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OBJECTIVE: While studies have focused on identifying potential school shooters, little is known about the mental health and other characteristics of students who make threats. This study aimed to describe these students and factors prompting psychiatric interventions and treatment recommendations. METHOD: Child and adolescent psychiatry threat assessment evaluations of 157 consecutive school-referred youths in grades K-12 between 1998 and 2019 were reviewed for demographics, reasons for referral, nature of threat, psychiatric diagnosis, and psychiatric and educational recommendations. Predictors of recommendations for psychiatric interventions were modeled using multivariable logistic regression as a function of above-mentioned covariates. RESULTS: Mean (SD) age of referred students was 13.37 (2.79) years; 88.5% were male; 79.7%, White; 11.6%, Hispanic; 10.1%, Black; 2.5%, Asian. Of students, 51.6% were receiving special education services. Verbal threat was made by 80%, and 29.3% brought a weapon to school. History included being bullied in 43.4%, traumatic family events in 52.2%, physical abuse in 5.1%, sexual abuse in 5.7%, and verbal abuse in 36.3%. Frequently encountered psychiatric diagnoses were attention-deficit/hyperactivity, learning, depressive, anxiety, and autism spectrum disorders, usually in combinations. History of medication treatment was reported in 79 (50.3%) and psychotherapeutic interventions in 57 (36.3%). Recommendations to return the student to their prior schools were made for 63.1%. Recommendations for psychotherapy were made for 79.9%, medication for 88.5%, and both for 70.1%. Therapeutic school setting or psychiatric hospitalization was more likely recommended (with statistical significance) with a prior threat history (odds ratio [OR] 5.47, 95% CI 1.91-15.70), paranoid symptoms (OR 5.72, 95% CI 1.55-21.14, p = .009), autism spectrum disorders (OR 3.45, 95% CI 1.32-9.00), mood disorder (OR 5.71, 95% CI 1.36-23.96), personality disorder (OR 9.47, 95% CI 1.78-50.55), or with psychotherapy recommendation (OR 4.84, 95% CI 1.08-21.75). CONCLUSION: Students who make threats have diverse psychiatric profiles and warrant treatments. A trauma and/or abuse history is common. Evaluations of youths who make threats need to go beyond simply assessing the threat itself and should include identifying underlying psychiatric problems. Psychiatric evaluation of students who issue threats of any type can lead to revelations about psychiatric diagnoses and crucial treatment and educational recommendations. DIVERSITY & INCLUSION STATEMENT: The author list of this paper includes contributors from the location and/or community where the research was conducted who participated in the data collection, design, analysis, and/or interpretation of the work.

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OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to establish whether a past psychiatric history could play a role in the development of psychiatric treatment-emergent adverse events (PTEAEs) in patients randomized to perampanel (PER) or placebo. METHODS: The development of PTEAEs was compared between patients with/without a psychiatric history in a post hoc analysis from four randomized placebo-controlled trials (RPCTs) of PER (304/305/306/335) in patients with treatment-resistant focal epilepsy. RESULTS: Among the 2,187 patients enrolled in the RPCTs, 352 (16.1%) had a psychiatric history (PER n = 244; placebo n = 108), while 1835 patients (83.9%) did not (PER n = 1325; placebo n = 510). Compared to patients without a psychiatric history, those with a positive history reported more PTEAEs for both patients randomized to PER (11.8% vs. 29.9%, p < 0.01) or to placebo (9.2% vs. 19.4%, p < 0.01). The prevalence of PTEAEs was not higher among patients randomized to 2 mg and 4 mg/day doses than placebo in both those with and without psychiatric history. Rather, the higher prevalence rates were among subjects randomized to 8 mg (29.8%) and 12 mg (36.4%) PER doses in patients with a past psychiatric history. SIGNIFICANCE: A psychiatric history appears to increase the risk of PTEAEs in patients randomized to placebo and to PER at doses of 8 and 12 mg/day. It should be identified in all patients considered for treatment with PER, particularly when prescribed at doses above 4 mg/day.

