pandemic. Whether considered routine or emergent, the deferral of EEG studies can cause downstream effects, including a delay in diagnosis and initiation of treatment for epilepsy and non-epileptic seizures resulting in a higher risk of morbidity and mortality. Despite these limitations, the importance and utility of EEG and EEG technologists have been reinforced with the development of COVID-related neurological complications, including encephalopathy and seizures, which require EEG for diagnosis and treatment. Since the pandemic, reliance on remote telemonitoring has further highlighted the value and ease of using EEG. There has also been a heightened interest in rapid EEG devices that non-technologist professionals can attach quickly, allowing minimum patient contact to avoid exposure to COVID-19 and taking advantage of remote EEG monitoring. This review discusses the acute and potential long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the use and performance of EEG.

show abstract

Section: Long-term Video Eeg Monitoringmentioning

confidence: 99%