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Sánchez Marco N, Giorgi S, Aibar JÁ. The social and emotional burden of Dravet syndrome on Spanish caregivers. Heliyon 2024; 10:e34771. [PMID: 39149084 PMCID: PMC11324968 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Dravet syndrome (DS) is a rare developmental and epileptic encephalopathy that presents with frequent and prolonged seizures resistant to treatment as well as cognitive problems such as behavioral and developmental delays. However, there is a lack of scientific literature on the impact of this condition on caregivers and the family unit. Objectives To find out the social and emotional impact of DS on the family unit, to provide a comprehensive understanding of the disease's effects on both the family and caregivers. Materials and methods A tailored online survey was administered to Spanish DS families, collecting data on the employment, financial, emotional, and social status of patients and caregivers. Results A total of 112 Spanish caregivers participated in the study. The mean age of the 112 parents was 46.61 years, and 77.68 % of them were mothers. The majority of caregivers had to quit their jobs or reduce their working hours to take care of their child with DS, being the most of them mothers. Most of the caregivers felt that they were not well-informed by healthcare professionals (HCPs) and the Spanish National Health System (NHS). Despite access to resources, families often face financial strain and challenges in obtaining sufficient support, highlighting the need for enhanced social, economic, and psychological backing. In addition, both sentimental and social relationships were negatively impacted in the vast majority of respondents. Conclusions The study advocates for policy reforms, integrated social services, community programs, and multidisciplinary efforts to improve the quality of life and social integration for those affected by DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naiara Sánchez Marco
- Dravet Syndrome Foundation Spain, Madrid, Spain, C/ Toledo, 46, 1°, 28005, Madrid, Spain
| | - Simona Giorgi
- Dravet Syndrome Foundation Spain, Madrid, Spain, C/ Toledo, 46, 1°, 28005, Madrid, Spain
| | - José Ángel Aibar
- Dravet Syndrome Foundation Spain, Madrid, Spain, C/ Toledo, 46, 1°, 28005, Madrid, Spain
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Robertson EG, Kelada L, Best S, Goranitis I, Pierce K, Bye A, Palmer EE. Quality of life in caregivers of a child with a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. Dev Med Child Neurol 2024; 66:206-215. [PMID: 37421242 PMCID: PMC10952662 DOI: 10.1111/dmcn.15695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/02/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
AIM To explore the relationship between social care-related quality of life (SCrQoL) for caregivers of a child with a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE; such as SCN2A and Dravet syndrome) and health literacy, illness perceptions, and caregiver activation. METHOD As part of a larger pre-post pilot study of an information linker service, caregivers completed a baseline questionnaire which included demographics and measures to assess SCrQoL, health literacy, illness perceptions, and caregiver activation. We used Spearman's Rho to determine relationships between variables. RESULTS Seventy-two caregivers completed the questionnaire. Total SCrQoL varied widely, ranging from an 'ideal state' to 'high needs state'. Caregivers most frequently reported high needs regarding doing activities they enjoy and looking after themselves. Total SCrQoL was correlated with cognitive (r[70] = -0.414, p < 0.000) and emotional representations of illness (r[70] = -0.503, p < 0.000), but not coherence (r = -0.075, p = 0.529). Total SCrQoL was not correlated with health literacy (r[70] = 0.125, p = 0.295) or caregiver activation (r[70] = 0.181, p = 0.127). INTERPRETATION Future research should explore whether interventions that help caregivers cognitively reframe the negative experiences of having a child with a DEE, and support them to partake in activities they enjoy, boost their SCrQoL. WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS Caregiver social care-related quality of life (SCrQoL) varied widely, from 'ideal state' to 'high needs state'. Most common high needs were doing enjoyable activities and self-care. Caregivers with higher SCrQoL may perceive their child's illness as less threatening. SCrQoL does not appear to be related to caregiver activation in this sample.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eden G Robertson
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine & Health, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, Australia
- Behavioural Sciences Unit, Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, Australia
| | - Lauren Kelada
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine & Health, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, Australia
- Behavioural Sciences Unit, Kids Cancer Centre, Sydney Children's Hospital, Randwick, Australia
| | - Stephanie Best
- Department of Health Services Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre Dept of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Ilias Goranitis
- Australian Genomics Health Alliance, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Melbourne, Australia
- Health Economics Unit, Centre for Health Policy, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Kristine Pierce
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine & Health, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, Australia
- Epilepsy Foundation, Surrey Hills, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Annie Bye
