Pharmacology aspects during transition and at transfer in patients with epilepsy

Persistent knowledge gaps between 2005 and 2020 in women with epilepsy: Comparison of multicenter studies from Germany

OBJECTIVE

Epilepsy is a chronic condition that can affect patients of all ages. Women with epilepsy (WWE) require access to specific counseling and information regarding issues related to contraception, pregnancy, and hormonal effects on seizure control and bone mineral density. This study investigated the knowledge among WWE regarding their condition, and whether epilepsy-specific knowledge has improved over the last 15 years.

METHODS

A total of 280 WWE aged 18 to 82 years participated in this multicenter, questionnaire-based study. The study was conducted at four epilepsy centers in Germany, between October 2020 and December 2020. Sociodemographic and epilepsy-specific data for participating women were analyzed and compared with the results of a similar survey performed in 2003-2005 among 365 WWE in Germany.

RESULTS

The questionnaire-based survey revealed considerable knowledge deficits without significant improvements over the last 15 years, particularly among those with less education and with regards to information on the more pronounced effects of epilepsy in older WWE (>50 years), including interactions with menopause and osteoporosis. In WWE ≤29 years, a significant increase in the knowledge score was observed in 2020 compared with this age group in 2005 (mean 7.42 vs. 6.5, p = .036). Mothers frequently reported epilepsy-related concerns regarding childrearing, particularly of seizures scaring their child and the need to rely on other people.

CONCLUSION

WWE continue to demonstrate inadequate epilepsy-related knowledge. Despite increasing information availability and the aspiration toward better awareness among medical professionals, overall knowledge has not increased sufficiently compared with the levels observed in recent studies.

Transition to adult care in epilepsy: A systematic review

The transfer from paediatric to adult care can be a complex process in children with epilepsy. Inadequate care during this phase can affect long-term medical and psychosocial outcomes. The aim of this study was to review studies on transitional care from paediatric to adult healthcare for young persons with epilepsy in order to synthesize evidence for best practice. We undertook a systematic review following PRISMA guidelines and employed narrative synthesis. A total of 36 articles were included, of which 11 were interventional studies and 25 observational studies. Study quality was rated as 'good' for only four studies. Interventions included joint or multidisciplinary clinics, education (patient and health professional education) and extended service provision (Saturday clinics, peer-groups). All studies observed a positive effect experienced by the participants, regardless of intervention type. Observational studies showed that transition plans/programmes are asked for but frequently not existing or not adapted to subgroups with intellectual disability or other neurodevelopmental conditions. The results of this systematic review on transitional care in epilepsy suggest that a planned transition process likely enhances medical and psychosocial outcomes for young people with epilepsy, but the body of evidence is limited and there are significant gaps in knowledge of what efficacious transition constitutes. More studies are needed employing qualitative and quantitative methods to further explore the needs of young people with epilepsy and their families but also robust study designs to investigate the impact of interventions on medical and psychosocial outcomes.

Rare and Complex Epilepsies from Childhood to Adulthood: Requirements for Separate Management or Scope for a Lifespan Holistic Approach?

PURPOSE

In this descriptive review, we describe current models of transition in rare and complex epilepsy syndromes and propose alternative approaches for more holistic management based on disease biology.

RECENT FINDINGS

Previously published guidance and recommendations on transition strategies in individuals with epilepsy have not been systematically and uniformly applied. There is significant heterogeneity in models of transition/transfer of care across countries and even within the same country. We provide examples of the most severe epilepsy and related syndromes and emphasise the limited data on their outcome in adulthood. Rare and complex epilepsy syndromes have unique presentations and require high levels of expertise and multidisciplinary approach. Lifespan clinics, with no transition, but instead continuity of care from childhood to adulthood with highly specialised input from healthcare providers, may represent an alternative effective approach. Effectiveness should be measured by evaluation of quality of life for both patients and their families/caregivers.

Transitioning Ambulatory Medicine from Pediatrics to Adult Care for Patients with Epilepsy and Intellectual Disability

Consensus statements and clinical reports exist to guide the transition of youth from pediatric to adult healthcare services. Across the range of youth with no chronic health conditions to those with the most complex disabilities, the standards of practice continue to vary broadly across the country and internationally. Youth and young adults with combined conditions of epilepsy with intellectual disability are a small subset of the total population of young adults who share common needs. These include a system of supports that supplement each person's limitations in autonomy and self-management. Caregivers play significant roles in their lives, whether they are family members or paid direct service providers. Medical decision making and treatment adherence require specific adaptations for patients whose independence due to disability is unlikely. Key issues related to tuberous sclerosis complex, neurofibromatosis, and Rett and Sturge–Weber syndromes will be highlighted.

