The Role of Neurologists in the Management of Uncontrolled Epilepsy in Spain: Opportunities for Optimization.

Abstract

Epilepsy is a major societal burden with a significant impact on patients' health and quality of life. The primary goal in epilepsy management is to achieve freedom from all types of seizures. Early treatment with antiseizure medications plays a crucial role in this regard, preventing seizure recurrence, limiting disease progression and comorbidities, and improving both prognosis and quality of life. However, initial treatment is typically managed by non-epilepsy specialists, and there are considerable gaps in care that need to be addressed. In order to support non-epilepsy experts in the initial management of uncontrolled epilepsy, we report here on the most significant challenges and obstacles encountered by non-epilepsy specialists in their daily clinical routine, based on literature evidence and outcomes from our recent survey of Spanish neurologists, and provide recommendations to improve patient care.