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AD M, JP P, A A, JP L, CA H. The influence of demographics and comorbidity on persistence with anti-seizure medication. Seizure 2022; 97:88-93. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2022.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2021] [Revised: 03/28/2022] [Accepted: 03/29/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022] Open
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Chiang KL, Liang CY, Hsieh LP, Chien LN. Analysis of trends and factors determining initial antiseizure medication choice for epilepsy in Taiwan. Seizure 2021; 93:145-153. [PMID: 34768177 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2021.10.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To evaluate the current trends and factors associated with the first anti-seizure medications (ASMs) prescribed for epilepsy in Taiwan. METHODS Data for patients with epilepsy were collected from the National Health Insurance Research Database, a population-based claims database. We selected patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy from 2013 to 2016. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine the factors associated with the selection of newer ASMs for the first prescription. RESULTS A total of 73,891 patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy were eligible for the study, and the annual incidence was approximately 0.79 per 1,000 people. The five ASMs most prescribed for monotherapy were valproic acid, phenytoin, levetiracetam, gabapentin, and oxcarbazepine, accounting for nearly 90% of all ASMs. Valproic acid was the most-prescribed ASM (more than 30%), and levetiracetam has replaced phenytoin as the second choice since 2015. Factors associated with the selection of newer ASMs for the first prescription were patients' year of diagnosis, gender, socioeconomic level, and previous or existing comorbidities and the profiles of the care providers (accreditation level, service volume, geographic location, and degree of urbanization of the surrounding area). CONCLUSION The data indicated that the trends in ASMs first prescribed for patients in Taiwan accorded with most of the international epilepsy treatment guidelines. However, there were some differences between our results and those in developed countries. In addition, we observed a large urban-rural disparity in the administration of ASMs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuo-Liang Chiang
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Kuang-Tien General Hospital, Taichung, Taiwan; Department of Nutrition, Hungkuang University, Taichung, Taiwan
| | - Chun-Yu Liang
- Department of Neurology, Yumin Medical Corporation Yumin Hospital, Nantou County, Taiwan
| | - Liang-Po Hsieh
- Department of Neurology, Cheng-Ching Hospital, Full postal address: No. 966, Sec. 4, Taiwan Blvd., Xitun Dist., Taichung City 407211, Taiwan.
| | - Li-Nien Chien
- School of Health Care Administration, College of Management, Taipei Medical University, Full postal address: No. 250, Wuxing St., Xinyi Dist., Taipei 110301, Taiwan.
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Sagar P, Wawryk O, Vogrin S, Whitham E, Kiley M, Frasca J, Carne R, Seneviratne U, Cook MJ, Lawn N, Nikpour A, D'Souza WJ. Efficacy and tolerability of adjuvant perampanel: an Australian multicenter real-world observational study in refractory focal and generalized epilepsy syndromes. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 119:107935. [PMID: 33930626 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.107935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To explore the efficacy and tolerability of adjuvant perampanel (PER) and their associated risk factors in late add-on drug-resistant epilepsy. METHOD Retrospective multicenter 'real-world' observational study. Consecutively identified patients commenced on PER, with mixed epilepsy syndromes, from nine Australian epilepsy centers. Primary efficacy endpoints were at least 50% reduction in seizure frequency (responders), seizure freedom, and retention at 6 and 12 months, following a 3-month titration period. Tolerability endpoints were cessation of PER for any reason, cessation of PER due to treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAE), or cessation due to inefficacy. Outcomes were assessed for a-priori risk factors associated with efficacy and tolerability. RESULTS Three-hundred and eighty seven adults were identified and followed up for a median of 12.1 months (IQR 7.0-25.2). Focal epilepsy accounted for 79.6% (FE), idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE), 10.3% and developmental epileptic encephalopathy (DEE) 10.1%, of the cohort. All patients had drug-resistant epilepsy, 71.6% had never experienced six months of seizure freedom, and the mean number of antiepileptic medications (AEDs) prior to starting PER was six. At 12 months, with missing cases classified as treatment failure, retention was 40.0%, responder 21.7%, and seizure freedom 9.0%, whereas, using last outcome carried forward (LOCF), responder and seizure freedom rates were 41.3% and 14.7%, respectively. Older age of epilepsy onset was associated with a marginal increase in the likelihood of seizure freedom at 12-month maintenance (OR 1.04, 95% CI 1.02, 1.06). Male sex (adjusted OR [aOR] 2.06 95% CI 1.33, 3.19), lower number of prior AEDs (aOR 0.84, 95% CI 0.74, 0.96) and no previous seizure-free period of at least 6-month duration (aOR 2.04 95% CI 1.21, 3.47) were associated with retention. Perampanel combined with a GABA receptor AED was associated with a lower responder rate at 12 months but reduced cessation of PER. The most common TEAEs were neuropsychiatric (18.86%), followed by dizziness (13.70%), and sleepiness (5.68%). CONCLUSIONS Adjuvant PER treatment, even in late-add on drug-resistant epilepsy is an effective and well-tolerated treatment for drug-resistant epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parveen Sagar
- Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, The University of Melbourne, Australia.