Health Assessment of Chinese Adolescents with Epilepsy in the Preparatory Phase of Transition Process from Pediatric to Adulthood:A Single-Center Study Using the Omaha System

OBJECTIVE

Epilepsy is one of the most common childhood-onset neurological disorder characterized by both seizures and the related comorbidities. The preparatory phase in transition refers to a dynamic process of identifying and resolving health issues to ensure seamless continuing care from childhood to adulthood. This study identifies the health issues of the preparatory phase in transition from children to adulthood using the Omaha System.

METHODS

This prospective, single-center study enrolled 86 adolescents with epilepsy in China. The Problem Classification Scheme and Problem Rating Scale for Outcomes of Omaha System were used to evaluate transition-induced health problems.

RESULTS

These health problems cover all four domains of the problem classification scheme of the Omaha System, and the specific distribution is related to the type of epilepsy. The results of the four-category classification evaluation showed that the most common health problem is health-related behavioral problems (46.1%), followed by psychosocial problems (23.0%), physiological problems (20.6%), and environmental problems (10.3%). The distribution of these health problems in generalized seizures, focal seizures, and generalized-focal seizures are significantly different (P < 0.01). The results of the outcome rating scale showed that 83.4% of the children had minimal knowledge, 84.2% had inconsistently appropriate behaviors, and 86.7% had moderate symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

The health problems of patients with epilepsy during the preparatory phase of transition process from pediatric to adulthood should be emphasized. Identification of health problems though the Omaha System can improve management for adolescents with epilepsy, including prevention, nursing care, social support, and therapeutic interventions.

Transient and Adult Patients with Neurologic Diseases in the Pediatric Emergency Department: Trends and Characteristics

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

There is an increasing rate of presentations by transient and adult patients (TAPs) to pediatric emergency departments (PED-EDs). TAPs with neurologic diseases (N-TAPs) comprise most of these patients. We investigated this trend and compared the characteristics of N-TAPs with those of pediatric patients with neurologic diseases (N-PEDs) who presented to the PED-ED of a tertiary-care hospital in Korea.

METHODS

We reviewed the medical records of neurologic patients who presented to the PED-ED of a single tertiary-care hospital from 2013 to 2017. We included patients with neurologic symptoms or diseases and those who were treated in the pediatric neurology department and underwent neurologic evaluations and treatment in the PED-ED.

RESULTS

Presentations by N-TAPs to the PED-ED increased over time, whereas the number of N-PEDs gradually decreased, with a significant difference between the groups (p<0.001). The number of N-TAPs who presented to the PED-ED almost tripled from 2013 to 2017. N-TAPs had significantly more acute symptoms than N-PEDs, and a significantly higher proportion of N-TAPs were insured by Medical Aid compared to N-PEDs (p<0.001). The admission rate was significantly higher (p<0.001) and the mean hospital stay was longer (p=0.046) for N-TAPs. Epilepsy and neurometabolic diseases were mainly responsible for the increased presentations by N-TAPs.

CONCLUSIONS

We have clarified the status of N-TAPs in the PED-ER and the role of pediatric neurologists who manage them. Multidisciplinary treatments focusing on the role of pediatric neurologists should be developed to that systematic long-term care plans are applied to N-TAPs.

Treatment issues for children with epilepsy transitioning to adult care

This is the third of three papers that summarize the second symposium on Transition in Epilepsies held in Paris in June 2016. This paper focuses on treatment issues that arise during the course of childhood epilepsy and make the process of transition to adult care more complicated. Some AEDs used during childhood, such as stiripentol, vigabatrin, and cannabidiol, are unfamiliar to adult epilepsy specialists. In addition, new drugs are being developed for treatment of specific childhood onset epilepsy syndromes and have no indication yet for adults. The ketogenic diet may be effective during childhood but is difficult to continue in adult care. Regional adult epilepsy diet clinics could be helpful. Polytherapy is common for patients transitioning to adult care. Although these complex AED regimes are difficult, they are often possible to simplify. AEDs used in childhood may need to be reconsidered in adulthood. Rescue medications to stop prolonged seizures and clusters of seizures are in wide home use in children and can be continued in adulthood. Adherence/compliance is notoriously difficult for adolescents, but there are simple clinical approaches that should be helpful. Mental health issues including depression and anxiety are not always diagnosed and treated in children and young adults even though effective treatments are available. Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and aggressive behavior disorders may interfere with transition and successful adulthood but these can be treated. For the majority, the adult social outcome of children with epilepsy is unsatisfactory with few proven interventions. The interface between pediatric and adult care for children with epilepsy is becoming increasingly complicated with a need for more comprehensive transition programs and adult epileptologists who are knowledgeable about special treatments that benefit this group of patients.

