Functional status (FSt) can be defined as prolonged or rapidly recurring episodes of paroxysmal attacks that resembles status epilepticus which are not associated with intracerebral ictal activity on EEG. It is not an uncommon presentation in the emergency department (ED). The two largest status epilepticus treatment trials, RAMPART (Rapid Anticonvulsant Medication Prior to Arrival Trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00809146)) and ESETT (Established Status Epilepticus Treatment Trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT01960075)) demonstrated that 8.1% of patients with presumed status epilepticus were discharged with a final diagnosis of prolonged functional seizures or FSt [29], highlighting the widespread scale of the problem and the challenge of making an accurate diagnosis even in those enrolled in large well-conducted research trials.
SEP