Prognosis and duration of disabling effects
In looking at prognosis and duration of disabling effects, it is helpful to divide seizures into idiopathic (seizures without any known cause) and secondary (where there is an underlying cause).
The success in preventing seizures with Anti-Epileptic Drugs (AEDs) varies depending upon the type of seizure. With idiopathic seizures, there is a good chance that AEDs will control the condition. However, seizures caused by underlying brain disease may be more difficult to control.
Suggested factors for the development of chronic, poorly controlled epilepsy include:
- Presence of additional disabling conditions
- Partial epilepsy
- More than one seizure type
- Long duration of active seizures
- Frequent seizures at onset
| Type | Date of Onset | Award Period |
|---|---|---|
|
Generalised seizure (with status epilepticus in last 12 months): Absence seizure (Petit mal) Atonic seizure Clonic seizure Myoclonic seizure Tonic seizure Tonic-clonic seizure (Grand mal) primary or secondary |
Episode within the last year |
1 year award |
|
Partial seizure (with status epilepticus in last 12 months: Complex partial seizure Complex partial seizure evolving to generalised tonic-clonic seizure Simple partial seizure |
Episode within the last year |
1 year award |
|
Generalised seizure (without status epilepticus in last 12 months) : Absence seizure (Petit mal) Atonic seizure Clonic seizure Myoclonic seizure Tonic seizure Tonic-clonic seizure (Grand mal) primary or secondary |
Less than 2 years More than 2 years |
2 year award 5 year award |
| Note: In cases of epilepsy resulting from underlying brain damage / trauma or long-standing (i.e. of 5 or more years duration) poorly controlled epilepsy, needs are unlikely to reduce despite medication and an Indefinite award is recommended. | ||
|
Partial seizure (without status epilepticus in last 12 months) -: Complex partial seizure Complex partial seizure evolving to generalised tonic-clonic seizure Simple partial seizure |
Less than 2 years More than 2 years |
2 year award 5 year award |
| Note: In cases of epilepsy resulting from underlying brain damage / trauma or long-standing (i.e. of 5 or more years duration) poorly controlled epilepsy, needs are unlikely to reduce despite medication and an Indefinite award is recommended. | ||
|
Non epileptic attack disorder (pseudoseizure) |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Seizure (Epilepsy) - unclassified |
Less than 2 years More than 2 years |
2 year award 5 year award |
| Note: In cases of epilepsy resulting from underlying brain damage / trauma or long-standing (i.e. of 5 or more years duration) poorly controlled epilepsy, needs are unlikely to reduce despite medication and an Indefinite award is recommended. | ||
All information must be taken into account when considering the duration of disabling effects, and the duration of disabling effects must be based on the particular circumstances of the individual claiman
- Living with epilepsy
- Nocturnal seizures
- Non-epileptic seizures
- Status epilepticus and serial epilepsy
Amended April 2011