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine & Health, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, Australia
- Department of Neurology, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network - Randwick, Randwick, Australia
| | - Elizabeth E Palmer
- Discipline of Paediatrics and Child Health, School of Clinical Medicine, UNSW Medicine & Health, UNSW Sydney, Randwick, Australia
- Centre for Clinical Genetics, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network - Randwick, Randwick, Australia
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Chemaly N, Kuchenbuch M, Teng T, Marie E, D'Onofrio G, Lo Barco T, Brambilla I, Flege S, Hallet A, Nabbout R. A European pilot study in Dravet Syndrome to delineate what really matters for the patients and families. Epilepsia Open 2024; 9:388-396. [PMID: 34747137 PMCID: PMC10839355 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/31/2021] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
We aimed to identify caregivers' opinions on the outcome measures that matter in clinical trials in individuals with Dravet syndrome (DS). We conducted a prospective European multicenter study based on an 11 closed questions survey developed by the French reference center for rare epilepsies and DS patients' advocacy groups. Items included questions on seizures and daily life outcomes that a clinical trial on a therapy for individuals with DS should target. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate the impact of the country of residence and of the patients' age. The survey was answered by 153 caregivers (68%: France, 28%: Germany, and 24%: Italy) off individuals with DS. Individuals with DS included 86 males (mean age of 11.4 [interquartile: 7-20.4] years). Families ranked as important almost all the items proposed. However, items related to daily life had the highest rank in all three countries compared to items about seizures (P = 0.02). Increase in individuals' age was associated with a higher age at diagnosis (ρ = 0.26, P = 0.02), and a lower impact of seizure duration (ρ = -0.25, P = 0.005) and on the need of hospital referral (ρ = -0.26, P = 0.005). These data can help tailor patient-centered outcome measures in future clinical and real-life trials for DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicole Chemaly
- Department of Pediatric NeurologyReference Centre for Rare EpilepsiesHôpital Necker‐Enfants MaladesAPHPMember of ERN EpiCAREParisFrance
- Laboratory of Translational Research for Neurological DisordersINSERM MR1163Imagine InstituteParisFrance
- Université de ParisParisFrance
| | - Mathieu Kuchenbuch
- Department of Pediatric NeurologyReference Centre for Rare EpilepsiesHôpital Necker‐Enfants MaladesAPHPMember of ERN EpiCAREParisFrance
- Laboratory of Translational Research for Neurological DisordersINSERM MR1163Imagine InstituteParisFrance
| | - Théo Teng
- Department of Pediatric NeurologyReference Centre for Rare EpilepsiesHôpital Necker‐Enfants MaladesAPHPMember of ERN EpiCAREParisFrance
| | | | - Gianluca D'Onofrio
- Department of Pediatric NeurologyReference Centre for Rare EpilepsiesHôpital Necker‐Enfants MaladesAPHPMember of ERN EpiCAREParisFrance
- Department of Women and Child HealthUniversity of PaduaPaduaItaly
| | - Tommaso Lo Barco
- Department of Pediatric NeurologyReference Centre for Rare EpilepsiesHôpital Necker‐Enfants MaladesAPHPMember of ERN EpiCAREParisFrance
- Child NeuropsychiatryDepartment of Surgical SciencesDentistry, Gynecology and PediatricsUniversity of VeronaVeronaItaly
| | | | | | | | - Rima Nabbout
- Department of Pediatric NeurologyReference Centre for Rare EpilepsiesHôpital Necker‐Enfants MaladesAPHPMember of ERN EpiCAREParisFrance
- Laboratory of Translational Research for Neurological DisordersINSERM MR1163Imagine InstituteParisFrance
- Université de ParisParisFrance
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Guertin JR, Gilbert-Ouimet M, Dugas M, Carnovale V, Jalbert L, Svyntozelska O, Demers J, Matteau L, Bergeron F, LeBlanc A. Methods used to account for caregivers' sex and gender within studies examining the financial burden of caregivers of children and adolescents : Results from a scoping review. CLINICOECONOMICS AND OUTCOMES RESEARCH 2024; 16:35-53. [PMID: 38298908 PMCID: PMC10829241 DOI: 10.2147/ceor.s443077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/11/2024] [Indexed: 02/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Interest in the financial burden of informal caregivers has been growing. Unfortunately, it remains unclear which method(s) should be used when quantifying this burden. Purpose We conducted a scoping review aimed at identifying which methods have been used to conduct such work and quantified their performance. We were also interested in examining how sex and gender considerations were considered within selected studies. Data Sources Using a standardized approach, we identified studies published between 2012 and 2022 that aimed to document the financial burden of caregivers to child and adolescent patients. Our search strategy was applied to the MEDLINE, Embase, CINHAL, and Academic Search Premier databases. Study Selection Manuscript selection was performed by pairs of reviewers. Data Extraction Data extraction was performed by one reviewer with a second reviewer performing quality control. Results were reported using a narrative approach. Data Synthesis We identified 9801 unique citations, of which 200 were included in our review. Selected studies covered various disease area (eg, infection/parasitic diseases [n = 31, 16%]) and included quantitative (n = 180, 90%), qualitative (n = 4, 2%) and mixed study designs (n = 16, 8%). Most studies (n = 182, 91%) used questionnaires/surveys, either alone or in combination with other methods, to assess caregivers' financial burden. Less than half (n = 93, 47%) of studies reported on caregivers' sex and none reported on their gender. Conclusion We conducted an unrestricted review of published studies examining caregiver's financial burden which allowed us to identify general methodological trends observed in this literature. We believe this work may help improve future studies focusing on this important issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jason Robert Guertin
