Knowledge, attitudes and practices of psychiatrists in India regarding sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) and seizure-related harm

Sudden unexpected death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) is one of the leading causes of death in people with epilepsy (PWE). Awareness and taking adequate preventive measures are pivotal to reducing SUDEP. Nearly 80% of PWE live in lower-middle-income countries (LMICs) such as India where for many, epilepsy management is by psychiatrists.

To evaluate the knowledge, attitude and practices of Indian psychiatrists on SUDEP and seizure risk.

A cross-sectional online survey of 12 Likert response questions using validated themes, was circulated among Indian Psychiatric Society members. Non-discriminatory exponential snowballing technique leading to convenience non-probability sampling was used. The inquiry involved SUDEP-related topics including the need for and importance of counselling. Descriptive statistics and the chi-square test were used for analysis.

The psychiatrists responding (n = 134) were likely to be males (72.4 %), urban (94 %) and affiliated to academic institutions (76.1 %). Nearly all saw PWE monthly with over half (54 %) seeing more than 10. Nearly two-third (64.17 %) did not counsel PWE regarding SUDEP, due to fear of raising concerns in caregivers/family (33.3 %), patients (38.9 %) or lack of time (35.6 %), though 37 % had lost patients due to SUDEP. Over two-third (66.7 %) agreed risk counselling was important. Barriers included fear of raising concerns, limited time, and training. A strong need for national SUDEP guidelines (89 %) and suitable training (75.4 %) was expressed.

Though epilepsy care is provided by a considerable number of psychiatrists, there is a poor understanding of SUDEP. Enhancing the awareness and understanding of SUDEP is likely to enhance epilepsy care.