CLINICAL-SIGNIFICANCE AND OUTCOME OF SUBCLINICAL STATUS EPILEPTICUS IN ADULTS

We reviewed the medical records and the EEGs of all adults treated for status epilepticus (SE) in our center in 4 years. EEG detected subcli nical SE in almost half (49%) of the 45 consecutive patients identifie d. Comparing patients with and those without subclinical SE, we noted that patients with subclinical SE were older (p = 0.02) and more likel y to have focal brain lesions (p = 0.04). In the absence of focal brai n lesions, subclinical SE was still more common in old adults (p < 0.0 1). Regardless of age, subclinical SE was more difficult to control th an clinically overt SE (p = 0.001). Although 24% of all patients died in less than or equal to 60 days, late mortality was not associated wi th subclinical SE (p > 0.05). However, an association between late mor tality and presence of focal brain lesions was suggested by a low p-va lue (0.053). Subclinical SE appeared on the EEG as frequent discrete s eizure episodes in all but 3 patients. None of the patients had a prog ressive sequence of EEG patterns, as was reported in the literature. I nitiation of treatment before EEG recording in most of our patients (8 2%) might have interrupted the sequential appearance of the EEG patter ns.