Abstract
Objective: To increase the use of evidence-based approaches in the diagnosis, investigations and treatment of Convulsive Status Epilepticus (CSE) in children in relevant care settings.
Method: A Clinical Practice Guideline (CPG) adaptation group was formulated at a university hospital in Riyadh. The group utilized 2 CPG validated tools including the ADAPTE method and the AGREE II instrument.
Results: The group adapted 3 main categories of recommendations from one Source CPG. The recommendations cover; (i)first-line treatment of CSE in the community; (ii)treatment of CSE in the hospital; and (iii)refractory CSE. Implementation tools were built to enhance knowledge translation of these recommendations including a clinical algorithm, audit criteria, and a computerized provider order entry.
Conclusion: A clinical practice guideline for the Saudi healthcare context was formulated using a guideline adaptation process to support relevant clinicians managing CSE in children.
Status epilepticus (SE) is a common and serious neurological problem in children, particularly those under 2 years of age. It is a life-threatening condition needing early recognition and intervention to prevent significant neurological sequelae. Formerly, SE was defined as a seizure lasting longer than 30 minutes or 2 or more seizures within 30 minutes, without a return to the baseline consciousness level between seizures. Recently, the definition has evolved to be convulsive seizure activity longer than 5 minutes or two or more seizures, without a return to consciousness between seizures.1,2 The incidence of SE globally is 10-58 patients per year per 100,000 population; the frequency is estimated to be 50 per year per 100,000 population, and the mortality rate to be 2.7-22%.3-5 Although there are no data on the prevalence of SE in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), SE in children has been identified as a high priority health topic at the King Saud University Medical City (KSUMC) based on hospital records.
Successful provision of evidence-based healthcare for patients requires accessible and trustworthy evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) at the points of care.6 Currently, there are no published CPGs for SE in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, the current CPG has been suggested to be an initial, national CPG for the management of convulsive SE (CSE) in children. Members of the Saudi Pediatric Society, Saudi Pediatric Neurology Society, Saudi Epilepsy Society and the Gulf League Against Epilepsy formed a committee to review and endorse this CPG. This guideline is expected to improve the quality and safety of care for children with CSE in Saudi Arabia.
Extensive research has been conducted over the last 30 years for improving methodologies that support the synthesis of quality and trustworthy CPGs.7 The ADAPTE methodology for trans-contextual adaptation of CPGs has emerged as a structured, scientific, rigorous, and practical alternative to de novo development.8-10 The ADAPTE collaboration merged into the Guidelines International Network in 2009 to establish its adaptation working group, and made this version of the ADAPTE freely available on its website.11,12 This CPG adaptation project was a part of ‘The CPG adaptation program’ initiative at King Saud University. It was a collaborative endeavor between the Department of Pediatrics CPG committee and Quality Team, CPG Steering committee, Quality Management Department, and Research Chair for Evidence-Based Health Care and Knowledge Translation (CEBHC-KT).13-15
Methods
We present a case illustration of the CPG adaptation process for management of CSE in Saudi Arabia. The Guideline adaptation group (GAG) utilized 2 CPG validated tools: the ADAPTE methodology (version 2.0), with some modifications and the AGREE II instrument.9,12,16 The ADAPTE consists of 3 phases.
Phase 1 (Set Up) included the selection of a high priority health topic and the formation of the GAG team. Phase 2 (Adaptation) consisted of defining clinical questions (PIPOH), identifying inclusion /exclusion criteria to search and screen source CPGs, appraising retrieved CPGs by the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation Instrument II (AGREE-II), and selecting from the appraised CPGs to be drafted into the finalized, adapted CPG. The AGREE-II is a validated assessment tool for the quality of CPGs, The AGREE-II includes 6 domains, namely (i) scope and purpose, (ii) stakeholder involvement, (iii) rigor of development, (iv) clarity and presentation, (v) applicability, and (vi) editorial independence.16 Phase 3 (Finalization) included external review of the clinical content and methodology of the adapted CPG, planning for future reviews and updates, and final production of the adapted CPG with implementation tools.