- Centre de recherche du Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Centre de recherche en organogénèse expérimentale de l’Université Laval/LOEX, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Mahée Gilbert-Ouimet
- Centre de recherche du Centre de recherche du CHU de Québec-Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Health Sciences, Université du Québec À Rimouski, Levis, Quebec, Canada
| | - Michèle Dugas
- VITAM Research Center on Sustainable Health, Quebec Integrated University Health and Social Services Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Valérie Carnovale
- VITAM Research Center on Sustainable Health, Quebec Integrated University Health and Social Services Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Laura Jalbert
- VITAM Research Center on Sustainable Health, Quebec Integrated University Health and Social Services Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Olha Svyntozelska
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- VITAM Research Center on Sustainable Health, Quebec Integrated University Health and Social Services Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Juliette Demers
- VITAM Research Center on Sustainable Health, Quebec Integrated University Health and Social Services Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Léonie Matteau
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- Department of Health Sciences, Université du Québec À Rimouski, Levis, Quebec, Canada
| | - Frédéric Bergeron
- Bibliothèque-Direction des services-conseils, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
| | - Annie LeBlanc
- Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
- VITAM Research Center on Sustainable Health, Quebec Integrated University Health and Social Services Center, Quebec City, Quebec, Canada
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Bharti SK, Gupta I, Akshima, Madaan P, Devi N, Dhir P, Negi S, Sankhyan N, Sahu JK, Bansal D. Societal costs of illness for infantile epileptic spasms syndrome and evolutionary cost prediction in the era of WHO's IGAP. Epilepsy Res 2024; 199:107284. [PMID: 38159425 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2023.107284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2023] [Revised: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND To achieve the goal of improving the quality of life for persons with epilepsy within the framework of the WHO's Intersectoral Global Action Plan (IGAP), our study aimed to assess the societal financial burden linked to infantile epileptic spasms syndrome (IESS), ensuring that children afflicted with IESS receive high-quality healthcare without enduring substantial financial constraints. METHODS Between August 2022 and March 2023, 92 children with IESS (male: female: 2:1), recently diagnosed or previously followed-up, were recruited. We gathered costs for drugs, tests, and medical services, along with legal guardians' monthly income. Total expenditure was determined by multiplying unit costs by the yearly service usage commencing from the onset. Time series analysis was utilised to forecast the financial burden from 2022 to 2032. RESULTS Clinicians' first choice of treatment was ACTH (n = 60, 65·2%), prednisolone (n = 25, 27·2%), and vigabatrin (n = 7, 7·6%) and the median cost of treatment during the initial year was INR 39,010 [USD 479·2]. The median direct medical, direct non-medical, and indirect cost were INR 31,650 [USD 388·4], INR 6581 [USD 80·8], and INR 10,100 [USD 124·07], respectively. Families lost a median of 12 days of work annually. Drug costs and loss of wages were the key factors in the financial burden. The projected and adjusted figures exhibited an incremental growth rate of 2·6% tri-annually. INTERPRETATION This pioneering study in developing countries, the first of its kind, evaluates the societal cost, financial hardship, and trajectory of incremental cost in IESS. The primary drivers of the financial burden were pharmacological treatment and family work adjustments. The government shoulders 62% of the financial burden, and projected a triannual growth of 2·6% from 2022 to 2032. Our results rationalize policymakers' focus on incorporating IESS into social security programs, particularly in developing countries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saroj Kundan Bharti
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Ishneet Gupta
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Akshima
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Priyanka Madaan
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Amrita School of Medical Sciences, Faridabad, India; Pediatric Neurology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Nagita Devi
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Pooja Dhir
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Sandeep Negi
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Naveen Sankhyan
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India
| | - Jitendra Kumar Sahu
- Pediatric Neurology Unit, Department of Pediatrics, Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
| | - Dipika Bansal
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, Mohali, Punjab, India.
