Epilepsy Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic precipitated profound challenges in the management of epilepsy, disrupting routine care pathways and exposing vulnerabilities in healthcare systems worldwide. Lockdown measures and redeployment of medical resources led to postponement of outpatient appointments, restricted access to diagnostic tools and delays in elective surgery, while supply chain interruptions threatened the availability of anti-seizure medications. In parallel, anxiety, sleep disturbance and social isolation emerged as potent seizure precipitants, contributing to reports of increased seizure frequency in a subset of patients. To maintain continuity, many centres rapidly expanded telemedicine services, enabling remote consultations, prescription renewals and psychosocial support. Adaptations also encompassed modifications to dietary therapies, such as home initiation of ketogenic diets, and triage protocols for urgent monitoring. Vaccination rollout further introduced concerns regarding seizure stability and immunisation hesitancy, underscoring the need for clear guidance on vaccine safety in people with epilepsy. Collectively, these experiences highlight the imperative for resilient, patient-centred care models that integrate digital health, mental health screening and flexible resource allocation to safeguard outcomes during public health crises.

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Epilepsy Management During the COVID-19 Pandemic publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in epilepsy management during the covid-19 pandemic across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

Anti-seizure medication (ASM): Pharmacological agents prescribed to prevent or reduce the frequency and severity of epileptic seizures.

Telemedicine: Delivery of healthcare services and consultations at a distance using telecommunications technology, including video and telephone.

Electroencephalography (EEG): Non-invasive recording of electrical activity along the scalp, used to diagnose and monitor seizure disorders.

Ketogenic diet: A high-fat, low-carbohydrate nutritional regimen that induces ketosis and can reduce seizure frequency in refractory epilepsy.

References

1. Epilepsy Care in the Time of COVID-19 Pandemic in Italy: Risk Factors for Seizure Worsening. Frontiers in Neurology (2020).
2. The Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on People With Epilepsy. An Italian Survey and a Global Perspective. Frontiers in Neurology (2020).
3. Care Delivery for Children With Epilepsy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: An International Survey of Clinicians. Journal of Child Neurology (2020).
4. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on physical and mental health status and care of adults with epilepsy in Germany. Neurological Research and Practice (2022).