No CrossRef data available.
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 10 July 2025
Background: Autonomic nervous system (ANS) dysfunction in people with epilepsy (PwE) is a likely contributor to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). However, the nature of autonomic dysfunction among PwE remains poorly understood. We aimed to delineate self-reported ANS functioning among people with drug-resistant epilepsy, a patient group at increased risk for SUDEP. Methods: People with focal drug-resistant epilepsy undergoing stereoelectroencephalography at the Epilepsy Monitoring Unit in London, Ontario completed the Composite Autonomic Symptom Score (COMPASS-31), a widely used questionnaire for ANS function. Results: The mean total COMPASS-31 score (N=34; 13 females) was 27.36 (SD=13.77). There was no significant correlation between total COMPASS-31 score and current age (mean=32.71 years, SD=10.58; r(32)= -0.04) or age of epilepsy onset (mean=17.31 years, SD=8.26; r(30)=0). Females scored higher than males (t(32)=3.41, p<.05), but scores did not differ between participants with an epileptogenic zone in the temporal lobe(s) (N=20) and participants with multi-focal, extra-temporal or unknown epileptogenic zones (t(32)=0.18). Participants prescribed 2-3 sodium channel blocking anti-seizure medications (cardiotoxic; N=17), scored worse than participants on 0-1 sodium channel blockers (N=17) (t(32)= -2.15, p<.05). Conclusions: Autonomic testing should be a standard component of clinical care for people with drug-resistant epilepsy, especially for females and for those on sodium channel blockers.