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There is growing evidence for the efficacy of music, specifically Mozart's Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major (K448), at reducing ictal and interictal epileptiform activity. Nonetheless, little is known about the mechanism underlying this beneficial "Mozart K448 effect" for persons with epilepsy. Here, we measured the influence that K448 had on intracranial interictal epileptiform discharges (IEDs) in sixteen subjects undergoing intracranial monitoring for refractory focal epilepsy. We found reduced IEDs during the original version of K448 after at least 30-s of exposure. Nonsignificant IED rate reductions were witnessed in all brain regions apart from the bilateral frontal cortices, where we observed increased frontal theta power during transitions from prolonged musical segments. All other presented musical stimuli were associated with nonsignificant IED alterations. These results suggest that the "Mozart K448 effect" is dependent on the duration of exposure and may preferentially modulate activity in frontal emotional networks, providing insight into the mechanism underlying this response. Our findings encourage the continued evaluation of Mozart's K448 as a noninvasive, non-pharmacological intervention for refractory epilepsy.

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OBJECTIVES: To study the effects of auditory stimuli on interictal epileptiform discharge (IED) rates evident with intracranial monitoring. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eight subjects undergoing intracranial EEG monitoring for refractory epilepsy participated in this study. Auditory stimuli consisted of a 40-Hz tone, a 440-Hz tone modulated by a 40-Hz sinusoid, Mozart's Sonata for Two Pianos in D Major (K448), and K448 modulated by a 40-Hz sinusoid (modK448). Subjects were stratified into high- and low-IED rate groups defined by baseline IED rates. Subject-level analyses identified individual responses to auditory stimuli, discerned specific brain regions with significant reductions in IED rates, and examined the influence auditory stimuli had on whole-brain sigma power (12-16 Hz). RESULTS: All subjects in the high baseline IED group had a significant 35.25% average reduction in IEDs during the 40-Hz tone; subject-level reductions localized to mesial and lateral temporal regions. Exposure to Mozart K448 showed significant yet less homogeneous responses. A post hoc analysis demonstrated two of the four subjects with positive IED responses had increased whole-brain power at the sigma frequency band during 40-Hz stimulation. CONCLUSIONS: Our study is the first to evaluate the relationship between 40-Hz auditory stimulation and IED rates in refractory epilepsy. We reveal that 40-Hz auditory stimuli may be a noninvasive adjunctive intervention to reduce IED burden. Our pilot study supports the future examination of 40-Hz auditory stimuli in a larger population of subjects with high baseline IED rates.

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OBJECTIVE: This assessment was conducted to quantify and compare patient and neurologist preferences regarding antiepileptic drug (AED) attributes for treating epilepsy. METHODS: Patients with epilepsy (≥18years, treated with AEDs) and neurologists were recruited from nationally representative US panels to complete an online survey that included a discrete choice experiment (DCE). Participants chose between two hypothetical AEDs, characterized by six attributes in the DCE, which included 1) level of seizure control/reduction; 2) dosing frequency, 3) diminished coordination and balance, 4) psychiatric issues, 5) diminished energy level, and 6) dietary restrictions. The Sawtooth Software Choice-Based Conjoint (CBC) System for CBC Analysis was used to estimate treatment attribute ranking and weighting. RESULTS: Of the 720 respondents (518 patients and 202 neurologists), both patients and neurologists ranked seizure control as the most important attribute (rank 1) and dietary restrictions as the least important attribute (rank 6). However, seizure control had a significantly greater weighting in neurologists' decision-making than among patients (45% vs 32%, p<0.005). On the other hand, patients considered the risks of psychiatric adverse effects (19% vs 15%), diminished coordination and balance (16% vs 10%), and fatigue or diminished energy (13% vs 11%) as significantly more important (p<0.05) than did neurologists. CONCLUSION: Patients and neurologists had similar preference ranking order, with seizure reduction being ranked the most important attribute. However, neurologist treatment preferences were significantly more influenced by seizure reduction while patient preferences were significantly more influenced by adverse effects that may impact their quality of life. Understanding how patient and neurologist perspectives differ should encourage dialog to communicate the potential risks and benefits of AED therapy and assist in the shared decision-making process.

