Refractory epilepsy is a life-threatening disease

It has long been known that premature mortality is increased on average 2- to 3-fold in epilepsy compared to the general population.1 Premature mortality in those with epilepsy is often attributed to its underlying etiology (especially structural-metabolic causes); however, epilepsy-related causes such as status epilepticus and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP), along with comorbidities, are substantial contributors to epilepsy-related mortality.2 The highest mortality occurs in individuals with drug-resistant epilepsy,1 suggesting that seizure control is an important approach to reduce the risk of premature death.

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