RESULTS
3.1. Epilepsy Centers Characteristics
The survey was sent by email for twelve centers. Nine centers responded the main questionnaire. Four (44.4%) respondents were from the South region of Brazil; three (33.3%) were from the Southeast and; two (22.2%) were from the Central West region. All of the respondents were epileptologists (neurologists) responsible for their centers (Epilepsy Center Coordinators).Two centers did not answer the email and one center did not collaborate for not accepting patients with PNES at the moment of this research.
All centers identified themselves as tertiary epilepsy centers and eight (88.8%) as epilepsy surgery centers. The number of adult patients with epilepsy per month attended at the outpatient facility, …show more content…
Induction procedures during VEEG were used only if necessary in three (33.3%)-two with saline solution and one with verbal induction - and not used in others (5/9 [55.5%]).
3.3. Communication
Terminology used to communicate was psychogenic nonepileptic seizures in seven; psychogenic nonepileptic events in one and one center does not have a common terminology. Two centers provided an explanation about the term used afer communication.
The professional who communicates the diagnosis was the epileptologist and the psychiatrist team in five centers (55.%). In the remaining four (44.4.%), a neurologist related to the team or the epileptologist communicates the diagnosis.
In eight centers , patient and families are communicated and in one, only patients received the diagnosis.
3. 4. Treatment Protocol
None of the centers had a specific protocol to treat PNES, but eight (88.8%) had a homogeneous treatment approach for PNES. All centers responded that one psychiatrist (always the same) familiar with the PNES treatment provided follow-up with a standard method. Six (66.6%) respondents referred that the epileptologist in charge for the patient's’ diagnosis continued to follow the patients to increase treatment adherence (3/6) and as part of the protocol (2/6). In case of non-adherence or refusal to psychiatric/psychological treatment, all centers continue the follow-up with the epileptologist in
3.1. Epilepsy Centers Characteristics
The survey was sent by email for twelve centers. Nine centers responded the main questionnaire. Four (44.4%) respondents were from the South region of Brazil; three (33.3%) were from the Southeast and; two (22.2%) were from the Central West region. All of the respondents were epileptologists (neurologists) responsible for their centers (Epilepsy Center Coordinators).Two centers did not answer the email and one center did not collaborate for not accepting patients with PNES at the moment of this research.
All centers identified themselves as tertiary epilepsy centers and eight (88.8%) as epilepsy surgery centers. The number of adult patients with epilepsy per month attended at the outpatient facility, …show more content…
Induction procedures during VEEG were used only if necessary in three (33.3%)-two with saline solution and one with verbal induction - and not used in others (5/9 [55.5%]).
3.3. Communication
Terminology used to communicate was psychogenic nonepileptic seizures in seven; psychogenic nonepileptic events in one and one center does not have a common terminology. Two centers provided an explanation about the term used afer communication.
The professional who communicates the diagnosis was the epileptologist and the psychiatrist team in five centers (55.%). In the remaining four (44.4.%), a neurologist related to the team or the epileptologist communicates the diagnosis.
In eight centers , patient and families are communicated and in one, only patients received the diagnosis.
3. 4. Treatment Protocol
None of the centers had a specific protocol to treat PNES, but eight (88.8%) had a homogeneous treatment approach for PNES. All centers responded that one psychiatrist (always the same) familiar with the PNES treatment provided follow-up with a standard method. Six (66.6%) respondents referred that the epileptologist in charge for the patient's’ diagnosis continued to follow the patients to increase treatment adherence (3/6) and as part of the protocol (2/6). In case of non-adherence or refusal to psychiatric/psychological treatment, all centers continue the follow-up with the epileptologist in