Factors in the development of refractory status epilepticus in status epilepticus patients

Status epilepticus (SE) is a severe neurological condition associated with a poor prognosis. Refractory status epilepticus (RSE) is a treatment-resistant form of SE with an even worse prognosis. The exact mechanisms underlying the development of RSE are not fully understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the factors contributing to the development of RSE in SE patients and to identify predictors of RSE occurrence.

This retrospective study was conducted on patients diagnosed with SE and RSE between 2014 and 2024. Demographic information, comorbid conditions, and blood sample data of the patients were recorded for statistical analysis. The statistical analyses used included the Mann-Whitney U test, Chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, ROC curve analysis, and logistic regression.

A total of 82 SE patients were included in the study. Of these, 44 were non-RSE patients (control group), and 38 were RSE patients. Significant differences were observed between the groups in terms of median age (p = 0.001), blood glucose level (p = 0.023), pan-immune inflammation value (PIV) (p = 0.002), Monocyte/Lymphocyte Ratio (MLR) (p = 0.009), Neutrophil/Albumin Ratio (NAR) (p = 0.003), Systemic Immune Inflammation Index (SII) (p = 0.013), Eosinophil/Lymphocyte Ratio (ELR) (p = 0.016), Eosinophil/Neutrophil Ratio (ENR) (p = 0.006), and Eosinophil/Monocyte Ratio (EMR) (p = 0.002). The multivariate logistic regression model identified the presence of arterial hypertension as the only factor significantly associated with the development of RSE (p < 0.001). In the ROC curve analysis, PIV (AUC = 0.696) and NAR (AUC = 0.689) were found to be predictive factors for RSE.

The findings obtained in the current study suggest that systemic inflammation and arterial hypertension may be associated with the progression of SE to RSE. Further research is needed to confirm these findings and integrate them into routine clinical practice.