Epileptics are more likely to die of unnatural causes ranging from suicide and fatal accidents to overdoses, a study has found.

Sufferers of the common condition, which can lead to terrifying seizures and a loss of consciousness, were twice as likely to die by suicide.

And they were five times more likely to die from accidental medication poisoning, a team of British researchers have discovered.

The findings have prompted calls for doctors to monitor patients with epilepsy for any suicidal thoughts.

Epilepsy strikes 600,000 people in the UK and closer to three million in the US, according to figures.

Sufferers of the common condition, which can lead to terrifying seizures and a loss of consciousness, were twice as likely to kill themselves

Manchester and Swansea University researchers studied data on nearly 60,000 epileptic patients across England and Wales.

They were then compared with data on around 1.17 million people who didn't have the condition. Results were published in the JAMA Neurology.

The overall rate of dying naturally was between 0.3 and 0.5 per cent for epileptics, the researchers uncovered.

However, they admitted this was low in absolute terms - but remained higher than people without the condition.

Epileptics were also around three times more likely to die accidentally, the team of scientists led by Dr Hayley Gorton discovered.

And they were three-and-a-half times more likely to die by intentional medication poisoning.

Dr Gorton said: 'We already know that people with epilepsy are at increased risk of dying prematurely.

'But such a detailed examination of specific types of unnatural death has not been carried out until now.

CAN EPILEPSY DRUGS LEAD TO DEMENTIA? Epilepsy medications increase people's risk of dementia by up to 60 per cent, new research suggests. Even occasional anti-epilepsy drug (AEDs) use, which are also often prescribed for bipolar and anxiety disorders, significantly raises people's risk of a decline in their memories or thinking skills, a Finnish study found. AEDs are thought to increase patients' risk of dementia by altering communication between chemical messengers, which may accelerate cognitive decline, according to the researchers. The risk is highest among AEDs such as sodium valproate, which controls electrical functions in the brain to prevent life-threatening seizures, with Epilim typically being a go-to brand in the UK and Ireland. Advertisement

'However, the direct causes of these increased mortality risks are not yet fully understood.

'And though the paper identifies an association between mortality and epilepsy, we cannot say for certain what causal mechanisms are implicated.'

Dr Gorton explained opioids and drugs for mental illness were most commonly taken in fatal poisonings among people with and without epilepsy.

But fatal overdoses involving anti-epileptic drugs were comparatively rare.

Anti-epileptic drugs were involved in about 10 per cent of poisoning deaths among people with epilepsy.

Dr Gorton said: 'The reasons for the increased risk of unintended death may include the direct consequences of seizures or may be unassociated with epilepsy.

'The mental illness comorbidities associated with epilepsy are also associated with increased risk of unintentional injury and poisoning and suicide.'

She added that the findings backed-up their analysis of the data that found mental health diagnoses were more common in epileptics.

'Clinicians should explore any symptoms of mental illness in people with epilepsy and ask about suicidal thoughts,' Dr Gorton continued.

'In addition, the psychosocial impact and stigma surrounding epilepsy may contribute to the increased risk of unnatural death.

'It is possible that the stigma or presence of comorbid mental illness explains much of the three-fold increase in homicide risk that we observed.'

Dr Gorton said: 'Because of these risks, it's important that people with epilepsy are adequately warned so they can take measures to prevent accidents.

'We urge clinicians to advise their patients about unintentional injury prevention and monitor them for suicidal thoughts and behaviour.

'We would also advise doctors to assess suitability and toxicity of medication when prescribing medicines for other associated conditions to these individuals.'

Philip Lee, chief executive of Epilepsy Action, said: 'This new report urgently highlights the ever-present risks for many people living with epilepsy.

'This is an important study which prompts the need for more research into why people with epilepsy in particular are so at risk.'

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