Functional seizures: outcomes
Written and reviewed by Dr Ibrahim Imam, Consultant Neurologist. Last reviewed .
Functional seizures: outcomes. About 70% have on-going seizures after 11 years follow up. Fully referenced neurology checklist.
Outcomes
- About 70% have on-going seizures after 11 years follow up
- Resolution occurs in about 40% of cases
- About 60% remain dependent on benefits
Mortality
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Good prognostic markers
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Poor prognostic markers
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Synonyms
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References
- Reuber M, Pukrop R, Bauer J, Helmstaedter C, Tessendorf N, Elger CE. Outcome in psychogenic nonepileptic seizures: 1 to 10-year follow-up in 164 patients. Ann Neurol 2003; 53:305-311.
- Alsaadi TM, Marquez AV. Psychogenic nonepileptic seizures. Am Fam Physician 2005; 72:849-856.
- Nightscales R, McCartney L, Auvrez C, et al. Mortality in patients with psychogenic nonepileptic seizures. Neurology 2020; 95:e643-e652.
- Kanaan RA, Berlot R, Pollak T, Reuber M, Popkirov S. Mortality in functional seizures: evidence from a large electronic health records dataset. Epilepsia 2026; 67:3709-3718.
- Lesser RP. Treatment and outcome of psychogenic nonepileptic seizures. Epilepsy Curr 2003; 3:198-200.
