Researchers examined generalized convulsive status epilepticus (GCSE) in 1,457,869 patients hospitalized with traumatic brain injury (TBI) in the United States from 2002 to 2010. They found that GCSE, despite its low incidence, was associated with worse outcomes in this patient cohort. The study showed:
- Incidence of GCSE in TBI is low (0.16%)
- In-hospital mortality was significantly higher in patients with GCSE
- Patients with GCSE had longer hospital stay and were less likely to be discharged home
- Epilepsy was a negative predictor of GCSE in hospitalized patients with TBI
Dhakar MB, Sivakumar S, Bhattacharya P, Shah A, Basha MM. A retrospective cross-sectional study of the prevalence of generalized convulsive status epilepticus in traumatic brain injury: United States 2002-2010. Seizure. doi:10.1016/j.seizure.2015.08.005.