The GAG also used 3 modified and 3 new tools from the ‘Adapted ADAPTE’ CPG methods. This project was a collaborative work between clinical experts and CPG methodologists.9,17
Results
This work marks the first CPG adaptation project for the management of CSE in children using the modified ADAPTE methodology in Saudi Arabia, an initiative from the Pediatric Neurology Unit, Department of Pediatrics at King Saud University, College of Medicine, and KSUMC.9,12
Set up phase
The GAG was formulated in January 2013 to include three consultants, one senior registrar of pediatrics and pediatric neurology, one CPG methodologist-general pediatrician, one clinical pharmacist, supportive staff from the Department of Pediatrics’ CPG committee, a Quality Team, and the KSUMC CPG Steering Committee (Step #2). CSE was selected as a high priority topic for CPG adaptation due to the variation of practice and lack of national evidence-based CPGs. Furthermore, children with seizures were identified as among the most common categories of pediatric patient admissions in the medical city (Step #3). The GAG was aware of the relevant published CPGs and decided that the CPG adaptation was feasible (Step #1). The overall adaptation-working plan was agreed upon by the GAG (Step #6).
Adaptation phase
The following Health questions were documented using the PIPOH model (Step #7): patient population (P); children, between 1 month and 14 years of age, with prolonged seizures; intervention (I); diagnosis and treatment; and professionals (P) such as physicians, nurses, and clinical pharmacists in the departments/specialties of pediatrics, pediatric emergency, pediatric intensive care unit (PICU), pharmacy, laboratory, and nursing. Major outcomes considered (O) were seizure control, and decreased morbidity and mortality. Healthcare setting (H) included primary, secondary, and tertiary settings in all sectors (especially pediatric inpatient wards, PICU, and emergency services).
Four main databases were searched: National Guideline Clearinghouse (NGC), Guidelines International Network (G-I-N), EBSCO DynaMed, and PubMed. Keywords used for the search were SE in children, Childhood Convulsive Status Epilepticus, and CSE (Step #8). Fifteen source CPGs were initially retrieved, and then screened using the identified PIPOH and additional inclusion/exclusion selection criteria.
The selection criteria included (i) CPGs that were evidence-based, with a detailed development methodology section or document, (ii) CPGs written in the English language, (iii) original Source CPGs, not adapted ones, (iv) CPGs that had group (organizational) rather than single authorship, and (v) CPGs that were published nationally and/or internationally between 2009 and 2013 (Steps #9 and #10). Twelve source CPGs were excluded, and three were retained for further appraisal by 2 independent appraisers (YSA, SM) using the AGREE-II instrument (Step #11) (Table 1). The three source CPGs selected were the Neurocritical Care Society guideline on evaluation and management of SE (NCS-2012),18 Texas Children’s Hospital Evidence-Based Outcomes Center: Initial Management of Seizures SE Clinical Guideline (Texas-2009) that was made available through the ‘Section on Emergency Medicine, American Academy of Pediatrics’,19 and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence guideline on diagnosis and management of epilepsies in adults and children in primary and secondary care (NICE-2012).20,21 The contents of the CPGs were also compared using the free-online-tool ‘Compare Guidelines’ from the NGC.
Critical appraisal of the Source CPGs by the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research & Evaluation II (AGREE II) Instrument.
The GAG decided to exclude NCS-2012 and Texas-2009, and include the NICE-2012 for adoption of all the recommendations related to; (i) first-line treatment of children with prolonged or repeated generalized and CSE in the community; (ii) treatment of children with CSE in the hospital; and (iii) refractory CSE. This decision was based on the compliance of the selected NICE-CPG to the AGREE-II criteria especially domain #3 (rigor of development=98%). Furthermore, the assessment of currency at the time of this study revealed that the NICE-CPG had the most updated evidence-base (the latest evidence update for the NICE-CPG was February 2014 and the latest update for the web-based NICE-CG137 guidance, as a whole, was February 2016) (Steps #12, #16-#18) (Table 2, Figure 1).22
Key Recommendations of the adapted CPG for management of Convulsive Status Epilepticus (CSE) in children.
- Clinical algorithm for treatment of CSE in children.
