Outcomes of newly diagnosed idiopathic generalized epilepsy syndromes in a non-pediatric setting

The prognosis of idiopathic generalized epilepsy syndromes (IGES) in the adult setting may vary from that in children owing to differences in genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors.

All patients diagnosed with epilepsy at the Epilepsy Unit, Western Infirmary, Glasgow, between 1981 and 2001 were reviewed.

Of 890 patients, 118 (13%) met the criteria for IGES. Outcomes were known for 103, 66 (64%) of whom achieved remission. The responder rate with sodium valproate was superior (66% vs 45%, P = 0.073) to that with lamotrigine (LTG) particularly in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsies (75% vs 39%, P = 0.014). History of febrile seizures was the only factor associated with reduced likelihood of remission (P = 0.032)

Idiopathic generalized epilepsy syndromes constituted 13% of cases in a largely adult cohort of newly diagnosed epilepsy, most of whom achieved remission usually with a single antiepileptic drug. History of febrile seizures was associated with a poorer outcome.