Trying to predict morbidity and mortality among patients with status epilepticus has proven difficult, and the 2 scoring metrics designed to accomplish that feat have significant shortcomings, according to a retrospective analysis of status epilepticus patients conducted at the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center.
- Investigators reviewed the records of 46 affected patients admitted to the hospital’s neuro-critical care unit.
- Data from the status epilepticus Severity Score (STESS) and Epidemiology-based Mortality Score in Status Epilepticus (EMSE) were analyzed.
- Sensitivity of EMSE was 100% and sensitivity of STESS was 90%.
- The specificity of both metrics was wanting, however: EMSE, 28.6% and STESS, 42.9%.
- Researchers concluded that both scoring systems may help predict clinical outcomes in status epilepticus patients who have few co-existing conditions but are less valuable in populations with several medical problems.
Yechoor A, Adeli A, Hafeez S. External validation of the epidemiology-based mortality score in status epilepticus in an American intensive care population. Epilepsy Res. 2018;148:32-36.
