Abstract
Objective
We retrospectively investigated a cohort of patients with ring chromosome 20 syndrome (r20), aiming to provide information on the prognosis of r20 regarding seizures, cognitive function, comorbidities, and social living.
Methods
Patients diagnosed with r20 in our hospital were identified, and clinical data were extracted from medical records. We used the following seizure outcome classification: favorable seizure outcome, a condition in which seizures do not interfere with daily life, including no seizures, subclinical discharges, sleep seizures or mild focal aware seizures; poor seizure outcome, a condition in which seizures interfere with daily life. Clinical variables were compared between favorable and poor seizure outcome groups.
Results
Forty-seven patients (64% female) were studied. Mean age ± standard deviation (SD) at epilepsy onset was 7.5 ± 3.7 (range 1–15) years. Mosaicism rate was 33 ± 24% (range 1%–97%). Fourteen patients (30%) were classified in the favorable seizure outcome group and 33 (70%) in the poor seizure outcome group. Multivariable analysis identified lower mosaicism rate and higher rate of lamotrigine use as independent factors associated with a favorable seizure outcome. The most effective drug was lamotrigine (69%), followed by valproate (43%) and other sodium channel blockers. Intellectual disability was present in 27 patients (57%), autism spectrum disorder in 8 (17%), and psychiatric symptoms in 10 (21%). Of 30 adult patients, 7 (23%) were employed, 5 (17%) were employed previously but unemployed at the last follow-up, 3 (10%) were employed as disabled, 6 (20%) received employment support, 3 (10%) were college students, and 6 (20%) had no employment history. Twenty-five patients (83%) lived with their families. Two patients (7%) were married.
Significance
In 30% of r20 patients, drug treatment improved seizures to a degree minimally disruptive to daily life. Lamotrigine use was associated with favorable seizure outcome. Social constraints in employment, residence, and marriage were significant, indicating the need for comprehensive epilepsy care.
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