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Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) have many benefits but also many side effects, including aggression, agitation, and irritability, in some patients with epilepsy. This article offers a comprehensive summary of current understanding of aggressive behaviors in patients with epilepsy, including an evidence-based review of aggression during AED treatment. Aggression is seen in a minority of people with epilepsy. It is rarely seizure related but is interictal, sometimes occurring as part of complex psychiatric and behavioral comorbidities, and it is sometimes associated with AED treatment. We review the common neurotransmitter systems and brain regions implicated in both epilepsy and aggression, including the GABA, glutamate, serotonin, dopamine, and noradrenaline systems and the hippocampus, amygdala, prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex, and temporal lobes. Few controlled clinical studies have used behavioral measures to specifically examine aggression with AEDs, and most evidence comes from adverse event reporting from clinical and observational studies. A systematic approach was used to identify relevant publications, and we present a comprehensive, evidence-based summary of available data surrounding aggression-related behaviors with each of the currently available AEDs in both adults and in children/adolescents with epilepsy. A psychiatric history and history of a propensity toward aggression/anger should routinely be sought from patients, family members, and carers; its presence does not preclude the use of any specific AEDs, but those most likely to be implicated in these behaviors should be used with caution in such cases.

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PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to measure health-care resource utilization and costs in treatment-adherent, previously seizure-free patients with epilepsy who were treated in the inpatient/emergency room (ER) setting for new-onset seizures, compared with matched controls. METHODS: The study used a retrospective case/control study design using administrative claims from the IMS PharMetrics™ database. We identified adult patients with epilepsy with 1+ ER visit/hospitalization with primary diagnosis of epilepsy between 1/1/2006 and 3/31/2011, preceded by 6months of seizure-free activity and antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment adherence (≥80% of days covered by any AED); the first observed seizure defined the "breakthrough" seizure/index event. Treatment-adherent patients with epilepsy without any ER/hospital admission for seizures served as controls: an outpatient epilepsy-related medical claim within the selection window was chosen at random as the index date. The following were continuous enrollment requirements for all patients: ≥12-month pre- and ≥6-month postindex. Each case matched 1:1 to a control using propensity score matching. All-cause and epilepsy-related (epilepsy/convulsion diagnosis, AED pharmacy) resource utilization and unadjusted and adjusted direct health-care costs (per person, 2012 US dollars (USD)) were assessed in a 6-month follow-up period. PRINCIPAL RESULTS: There were 5729 cases and 14,437 controls eligible. The final sample comprised 5279 matched case/control pairs. In unadjusted analyses, matched cases had significantly higher rates of all-cause hospitalization and ER visits compared to controls and significantly higher total all-cause direct health-care costs (median $12,714 vs. $5095, p<0.001) and total epilepsy-related costs among cases vs. controls (median $7293 vs. $1712, p<0.001), driven by higher inpatient costs. Among cases, costs increased with each subsequent seizure (driven by inpatient costs). Cases had 2.3 times higher adjusted all-cause costs and 8.1 times higher adjusted epilepsy-related costs than controls (both p<0.001). CONCLUSION: Inpatient/ER-treated breakthrough seizures occurred among 28.4% of our treatment-adherent study sample and were associated with significant incremental health-care utilization and costs, primarily driven by hospitalizations. Our findings suggest the need for better seizure control via optimal patient management and the use of effective AED therapy, which can potentially lower health-care costs.

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OBJECTIVE: Perampanel, a selective, noncompetitive α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) glutamate receptor antagonist, is indicated for adjunctive treatment of partial seizures in patients ≥12 years based on three phase III clinical studies. The perampanel U.S. Prescribing Information includes a boxed warning for serious psychiatric and behavioral adverse reactions. To provide context for this warning, detail on psychiatric and behavioral safety data from perampanel clinical studies is presented. METHODS: An analysis of pooled safety data from three phase III studies in patients with partial seizures is presented. Data from phase I and phase II studies in patients with and without epilepsy were also analyzed. Psychiatric and behavioral treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were evaluated according to Medical Dictionary for Regulatory Activities (MedDRA) terms, using "narrow" and "narrow-and-broad" standardized MedDRA queries (SMQs) for TEAEs suggestive of hostility/aggression. RESULTS: From the three phase III partial-seizure studies, the overall rate of psychiatric TEAEs was higher in the 8 mg (17.2%) and 12 mg (22.4%) perampanel groups versus placebo (12.4%). In the "narrow" SMQ, hostility/aggression TEAEs were observed in 2.8% for 8 mg and 6.3% for 12 mg perampanel groups, versus 0.7% of placebo patients. "Narrow-and-broad" SMQs for hostility/aggression TEAE rates were 12.3% for 8 mg and 20.4% for 12 mg perampanel groups, versus 5.7% for placebo; rates for events resulting in discontinuation were perampanel = 1.6% versus placebo = 0.7%. For events reported as serious AEs (SAEs), rates were perampanel = 0.7% versus placebo = 0.2%. In nonepilepsy patients, psychiatric TEAEs were similar between patients receiving perampanel and placebo. In phase I subjects/volunteers, all psychiatric TEAEs were mild or moderate. These analyses suggest that psychiatric adverse effects are associated with use of perampanel. SIGNIFICANCE: Patients and caregivers should be counseled regarding the potential risk of psychiatric and behavioral events with perampanel in patients with partial seizures; patients should be monitored for these events during treatment, especially during titration and at higher doses.

