Epilepsy-related clinical characteristics and mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Editors' Note: Commenting on “Epilepsy-related clinical characteristics and mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis,” Sethi suggests that epilepsy-related mortality may also be related to non–epilepsy-related factors that were unaccounted for in the study. Furthermore, Keezer et al. are concerned that the pooled effect estimates presented may be inaccurate. Nevalainen et al. address both comments. —Chafic Karam, MD, and Robert C. Griggs, MD Nevalainen et al.1 highlighted the global burden of epilepsy. Epilepsy-related mortality is influenced by syndrome type, underlying etiology, seizure control, adherence to antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy, and psychiatric and behavioral comorbidities. In addition, non–epilepsy-related factors such as ease of access to medical care and cost of AEDs affect mortality. As the authors point out, it is impossible to consider every factor in any meta-analysis on epilepsy.1 The authors' findings …