Drees et al developed a simple score which can help to determine if seizures are drug-induced. The authors are from the University of California San Francisco.
Parameters:
(1) previous reports of seizures being associated with the drug
(2) drug present at toxic levels
(3) temporal relation between seizure and drug exposure
(4) alternative explanation
(5) seizure confirmed by other evidence
Parameter |
Finding |
Points |
---|---|---|
previous reports of seizures caused by drug |
no |
0 |
|
yes |
1 |
drug present at toxic levels |
no |
0 |
|
yes |
1 |
temporal relation |
seizure occurred after drug taken |
2 |
|
seizure occurred before drug taken |
-1 |
alternative explanation for seizure |
definite |
-2 |
|
possible |
-1 |
|
unlikely |
1 |
|
none at all |
2 |
seizure confirmed |
no |
0 |
|
yes |
1 |
where:
• Partial points might be assigned for few previous reports, many previous reports, etc.
total score =
= SUM(points for all 5 parameters)
Interpretation:
• minimum score: -3
• maximum score: 7
• The higher the score the more likely that the seizure is drug-induced.
Total Score |
Interpretation |
---|---|
<= 1 |
unlikely drug-related |
2 to 4 |
possibly drug-related |
5 to 6 |
probably drug-related |
7 |
definitely drug-related |
Purpose: To identify a patient who has had a drug-induced seizure using the score of Drees et al.
Specialty: Neurology
Objective: clinical diagnosis, including family history for genetics, adverse effects, complication detection
ICD-10: G40,