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OBJECTIVE: To assess symptoms of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and their impact among adults with epilepsy from a large community-based survey. METHODS: Adults who self-reported epilepsy were sent a postal survey including the Adult ADHD Self-Report Scale version 6 (ASRS-6), Physicians Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), Generalized Anxiety Disorder Assessment 7 (GAD-7), and questions about seizure frequency and number of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) during the preceding 3 months. Individuals with ASRS-6 scores >14 were classified as ASRS+, and those with lower scores as ASRS-. Outcome measures included the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory 10 (QOLIE-10), Quality of Life and Enjoyment and Satisfaction Questionnaire (Q-LES-Q), and the Sheehan Disability Scale (SDS). The relationship of ADHD symptoms to quality of life outcomes was modeled hierarchically, with linear regression controlling for sociodemographic covariates, comorbid depression and anxiety, seizure frequency, and number of AEDs. RESULTS: Among 1,361 of respondents with active epilepsy, 18.4% (n = 251) were classified as ASRS+ and at risk for ADHD. Compared to ASRS- cases, ASRS+ individuals were more likely to have elevated depression and anxiety scores as well as greater seizure frequency and more AED use (p < 0.05 for all). Modeling results comparing ASRS+ and ASRS- cases, controlling for all covariates, indicated that ASRS+ cases had lower quality of life (Beta [ß] = -3.07, 95% confidence interval [CI] -4.19 to -1.96) and worse physical (ß = -0.048 95% CI -0.076 to -0.020) and social functioning (ß = -0.058, 95% CI -0.081 to -0.035) on the Q-LES-Q, and increases in family (ß = 1.57, 95% CI 1.09-2.05), social (ß = 1.68, 95% CI 1.20-2.16), and work-related disability (ß-1.86, 95% CI 1.27-2.46). SIGNIFICANCE: ADHD symptoms occur in nearly one of five adults with epilepsy, and are associated with increased psychosocial morbidity and lowered QOL. Future studies should clarify the nature and causes of ADHD symptoms in adults with epilepsy.

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We sought to examine the impact of depression upon antiepileptic drug (AED) adherence in patients with epilepsy. We administered the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D), Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (NDDI-E), Seizure Severity Questionnaire (SSQ), and Quality of Life in Epilepsy-10 (QOLIE-10) and measured AED adherence by utilizing the medication possession ratio (MPR) in adult patients with epilepsy identified through a pharmacy claims database. From a sampling frame of over 10,000 patients identified in claims, 2750 were randomly selected and contacted directly by mail to participate in the cross-sectional survey. A total of 465 eligible patients completed a survey. Survey data were combined with administrative claims data for analysis. We conducted a path analysis to assess the relationships between depression, adherence, seizure severity, and quality of life (QOL). Patients with depression scored significantly worse on measures of seizure severity (p=.003), QOL (p<.001), and adherence (p=.001). On path analysis, depression and QOL and seizure severity and QOL were related, but only the NDDI-E scores had a significant relationship with medication adherence (p=.001). Depression as measured by the NDDI-E was correlated with an increased risk of AED nonadherence. Depression or seizure severity adversely impacted QOL. These results demonstrate yet another important reason to screen for depression in epilepsy.

