Epilepsy and risk of sudden death. Patients with epileptic seizures are also at increased risk of sudden death. Dr. Anton Titov, MD. It is called Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy. Dr. Tracey Milligan, MD. Abbreviation is SUDEP. What is the risk of sudden death in patients with epilepsy? Dr. Anton Titov, MD. What explains risks of sudden death in epilepsy? How to decrease the risk of sudden death in epilepsy? Dr. Tracey Milligan, MD. Yes. SUDEP. Sudden unexplained death in epilepsy is very important for patients with epilepsy to be aware of. The risk of SUDEP is low. The risk in children is about 1 in 4,500 per year. The risk in adults is 1 in 1,000 per year. We could say in adults 999 do not have any SUDEP. But it is important to be aware of sudden death in epilepsy. Dr. Tracey Milligan, MD. Because there are things that we can do to decrease the risk of SUDEP. The risk of sudden death in epilepsy is three times higher in patients with uncontrolled grand mal epileptic seizures. Dr. Anton Titov, MD. These patients have uncontrolled generalized tonic-clonic epileptic seizures. Patients with uncontrolled epileptic seizures have a higher risk of sudden death in epilepsy. It is important that they seek expert care. We also know that patients, who sleep alone, have a higher risk of SUDEP. It is probably because of the following problem. They have a generalized tonic-clonic epileptic seizure in bed. Dr. Tracey Milligan, MD. There may be somebody in the same room with the patient during the night. A relative or a spouse could monitor the patient with epilepsy. Problems can come to their attention more quickly. There are some strategies that we can use to help decrease the risk of sudden death in epilepsy. Dr. Anton Titov, MD. Sudden death in epilepsy is important. SUDEP. But SUDEP is not the only increased cause of death for patients with epilepsy. Dr. Tracey Milligan, MD. There are other risks that patients have to be aware of. It is the risk of depression in epilepsy. People with epilepsy have a higher risk of depression. The reverse is also true. Dr. Anton Titov, MD. Patients with depression have a higher risk of developing epilepsy. For example, a patient may have been depressed and attempted to commit suicide. That patient has a five times higher risk of developing epilepsy in their lifetime. The risk of depression exists especially when patients are newly diagnosed with epilepsy. Dr. Tracey Milligan, MD. The risk of suicide exists especially when patients are newly diagnosed with epilepsy. It is important to recognize these risks. We must think about preventing SUDEP. We must think about preventing and treating depression. Dr. Tracey Milligan, MD. We can help prevent injuries from epilepsy too. We do this through education of the patient with epilepsy, and their friends and family. Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy [SUDEP] is a dreaded complication of seizures. Leading epilepsy diagnosis and treatment expert explains myths and facts of SUDEP.