| | - Olivia Wawryk
- Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, The University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Sara Vogrin
- Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, The University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Emma Whitham
- Department of Neurology, Flinders Medical Centre, Australia
| | - Michelle Kiley
- Department of Neurology, Royal Adelaide Hospital, Australia
| | - Joseph Frasca
- Department of Neurology, Flinders Medical Centre, Australia
| | - Ross Carne
- Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, The University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Udaya Seneviratne
- Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, The University of Melbourne, Australia; Department of Neurology, Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mark J Cook
- Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, The University of Melbourne, Australia
| | - Nicholas Lawn
- Western Australian Adult Epilepsy Service, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth, Australia
| | - Armin Nikpour
- Department of Neurosciences, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia; Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Wendyl Jude D'Souza
- Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, The University of Melbourne, Australia
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Asghar MA, Rehman AA, Raza ML, Shafiq Y, Asghar MA. Analysis of treatment adherence and cost among patients with epilepsy: a four-year retrospective cohort study in Pakistan. BMC Health Serv Res 2021; 21:72. [PMID: 33468110 PMCID: PMC7816349 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-021-06085-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2021] [Indexed: 09/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The adherence pattern of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) among patients with epilepsy is relatively lower in the United States and different European countries. However, adherence and cost analysis of AEDs in Asian countries have not been thoroughly studied. Therefore, the present study aimed to analyze the cost and adherence of AEDs and its associated factors in patients followed in Pakistan. METHODS Data from prescriptions collected from patients with epilepsy who have visited the Outpatient Department (OPD) of different tertiary care hospitals at the cosmopolitan city of Karachi, Pakistan from December 2015 to November 2019. The mean follow-up period for each participant was about 22 months. Pairwise comparisons from Cox regression/hazard ratios were used to assess the predictors of adherence. Direct costs of AEDs were calculated and presented as the annual cost of drugs. RESULTS A total of 11,490 patients were included in this study, 51.2 % were male and 48.8 % were female with a mean age of 45.2 ± 15.8 y. Levetiracetam was found as the most prescribing AED in all study participants (32.9 %). Of them, 49.1 % of patients continued their initial recommended treatment. However, 31.3 % of patients have discontinued the therapy, while, 19.6 % were switched to other AED. Adherence with initial treatment was more profound in male (57.4 %) patients, compared to female with a mean age of 44.2 years. Lamotrigine users (60.6 %) showed a higher tendency to retain on initially prescribed drugs. The total cost of epilepsy treatment in the entire study cohort was 153280.5 PKR ($941.9). By applying the Cox regression analysis, it can be observed that the patients with increasing age (OR, 2.04), migraine (OR, 2.21), psychiatric disorders (OR, 4.28), other comorbidities (OR, 1.52) and users of other than top five prescribing AEDs (2.35) were at higher risk of treatment discontinuation. However, levetiracetam (OR, 0.69), valproic acid (OR, 0.52), carbamazepine (OR, 0.81), lamotrigine (OR, 0.80) or lacosamide (OR, 0.65) users have more chances to continue their initial therapy. CONCLUSIONS Similar to western countries, the majority of patients with epilepsy exhibited low adherence with AEDs. Various associated factors for improving adherence were identified in this study.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Arif Asghar
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jinnah Sindh Medical University Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan.