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Seizure-related head injury (SRHI) is an under-recognized condition frequently experienced by people with epilepsy (PWE). The purpose of this study is to investigate the potential impact of SRHI on health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among PWE receiving care in a tertiary epilepsy center. Consecutive adult PWE receiving care at the Baylor Comprehensive Epilepsy Center (BCEC) were recruited for the study. After their informed consent was obtained, patients were administered the QOLIE-31 to measure HRQOL and the NDDI-E to screen for depression. Simple linear regression was used to identify clinical variables associated with HRQOL and that included SRHI obtained systematically at each clinic visit. Data were also compared between the SRHI and non-SRHI groups. Participants included 172 subjects. Recurrent mild SRHI occurred in 50 (29%) subjects. Factors with a negative effect on HRQOL included depression (slope=-19.99 [95% CI -25.16, -14.81]; p<.0001), recurrent SRHI (-17.02 [-22.35, -11.69]; p<.0001), past SRHI (-13.46 [-18.43, -8.48]; p<.0001), and seizure frequency (-0.17 [-0.26, -0.07]; p=0.001) on univariate analysis. With stepwise multiple regression, depression and recurrent SRHI significantly impacted HRQOL with slopes (95% CI; p-value) of (-17.53 [-22.34, -12.73]; p<.0001) and (-14.03 [-18.78, -9.28]; p<.0001), respectively. Patient-derived HRQOL is negatively associated with depression and recurrent SRHI, independently. There has been a justifiable increased awareness of the potential effects of head injuries among healthy individuals. Our data suggest that head injuries can certainly be detrimental among PWE, and greater efforts should be made to recognize and formulate prevention strategies for SRHI.

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To understand the relative importance of the outcomes of add-on antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and the willingness of patients with epilepsy to accept therapeutic trade-offs between seizure control and tolerability, we administered a Web-enabled, choice-format conjoint survey to patients with a self-reported physician diagnosis of epilepsy and symptoms of partial seizures. Patients answered nine choice questions to evaluate treatment outcomes of two different hypothetical add-on AEDs. Patients were first asked to choose the better of the two medicines and then asked a follow-up question about whether or not they would add the selected AED to their current treatment regimen. Our study demonstrated that patients with epilepsy consider seizure reduction to be the top priority when ranking it against the reduction or elimination of side effects. This study aids in better understanding of patients' AED treatment preferences and may aid in management of epilepsy.

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The clinical manifestations of depression in people with epilepsy (PWE) are pleomorphic, often associated with anxiety symptoms and anxiety disorders. The ongoing debate of whether the clinical presentation of depression in PWE is unique to this neurologic disorder is reviewed. Comorbid depression can impact the recruitment of PWE for pharmacologic trials with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Yet, the impact of depression on the response of the seizure disorder to pharmacotherapy with AEDs and its impact on worse adverse events may bias the interpretation of the trial findings, particularly when depressed patients are included in the AED trials. PWE have a greater suicidal risk than the general population. This risk is mediated by multiple factors, and recent data from the FDA have imputed a potential pathogenic role to all AEDs. The recognition of patients at risk is reviewed. Yet, the validity of the FDA data has been questioned, and the status of this controversial question is analyzed. As in the case of epilepsy, depression and pain syndromes have a relatively high comorbidity. The negative impact of depression on pain is reminiscent of that of depression in PWE; furthermore, the high comorbidity may be also associated with the existence of common pathogenic mechanisms. Neurologists and in particular, epileptologists establish the diagnosis of psychogenic non-epileptic seizures (PNES) in whom a comorbid depressive disorder is very often identified. The role of depression in the course of PNES and its treatment are discussed. Scarce data are available on the treatment of depression in PWE. Thus, clinicians have had to adopt data from patients with primary depressive disorders. We outline a consensus strategy on the identification and treatment of depressive disorders in adult and pediatric patients with epilepsy.

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Depression is the most frequent psychiatric comorbidity in people with epilepsy (PWE) with lifetime prevalence rates ranging between 30 and 35%. Multifactorial variables play a pathogenic role in the high comorbid occurrence of these two disorders. These variables were critically examined during an international symposium held in Chicago in September 2010, the results of which are presented in two companion manuscripts. The first manuscript summarizes new epidemiologic data highlighting the bidirectional relation between depression and epilepsy and related methodological issues in studying this relationship. An examination of the neurobiologic aspects of primary mood disorders, mood disorders in PWE and pathogenic mechanisms of epilepsy derived from studies in animal models and humans is allowing a better understanding of the complex relation between the two conditions. In the first manuscript, we review data from animal models of epilepsy in which equivalent symptoms of depression and anxiety disorders develop and, conversely, animal models of depression in which the kindling process is facilitated. Data from structural and functional neuroimaging studies in humans provide a further understanding of potential common pathogenic mechanisms operant in depression and epilepsy that may explain their high comorbidity. The negative impact of depression on the control of seizure disorders has been documented in various studies. In this manuscript, these data are reviewed and potential mechanisms explaining this phenomenon are proposed.