Epilepsy: addressing the transition from pediatric to adult care

Adolescence is a period of rapid change, both physical and psychosocial for any young person. It can be challenging when they have ongoing health problems and when their care needs to be transitioned to the adult health care system. Transition should be a planned process of addressing the medical and associated comorbid conditions from pediatric to adult care in a coordinated manner. In most cases, the young person and their family are well known to the pediatrics services and have built a relationship based on trust and often friendship over many years. Understandably, there is significant apprehension about moving from this familiar setting to the unknown adult services. Apart from having a sound knowledge of specific childhood epileptic conditions and associated comorbid disorders, it is important that both the pediatric and adult epilepsy teams are motivated to provide a successful and safe transition for these patients. It is essential that transition is seen as a continual process and not as a single event, and good preparation is the key to its success. It is also important that general practitioners are closely engaged to ensure successful transition. An overview of how to effectively address transition in epilepsy, different models of transition, transition of relevant epilepsies, and their management is discussed.

Stiripentol and vigabatrin current roles in the treatment of epilepsy

INTRODUCTION

Stiripentol and vigabatrin are the two anticonvulsant drugs currently approved in severe infantile-onset epilepsies, respectively Dravet syndrome and infantile spasms.

AREAS COVERED

For both, the indication was discovered by chance thanks to an exploratory study. Both demonstrated indisputable efficacy through randomized-controlled trials. Stiripentol as adjunctive therapy to clobazam and valproate performed better than placebo, and vigabatrin as first-line monotherapy better than the reference steroid therapy in spasms due to tuberous sclerosis. At one-year treatment vigabatrin and steroids were equally efficient in the other etiologies of spasms. However, it took more than 20 years for both drugs to be approved world-wide.

EXPERT OPINION

Stiripentol suffered from pharmacokinetic potentiation of clobazam, thus raising the question whether it was efficient per se. Finally, animal models and pharmacogenetic data on CYP2C19 confirmed its specific anticonvulsant effect. Stiripentol (in comedication with clobazam and valproate) is therefore to be recommended for Dravet patients. Vigabatrin was found to have a frequent and irreversible retinal toxicity, which required an alternative visual testing to be detected in young children. Today the benefit/risk ratio of vigabatrin as first-line is considered to be positive in infantile spasms, given the severity of this epilepsy and the lack of a safer alternative therapy.

Transition from Pediatric to Adult Specialty Care for Adolescents and Young Adults with Refractory Epilepsy: A Quality Improvement Approach

Adolescents and young adults with refractory epilepsy are particularly vulnerable to serious medical and psychosocial challenges during transition from pediatric to adult care. Quality improvement methods were used to address the transition process on an academic medical campus. Outcomes achieved were decreased time from referral to first appointment in the adult clinic, H=8.2, p=0.004, r=0.43; and increased social work referrals using decision support, z=10.0, p=0.0006, OR=6.13. As measured by the 13-item Patient Activation Measure, pre-post change in patient activation as an outcome of self-management education was not statistically significant.

Transition to adult medical care for adolescents with epilepsy

INTRODUCTION

During transition to adult medical care, the adolescent with epilepsy is especially prone to emotional, mental, physical, and social developmental difficulties, leading to stigma and poor psychosocial and socioeconomic outcome in the long term.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this review is twofold: to describe the psychosocial and medical transition from adolescence to adulthood and to evaluate the most effective model for transitional services in adolescents with epilepsy.

METHODS

We searched PubMed for quantitative and qualitative data about transition from adolescence to adulthood in patients with epilepsy.

RESULTS

A total of 49 articles were retrieved. We reviewed personal, psychosocial, and medical issues during transition and their long-term individual and societal consequences. Identifying risk factors for poor transition can lead to appropriate interventions for patients and their family. Although the concept of multidisciplinary transition care for adolescents with epilepsy is widely recognized, only a few transition clinics have been established. There is lack of evidence for their quality and cost-effectiveness.

CONCLUSION

In addition to medical problems, more attention should be paid to the risk of psychosocial problems during transition from pediatric to adult care. The implementation of transition care for adolescents with epilepsy is considered beneficial; however, its effectiveness should be further investigated.