Which methods of rediagnosing or reevaluating treatment-resistant epilepsy lead to, or can be expected to lead to improved patient outcomes?
This question attempts to gauge the extent of the need for rediagnosis among patients thought to have treatment-resistant epilepsy. Our evaluation of the published literature suggests the following: • Meta-analysis suggests that up to 35 percent of patients originally diagnosed with treatment-resistant epilepsy either do not have epilepsy, or they have a combination of both epileptic and nonepileptic seizures. Because this number is derived from studies that enrolled patients suspected of having nonepileptic seizures, the actual number is probably lower. • None of the studies included in the above-mentioned meta-analysis contained pediatric patients. Thus, the prevalence of pediatric patients diagnosed with treatment resistant epilepsy and who either do not have epilepsy or have a combination of both epileptic and nonepileptic seizures is unknown. • These findings suggest that some patients enrolled in studies included in this evidence report may not have epilepsy. If this is the case,