Finalization Phase
The adapted CPG was finalized and peer reviewed for clinical content by all relevant stakeholders, including 4 consultants of pediatric neurology, 2 consultants of pediatric emergency medicine, one clinical pharmacist, one consultant of pediatric critical care, and one consultant of laboratory medicine/microbiology. The adaptation process methodology was reviewed by 5 members of the CPGs Steering Committee. After the external review step (Step #19), a final version of the adapted CPG was produced and approved in April 2015. A plan for the update was agreed upon by the GAG (Steps #19-#24).
Multiple implementation tools were designed from Source CPGs and other resources, including NICE. The 4 new implementation tools included (i) a clinical algorithm (Figure 1), (ii) a medication table (Table 3), (iii) an audit criteria data collection sheet (Table 4), and (iv) incorporation of the hospital information system (HIS) and electronic medical records (EMR) system as a computerized provider order entry (CPOE), with order set. The patient educational material was planned to be translated into Arabic in collaboration with the Health Education Center.
Drugs used for management of Convulsive Status Epilepticus (CSE) in Children.
Audit data collection tool to monitor implementation of the CPG for management of CSE in children.
Permission to use the NICE-CPGs in our CPG adaptation projects was obtained. National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) responded that there was no objection to our request, in principle, and the organization would be happy for the King Saud University Hospitals to adapt content from the NICE-CPGs for use in Saudi Arabia given certain specifications, including proper acknowledgments and citation. This CPG adaptation project was connected to other hospital-wide projects including (i) hospital accreditation, (ii) evidence-based practice education and training for physicians, nurses, and pharmacists, (iii) patient safety, and (iv) performance management. The recommendations were disseminated locally and nationally through educational sessions, oral presentations, discussions, and outreach visits in collaboration with the relevant national scientific specialized societies. As part of the dissemination phase, the adapted CPG was critically reviewed and endorsed by the Saudi Pediatric Association, Saudi Epilepsy Society, Saudi Pediatric Neurology Society, and Gulf League Against Epilepsy.
Discussion
Although CSE is a common and life-threatening emergency condition, specific CPGs for the management of CSE are not widely available. Convulsive Status Epilepticus is defined as a convulsive seizure lasting longer than 5 minutes, or 2 or more seizures without a return of consciousness between seizures.1,2
The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Task Force on the Classification of SE, recently defined SE as a condition resulting from either a failure of the seizure termination mechanisms or a failure of the initiation mechanisms, both which would lead to abnormally prolonged seizures (after time point t1). It is a condition that can have long-term consequences (after time point t2), including neuronal death and injury, and alteration of neuronal networks, depending on the type and duration of the seizure. This definition identified two main time points (t1 and t2). The first time point (t1) is the length of the seizure (t1); it represents ‘continuous seizure activity’ and identifies the time when treatment should be started. The second time point (t2) is the time of ongoing seizure activity beyond which there is a risk of long-term sequelae or consequences. Identification of t2 highlights the importance of SE prevention. In CSE, the identification of both time points (5 and 30 minutes for t1 and t2, respectively) was based on incomplete evidence. The ILAE also described SE to be “not a disease entity but rather a symptom with a myriad of etiologies”.23
The quality assessment of the 3 selected source CPGs revealed overall superior scores in the AGREE-II domains for the NICE-CPG, and the reviewers recommended to use it, with some modifications, to support implementability and provide relevant local context. These modifications included the four new implementation tools that were based on the NICE-CPG recommendations.
