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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 24 June 2022
Background: Pooled mortality has been observed to be almost threefold among people with epilepsy (PWE). Among PWE, epilepsy related deaths (including sudden death in epilepsy (SUDEP)), are commoner than other causes. Among these, around 16-36% are SUDEP, of which 80% events occur during sleep. SUDEP risk is most measured using the SUDEP Risk Inventory. To prevent SUDEP and reduce epilepsy related mortality, we need a better understanding, not only of the components of this screening inventory, but also additional clinical and neurophysiologic parameters that might be commoner among PWE and potentially associated with higher mortality risk. Methods: Patients diagnosed with active epilepsy over the last 3 years will form the study population, categorized into two groups: PWE with a comorbid sleep disorder, and PWE without diagnosis of a sleep disorder. Descriptive statistics will be used to report clinic and neurophysiologic characteristics of subjects enrolled. Results: We hypothesize that there is a significantly increased prevalence of sleep comorbidity among people with epilepsy compared to the general population. Poorer sleep quality could potentially have an association with higher mortality risk among epilepsy patients, Conclusions: We hope to identify and to add sleep factors such as primary sleep disorders and sleep disturbances to already established SUDEP-7 parameters.