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We aimed to assess rates of bipolar symptoms versus bipolar disorder in epilepsy, and the effect of bipolar symptoms on quality of life (QOL) in epilepsy. Bipolar, disability, and QOL instruments were administered to 99 tertiary epilepsy center patients. Patients who scored positive on the Mood Disorder Questionnaire (MDQ) also completed depression scales and a structured psychiatric interview. Results indicated MDQ+ patients (10.1%) had worse QOL and more work, social, and family life disruptions. Most MDQ+ patients did not have bipolar disorder. There was close overlap between depressive and bipolar symptomatology. Based on results of this study, bipolar symptom is not synonymous with bipolar disorder. Symptoms picked up by the MDQ may be epilepsy-related depressive symptoms. Bipolar symptoms are associated with more disability, worse QOL, and may have treatment implications.

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In order to address the major impact on quality of life and epilepsy management caused by associated neuropsychiatric conditions, an international consensus group of epileptologists met with the aim of developing clear evidence-based and practice-based statements to provide guidance on the management of these conditions. Using a Delphi process, this group prioritized a list of key management areas. These included: depression, anxiety, psychotic disorders, nonepileptic seizures, cognitive dysfunction, antiepileptic drug (AED)-related neurobehavioral disorders, suicidality, disorders in children and adolescents, disorders in children with intellectual disability, and epilepsy surgery. Clinical practice statements were developed for each area and consensus reached among members of the group. The assessment and management of these conditions needs to combine knowledge of psychiatric disorders, knowledge of the impact of epilepsy and its treatment on psychopathology, and an ability to deliver care within epilepsy services. The aim of these statements is to provide guidance on quality care for people with epilepsy that have a range of neuropsychiatric disorders.

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In today's challenging healthcare environment, clinicians need to understand the fundamentals of financial analysis, which are the underpinnings of their clinical programs, especially when seeking administrative support for new initiatives. The business plan for new clinical program initiatives is composed of diverse elements such as the mission statement, market and competitive analyses, operations plan, and financial analysis. Armed with a basic knowledge of financial analysis of clinical programs, as well as forward-looking analysis of an initiative's added value, the healthcare provider can work much more effectively with administration in developing or creating new healthcare program initiatives.

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This paper reviews the distinct symptom profile, epidemiology, pathogenesis, assessment, and treatment of anxiety disorders. It highlights emerging neuroimaging research in mood and anxiety disorders in people with epilepsy. While structural neuroimaging has implicated frontal temporal grey matter structures in mood and anxiety disorders, diffusion tensor imaging and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) show promise in elucidating white matter changes. In addition, future MRS studies may demonstrate changes in glutamate and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in these regions and hopefully help inform response to treatment.

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BACKGROUND: Inpatient utilization associated with incidence of geriatric new-onset epilepsy has not been characterized in any large study, despite recognized high levels of risk factors (comorbidity). METHODS: Retrospective study using administrative data (Oct '01-Sep '05) from the Veterans Health Administration from a nationwide sample of 824,483 patients over age 66 in the retrospective observational Treatment In Geriatric Epilepsy Research (TIGER) study. Psychiatric and medical hospital admissions were analyzed as a function of patient demographics, comorbid psychiatric, neurological, and other medical conditions, and new-onset epilepsy. RESULTS: Elderly patients experienced a 15% hospitalization rate in FY00 overall, but the subset of new-onset epilepsy patients (n = 1,610) had a 52% hospitalization rate. New-onset epilepsy was associated with three-fold increased relative odds of psychiatric admission and nearly five-fold increased relative odds of medical admission. Among new-onset epilepsy patients, alcohol dependence was most strongly associated with psychiatric admission during the first year after epilepsy onset (odds ratio = 5.2; 95% confidence interval 2.6-10.0), while for medical admissions the strongest factor was myocardial infarction (odds ratio = 4.7; 95% confidence interval 2.7-8.3). CONCLUSION: From the patient point of view, new-onset epilepsy was associated with an increased risk of medical admission as well as of psychiatric admission. From an analytic perspective, omitting epilepsy and other neurological conditions may lead to overestimation of the risk of admission attributable solely to psychiatric conditions. Finally, from a health systems perspective, the emerging picture of the epilepsy patient with considerable comorbidity and demand for healthcare resources may merit development of practice guidelines to improve coordinated delivery of care.

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