The CPG Steering Committee proposed cut-off points for the AGREE domain scores to facilitate the overall assessment, discussion, and decision process for the GAG. They identified weak scores (<40%), moderate scores (≥41-70%), and strong scores (≥71%). The scope and purpose (domain #1) received strong scores in all CPGs, with the NICE-CPG scoring the highest (100%). The highest quality of multidisciplinary stakeholder involvement (domain #2) was found in the NICE-CPG (100%), with moderate scores observed in the other CPGs. The highest score for rigour of development (domain #3) was obtained by NICE (98%), as it relied on a strong development methodology that is documented in detail in the NICE-CPG manual.33 The other CPGs scored moderately on this measure. All Source CPGs obtained strong scores for clarity and presentation (domain #4), with the Texas-CPG receiving the highest score (100%). Applicability (domain #5) scored the highest in the NICE-CPG (85%), as NICE contained 14 different categories of CPG implementation tools, including NICE pathway, quality standards, baseline assessment, clinical audit, slide set, eLearning modules, commissioning guide, tailored education support, shared learning, costing statement, case scenario, ‘do not do’ recommendations, guidance into practice, and research recommendations. The GAG decided to retain some implementation tools, as well as develop new ones, for the adapted CPG. The Texas-CPG scored moderately in applicability (48%), whereas both NCS-CPG and AES-CPG scored as weak (<40%). Editorial independence (domain #6) scored the highest in the NICE-CPG (88%) and moderate in the Texas-CPG (50%). At the time of the writing of this publication, a CPG was published by the American Epilepsy Society (AES-2016) and has received great attention from both adult and pediatric neurologists.22 We decided to assess its quality and to add it to the set of the three source AGREE II-assessed CPGs. It was appraised by 2 independent appraisers (YA, MH) (Table 1) (Step #11). The review and discussion of the AGREE II domain scores for this fourth Source CPG did not result in changing the final decision of the GAG since the NICE-CPG remained superior in most domains, particularly the rigour of development (methodology) and applicability domains. The AES did not propose any significant changes to the NICE-CPG’s recommendations.22 The lifecycle of this CPG adaptation project from launch to official approval was 27 months. Challenges were faced by the GAG during the adaptation process. Lessons learned from our experience may be useful to other healthcare organizations that are interested in using the ADAPTE methodology for adaptation of CPGs for CSE.
From the initial launching of this project, this CPG project was supported and promoted by the Head of the Pediatric Neurology Unit, Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics, Head of the Department Quality team, Chairperson of the CPG Departmental Committee, Chairperson of the Medical City-Wide CPG Steering Committee, Director and staff of the Quality Management Department, Director of the Hospital IT Department, and CEBHC-KT. This highlights the importance and impact of leadership commitment in CPG adaptation projects. The KSUMC organizational support throughout this CPG project was in the form of methodological, logistic, and technical consultancy rather than direct financial support. This project was not supported or funded by any industrial or pharmaceutical company.
There was an overall limited protected time for the clinical experts and methodologists involved in either the adaptation or the review of this CPG. This contributed to the prolonged duration of the project. We recommend optimizing the protected time and commissioning the contributors of the CPG adaptation projects to encourage completion of the tasks in a timely manner.
The Source CPG from NICE was originally prepared for the National Health Service in England and Wales, rather than Saudi Arabia. Nevertheless, the multidisciplinary collaborative groups for this CPG adaptation project have not identified nor anticipated any major expected barriers for implementation of the NICE recommendations, mainly including pharmacological therapy using Anti-epileptic drugs (AEDs) in the Saudi Arabian healthcare setting. Furthermore, the KSA is classified, like the UK, as a ‘high-income country’, according to the updated World Bank list of economies. This similarity in economic health reflection was taken into consideration during the trans-contextual adaptation process.24
This type of CPG adaptation project has multi-faceted purposes for healthcare providers and organizations. It can be utilized simultaneously for healthcare quality improvement, a research platform, continuous professional development, and an evidence-based practice project. It forms a win-win paradigm for all stakeholders, including clinicians, healthcare providers, methodologists, policy makers, and ultimately for patients, who are at the center of care.
Implications for practice
Apart from CPG adaptation, the AGREE-II as a standalone instrument can be used by general pediatricians and pediatric neurologists to critically appraise any CPG. The adapted CSE-CPG can support performance improvement, help general pediatricians and pediatric neurologists to make informed, evidence-based clinical decisions, decrease variation in practice, and avoid non-indicated investigations or treatments for infants and children with CSE. The 4 implementation tools reported can be adopted and used by any child healthcare provider and/or facility in KSA except for the in-house developed CPOE with order set. The CPOE will need to be rebuilt and/or customized according to the functionalities of the local HIS/EMR.
Management of CSE in children. Prehospital management
Early treatment for CSE is associated with cessation of the convulsion and an improved outcome; treatment should start prehospital, at home or in the community, with the administration of buccal midazolam or rectal diazepam. Prehospital management is associated with a shorter SE duration.25 Buccal midazolam is as effective as rectal diazepam in terminating the acute attack of the seizure.26,27 Discussing administration of these medications with the parents of any child with epilepsy is crucial. Prehospital medications, should be made available for use in the ambulance and emergency care services, and be prescribed for children who have a history of frequent seizures. Paramedical personnel should also be trained to administer these medications.
