Using event descriptions to aid suspected first seizure diagnosis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Using event descriptions to aid suspected first seizure diagnosis
IRAS ID
215284
Contact name
William O Pickrell
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Swansea University
Duration of Study in the UK
2 years, 11 months, 24 days
Research summary
Episodes of transient loss of consciousness or “blackouts” are a relatively common and potentially serious medical problem. Causes of blackouts include simple faints, epileptic seizures and heart problems. It is important to get a timely and accurate diagnosis of the cause of a blackout as there can be important health and lifestyle (e.g. driving and employment) implications for the patient.
There is no definite test for the cause of a blackout and currently health care professionals use a combination of: descriptions from the patient and witnesses, clinical examination and test results to help them get a diagnosis. Although a diagnosis can often be accurately obtained in clinic, sometimes there is uncertainty and occasionally an incorrect diagnosis is made.
Patients who attend blackout clinics (or suspected first seizure clinics) in Swansea and Cardiff are currently asked to complete an event description form (EDF) and bring it to clinic to assist the clinic doctor. The EDF has a space for the patient, and a witness when possible, to describe the events before, during and after their blackout.
The aim of this study is to analyse the content and language used in the EDFs to see if they can help clinicians achieve a more accurate diagnosis.We will recruit adult patients with capacity from blackout clinics at hospitals who have a completed an EDF. We will give patients an information leaflet and obtain informed written consent. We will transcribe the details from the EDF to an anonymous electronic format changing any potentially identifiable information used in the descriptions themselves. We will analyse the content and language used in the event descriptions to see if there is an association with the eventual diagnosis of the events.
REC name
West Midlands - Edgbaston Research Ethics Committee
REC reference
17/WM/0284
Date of REC Opinion
21 Jul 2017
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion