Early diagnosis and monitoring can make all the difference for patients with TSC-associated seizures
Epilepsy impacts most patients with TSC, and may often have devastating consequences1-4
Epilepsy affects 70% to 90% of patients with TSC. After just one seizure, patients with TSC have a nearly 100% chance of developing recurring seizures1-3
A greater likelihood of developmental disabilities is correlated with epileptic spasms, a history of seizures, greater seizure frequency, earlier seizure onset, and pharmacoresistant epilepsy3,5
Approximately 90% of patients with TSC are affected by TSC-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TAND), which may include behavioral difficulties, psychiatric disorders, and variations in intellectual ability6,7
With multiple neurological and clinically observable symptoms, such as refractory epilepsy, a diagnosis of TSC can start in your office8
Many patients with TSC present early with neurological signs and symptoms, including refractory epilepsy. Guidelines recommend that parents should be educated to recognize TSC-associated seizures, which can be highly variable3,9-12
Initial events may often begin as subtle EEG changes or seizures, which may easily be overlooked by parents2,13,14 |
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Patients will likely progress to more than one seizure type, including12,16:
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Experts recommend obtaining a baseline EEG and monitoring in all patients with a TSC diagnosis, even in the absence of recognized or reported clinical seizures11,14
Diagnosing TSC is achievable through several observable diagnostic criteria8
A definite diagnosis of TSC requires 2 major features or 1 major feature with 2 minor features.
A possible diagnosis of TSC may be made with either 1 major feature or ≥2 minor features.
Central nervous system
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Eyes
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Renal
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Skin
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Heart
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Lungs
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*A combination of the LAM and angiomyolipomas without other features does not meet criteria for a definite diagnosis.
Skin and teeth
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Eyes
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Renal
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Endocrine
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Skeletal
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Consider confirming a TSC diagnosis through genetic testing identifying a TSC1 or TSC2 pathogenic mutation8
Treatment considerations for TSC-associated seizures
Despite trial of multiple AEDs, many patients with TSC may continue to experience refractory seizures12,17
After one AED, 64% of patients will eventually initiate 3 or more AEDs in search of seizure reductions—and 35% try 5 or more for their TSC-associated epilepsy17
More than 1 in 3 patients who have surgery for their epilepsy will undergo multiple procedures17
In a large TSC study,
partial-onset seizures remained uncontrolled in
38% of patients12
Have your patients with TSC been waiting for a different kind of option for their TSC-associated seizures?