Outcomes after convulsive status epilepticus

---were generally poor and related to the duration of status in this study:

The median time from convulsive status epilepticus onset to anticonvulsant drug initiation was 40 mins (interquartile range, 5–80). Total seizure duration was 85 mins (interquartile range, 46.5–180). Convulsive status epilepticus was refractory in 49 (20%) patients. The most common causes of convulsive status epilepticus were anticonvulsive agent withdrawal (36.4%) in patients with previous epilepsy and stroke (27.7%) in inaugural convulsive status epilepticus. Mechanical ventilation was needed in 210 (85%) patients. On day 90, 42 (18.8%) patients were dead, 87 (38.8%) had marked functional impairments (Glasgow Outcome Scale score, 2–4), and 95 (42.4%) had a good recovery (Glasgow Outcome Scale score, 5). Factors showing independent positive associations with poor outcome (Glasgow Outcome Scale score, less than 5) were older age (odds ratio, 1.04/year; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–1.05; p = .0005), cerebral insult (odds ratio, 2.70; 95% confidence interval, 1.37–5.26; p = .007), longer seizure duration (odds ratio, 1.72/120 min; 95% confidence interval, 1.05–2.86; p = .03), on-scene focal neurologic signs (odds ratio, 2.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.03–4.16; p = .04), and refractory convulsive status epilepticus (odds ratio, 2.70; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–7.14; p = .045).

Conclusions: Ninety days after intensive care unit admission for convulsive status epilepticus, half the survivors had severe functional impairments. Longer seizure duration, cerebral insult, and refractory convulsive status epilepticus were strongly associated with poor outcomes, suggesting a role for early neuroprotective strategies.