Review Article

Prognosis and Outcome Predictors in Psychogenic Nonepileptic Seizures

Table 2

Factors influencing outcome of patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures (PNESs).

StudyYearnFactors associated with “good outcome”Factors associated with “poor outcome”

Reuber et al. [11]200748Better education, motionless spells, shorter history of condition, attending clinic accompanied
Sigurdardottir and Olafsson [3]200722None statistically significantComorbid psychiatric disorders, negativism (passive avoidant behaviour, dissatisfaction with daily life)
Carton et al. [12]200384Relief reaction to diagnosis, employmentLack of acceptance/understanding of diagnosis, continuation of AEDs therapy
An et al. [14]201064Young age at onsetNone statistically significant
Ettinger et al. [17]199943Good social support, good relationships with peers as a childPending litigation
Ettinger et al. [28]199976Accepting the diagnosisNone statistically significant
Irwin et al. [7]200035None statistically significantComorbid epilepsy
Kanner et al. [22]199945Single major depressive episodeRecurrent episodes of depression, personality disorder, dissociative symptoms, chronic abuse (physical/emotional/sexual)
McDade and Brown [8]199216None statistically significantIQ < 80, past history of violent behaviour
McKenzie et al. [10]2010260Bullying as the antecedent, male gender, learning disabilityDepression/anxiety, social security payments, women, PNES only medically unexplained symptom
Meierkord et al. [15]199170Female gender, independent lifestyle, absence of comorbid epilepsyMale gender, coexisting epilepsy
Reuber et al. [11]2003164Low scores on self-report measures of inhibitedness, compulsivity, somatization, depersonalizationCo-morbid epilepsy, poorer education, loss of consciousness, motor features, older age at onset/diagnosis
Selwa et al. [20]200285Catatonic type, shorter duration of conditionThrashing type
Silva et al. [16]200117Acceptance of diagnosis, independent lifestyleNone statistically significant
Wyllie et al. [5]199021None statistically significantNone statistically significant