| | - Ahad Abdul Rehman
- Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jinnah Sindh Medical University Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Liaquat Raza
- Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Dewan University, Karachi, Pakistan.,Institute of Neurophysiology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Yousra Shafiq
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Jinnah Sindh Medical University Karachi, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Asif Asghar
- Food and Feed Safety Laboratory, Food and Marine Resources Research Centre, PCSIR Laboratories Complex, Shahrah-e-Salimuzzaman Siddiqui, Off University Road, 75280, Sindh, Pakistan
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Janmohamed M, Lawn N, Spilsbury K, Chan J, Dunne J. Starting a new anti-seizure medication in drug-resistant epilepsy: Add-on or substitute? Epilepsia 2020; 62:228-237. [PMID: 33236785 DOI: 10.1111/epi.16765] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Revised: 11/01/2020] [Accepted: 11/02/2020] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Randomized studies in drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) typically involve addition of a new anti-seizure medication (ASM). However, in clinical practice, if the patient is already taking multiple ASMs, then substitution of one of the current ASMs commonly occurs, despite little evidence supporting this approach. METHODS Longitudinal prospective study of seizure outcome after commencing a previously untried ASM in patients with DRE. Multivariable time-to-event and logistic regression models were used to evaluate outcomes by whether the new ASM was introduced by addition or substitution. RESULTS A total of 816 ASM changes in 436 adult patients with DRE between 2010 and 2018 were analyzed. The new ASM was added on 407 (50.1%) occasions and substituted on 409 (49.9%). Mean patient follow-up was 3.2 years. Substitution was more likely if the new ASM was enzyme-inducing or in patients with a greater number of concurrent ASMs. ASM add-on was more likely if a γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonist was introduced or if the patient had previously trialed a higher number of ASMs. The rate of discontinuation due to lack of tolerability was similar between the add-on and substitution groups. No difference between the add-on and substitution ASM introduction strategies was observed for the primary outcome of ≥50% seizure reduction at 12 months. SIGNIFICANCE Adding or substituting a new ASM in DRE has the same influence on seizure outcomes. The findings confirm that ASM alterations in DRE can be individualized according to concurrent ASM therapy and patient characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mubeen Janmohamed
- WA Adult Epilepsy Service, Perth, WA, Australia.,Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
| | | | - Katrina Spilsbury
- Institute for Health Research, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, WA, Australia
| | | | - John Dunne
- WA Adult Epilepsy Service, Perth, WA, Australia.,School of Medicine, Royal Perth Hospital Unit, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
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Trends in valproate use in patients in Germany between 2009 and 2017. Epilepsy Behav 2019; 92:26-30. [PMID: 30599459 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2018.12.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2018] [Revised: 12/03/2018] [Accepted: 12/05/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to analyze trends in valproate use in patients followed by neurologists and general practitioners in Germany between 2009 and 2017. METHODS This study included all patients aged ≥15 years followed in 2009, 2013, and 2017 in neurological (N = 99) and general (N = 499) practices in Germany. Trends in valproate use were estimated based on the mean number of patients per practice who were prescribed valproate and the proportion of physicians prescribing it. Covariables included gender, age, and physician. This cross-sectional study uses descriptive statistics only. RESULTS In total, 1,298,446 patients were followed in general and neurological practices in 2009, 1,358,160 in 2013, and 1,413,286 in 2017. The mean number of patients aged 15-45 years per practice with at least one valproate prescription decreased in neurological (men: 11.07 versus 9.92; women: 9.27 versus 5.88) and general practices (men: 0.82 versus 0.75; women: 0.60 versus 0.37) between 2009 and 2017. Moreover, the proportion of neurologists prescribing valproate in women between 15 and 45 years of age decreased over time (94% in 2009 versus 86% in 2017), and there was also a substantial decrease in the share of general practitioners prescribing valproate in men (47% versus 41%) and women between 15 and 45 years of age (37% versus 22%). CONCLUSION The proportion of men and women between 15 and 45 years of age receiving valproate decreased in neurological and general practices in Germany between 2009 and 2017.
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Jacob L, Bohlken J, Schmitz B, Kostev K. Incidence of epilepsy and associated factors in elderly patients in Germany. Epilepsy Behav 2019; 90:107-111. [PMID: 30529258 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2018.10.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Revised: 10/23/2018] [Accepted: 10/24/2018] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
AIMS Little is known about the recent epidemiology of epilepsy in the elderly in Germany. Therefore, the goal of this study was to analyze the incidence of epilepsy and associated factors in elderly patients followed in general practices in this country. METHODS The incidence of epilepsy was estimated using data from all patients aged ≥60 years who were followed in 1203 general practices in Germany in 2017 (IQVIA Disease Analyzer database). The association between predefined variables and epilepsy was further studied using a case-control design (n = 4690 matched pairs). Cases were patients aged ≥60 years who had received a first diagnosis of epilepsy in general practices between 2015 and 2017 (index date). Controls without epilepsy were matched (1:1) to cases by age, gender, index year, and physician. RESULTS The incidence of epilepsy was 157 per 100,000 elderly persons. This incidence increased with age (92 per 100,000 persons in patients aged 60-65 years versus 311 in those aged >90 years) and was higher in men (166) than in women (150). The three disorders that had the strongest association with epilepsy were subarachnoid, intracerebral or intracranial hemorrhage (odds ratio [OR] = 3.31), stroke, including transient ischemic attack (OR = 2.32), and mental and behavioral disorders due to use of alcohol (OR = 2.20). In addition, there was a positive association between atypical neuroleptics and epilepsy (OR = 2.40). CONCLUSIONS The incidence of epilepsy was high and increased with age in elderly patients followed in general practices in Germany. Addressing identified risk factors may help reduce the risk of developing epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louis Jacob
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, Montigny-le-Bretonneux 78180, France
| | - Jens Bohlken
- Praxis für Neurologie und Psychiatrie, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bettina Schmitz
- Department of Neurology, Vivantes Humboldt-Klinikum, Berlin, Germany
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