Review Article

Prognosis and Outcome Predictors in Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures

Table 1

Studies on the prognosis of patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNESs).

StudyYearnAge (mean/range)Gender
(% female)
Adults (A)/Children (C)DiagnosisFollow up duration (mean/range)Follow up rate“Good outcome” (% seizure free)Seizure-freedom definition“Poor outcome”“Poor outcome” definition

Arain et al. [18]200716520–8163%AvEEG3 months29%35%In last 2 months65%Seizures continued
Bodde et al. [13]20072815–4986%AEEG4–6 years79%32%In last year55%>1 seizure every 2 months
Carton et al. [12]200311516–6477%AEEG1–7 years70%28%n.s24%No change/Increased seizure frequency
Reuber et al. [11]2003329Mean 39
(SD 14)
79%AvEEG4.1 years50%29%In last year71%Seizures continued
An et al. [14]2010643–8250%A & CvEEG16 months81%54%In last 3 months46%Seizures continued
Ettinger et al. [17]1999431–5091%A & CvEEG6–9 months78%19%n.s15%No change/Increased seizure frequency
Ettinger et al. [28]199976Mean 33 (12–58)71%A & CvEEG18 months (SD 11)74%52%n.s48%Seizures continued
McKenzie et al. [10]201026013–8775%A & CvEEG/ ambulatory EEG6 months72%38%In last 2 months30%No change/Increased seizure frequency
Meierkord et al. [15]1991707–7186%A & CEEG1–14 years77%40%In last 6 months60%Seizures continued
Silva et al. [16]20011712–6970%A & CvEEG0.5–3 years100%23%In follow up period77%Seizures continued
Bhatia and Sapra [6]2005507–1256%CHistory/ examination3 months100%72%In follow up period28%Seizures continued
Irwin et al. [7]2000356–1869%CHistory/ examination4.6 yearsN/A66%In last 6 months9%No change/Increased seizure frequency
Wyllie et al. [5]1990218–1871%CvEEG0.5–6 years86%78%n.s22%Seizures continued
Kanner et al. [22]199945Mean 30.4 (SD 11)69%n.s.vEEG1–6 months100%29%In follow up period71%Seizures continued
McDade and Brown [8]199218Mean 34.1 (SD n.s)38%n.s.vEEG/ ambulatory EEG2 weeks89%69%In follow up period31%>1 seizure since diagnosis
O'Sullivan et al. [29]200750Mean 33.6 (SD n.s)47%n.s.vEEG21 months76%16%n.s84%Seizures continued
Riaz et al. [9]199825Mean 33.6 (SD 9.7)80%n.s.Casenote analysis14 months60%67%n.s20%No change/Increased seizure frequency
Selwa et al. [20]200285n.s.72%n.s.vEEG1.5–4 years67%40%n.s44%<90% reduction or no improvement

Abbreviations. n.s.: not specified; vEEG: video-electroencephalography.