In hospital management
SE is a life-threatening neurological emergency requiring urgent intervention. The successful management of CSE in hospital depends on the rapid use of adequate doses of AEDs.28 Failure of early intervention has been associated with increased need for intensive care admission and serious complications.29
All efforts should be directed towards stabilization of the patient and termination of the seizure. These include support of the airway, breathing, and circulation, providing proper positioning of the patient and high flow oxygen, and measuring blood glucose. Intravenous (IV) access should be established immediately. Benzodiazepines remain the drug of choice as a first line therapy, having a high strength of evidence;18,20,22 IV lorazepam and diazepam are effective initial medications.30,31 A recent randomized control trial did not support the preferential use of lorazepam over diazepam.32 Buccal or intramuscular midazolam, or rectal diazepam can be used if the IV line cannot be established rapidly. Continuous monitoring is required as the use of benzodiazepines may result in hypotension and respiratory depression. If a seizure continues 5-10 minutes from the initial dose, then a second dose can be administered.
Second-line therapy
Evidence-based recommendations for second-line therapy for CSE do not currently exist. Phenytoin, fosphenytoin, phenobarbital, valproic acid, levetiracetam, and recently lacosamide, are frequently prescribed for the treatments of CSE.33 Although fosphenytoin has greater tolerability than phenytoin, the availability and cost of fosphenytoin in KSA precludes its recommendation in this CPG. The NICE-CPG recommends the use of either phenytoin or phenobarbitone as second-line therapy; the AES-CPG also recommends phenobarbitone if phenytoin, valproic acid, or levetiracetam are not available.21 Valproic acid is as effective as phenytoin in aborting CSE.34 While recognizing the side effects of valproic acid, especially in children less than two years of age due to hepatotoxicity, and a major concern in children with inborn errors of metabolism, particularly those with mitochondrial disorder,34 valproic acid is still considered as one of the alternative therapies. Levetiracetam is a promising drug in aborting CSE with an efficacy of 68.5%.35 However, there are no head-to-head studies comparing levetiracetam to other AEDs.
Refractory CSE
Refractory status epilepticus (RSE) occurs when a seizure fails to respond to both first and second line therapy. Treatment options include midazolam infusion, sodium thiopental, or pentobarbital.18,20,28 Treatment of RSE requires intubation and admission to the PICU.
Future directions
Due to lack of evidence in the treatment of CSE, many clinical trials are ongoing. Emergency Treatment with Levetiracetam or Phenytoin in status epilepticus in Children (EcLiPSE) is an open-label randomized multicenter control trial in UK comparing the efficacy of levetiracetam and phenytoin in children who fail to respond to the first line treatment (Benzodiazepine). The Established Status Epilepticus Treatment Trial (ESETT), which compares the efficacy of fosphenytoin, levetiracetam, and valproic acid in benzodiazepine refractory status epilepticus, is currently enrolling patients.38-40 The recently published evidence-based treatment CPGs by the American Epilepsy Society addressed the importance of conducting additional multicenter and multinational, randomized controlled studies to clarify important clinical unresolved questions and improve the evidence.22
In conclusion, the modified ADAPTE methodology for CPG adaptation was useful and practical in promoting evidence-based healthcare, reducing duplicative efforts needed to develop a CPG de novo, and promoting the local uptake of high-quality CPG recommendations without the need for substantial time or resources. An adapted CPG for the Saudi healthcare system was formulated using a CPG adaptation process to support relevant clinicians and healthcare providers during evidence-based healthcare provision for children with convulsive status epilepticus.
Acknowledgment
The authors would like to thank Osman M, Alsultan A, Shaikh F, Baksh M, Alswat K, Al Zamil F, Alsaif F, Al-Muammar A, Villena D, Rivera SM, Abu Al Ghaith S, Alharbi K, Bawazeer W, Alsharif A, Moir I, Al-Omair A for their lasting contributions and support during different stages of this CPG adaptation project.
Footnotes
Disclosure
This project was supported by King Saud University, Deanship of Scientific Research, Research Chair for Evidence-Based Health Care and Knowledge Translation, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
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