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Strzelczyk A, Lagae L, Wilmshurst JM, Brunklaus A, Striano P, Rosenow F, Schubert‐Bast S. Dravet syndrome: A systematic literature review of the illness burden. Epilepsia Open 2023; 8:1256-1270. [PMID: 37750463 PMCID: PMC10690674 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023] Open
Abstract
We performed a systematic literature review and narrative synthesis according to a pre-registered protocol (Prospero: CRD42022376561) to identify the evidence associated with the burden of illness in Dravet syndrome (DS), a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy characterized by drug-resistant epilepsy with neurocognitive and neurobehavioral impairment. We searched MEDLINE, Embase, and APA PsychInfo, Cochrane's database of systematic reviews, and Epistemonikos from inception to June 2022. Non-interventional studies reporting on epidemiology (incidence, prevalence, and mortality), patient and caregiver health-related quality of life (HRQoL), direct and indirect costs and healthcare resource utilization were eligible. Two reviewers independently carried out the screening. Pre-specified data were extracted and a narrative synthesis was conducted. Overall, 49 studies met the inclusion criteria. The incidence varied from 1:15 400-1:40 900, and the prevalence varied from 1.5 per 100 000 to 6.5 per 100 000. Mortality was reported in 3.7%-20.8% of DS patients, most commonly due to sudden unexpected death in epilepsy and status epilepticus. Patient HRQoL, assessed by caregivers, was lower than in non-DS epilepsy patients; mean scores (0 [worst] to 100/1 [best]) were 62.1 for the Kiddy KINDL/Kid-KINDL, 46.5-54.7 for the PedsQL and 0.42 for the EQ-5D-5L. Caregivers, especially mothers, were severely affected, with impacts on their time, energy, sleep, career, and finances, while siblings were also affected. Symptoms of depression were reported in 47%-70% of caregivers. Mean total direct costs were high across all studies, ranging from $11 048 to $77 914 per patient per year (PPPY), with inpatient admissions being a key cost driver across most studies. Mean costs related to lost productivity were only reported in three publications, ranging from approximately $19 000 to $20 000 PPPY ($17 596 for mothers vs $1564 for fathers). High seizure burden was associated with higher resource utilization, costs and poorer HRQoL. The burden of DS on patients, caregivers, the healthcare system, and society is profound, reflecting the severe nature of the syndrome. Future studies will be able to assess the impact that newly approved therapies have on reducing the burden of DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Strzelczyk
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine‐Main, Center of Neurology and NeurosurgeryGoethe‐University and University Hospital FrankfurtFrankfurt am MainGermany
- LOEWE Center for Personalized and Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER)Goethe‐University FrankfurtFrankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Lieven Lagae
- Department of Development and RegenerationUniversity Hospitals KU LeuvenLeuvenBelgium
| | - Jo M Wilmshurst
- Department of Paediatric Neurology, Red Cross War Memorial Children's Hospital, Neuroscience InstituteUniversity of Cape TownCape TownSouth Africa
| | - Andreas Brunklaus
- Paediatric Neurosciences Research GroupRoyal Hospital for ChildrenGlasgowUK
- School of Health and WellbeingUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
| | - Pasquale Striano
- IRCCS ‘G. Gaslini’ InstituteGenovaItaly
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child HealthUniversity of GenoaGenovaItaly
| | - Felix Rosenow
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine‐Main, Center of Neurology and NeurosurgeryGoethe‐University and University Hospital FrankfurtFrankfurt am MainGermany
- LOEWE Center for Personalized and Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER)Goethe‐University FrankfurtFrankfurt am MainGermany
| | - Susanne Schubert‐Bast
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine‐Main, Center of Neurology and NeurosurgeryGoethe‐University and University Hospital FrankfurtFrankfurt am MainGermany
- LOEWE Center for Personalized and Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER)Goethe‐University FrankfurtFrankfurt am MainGermany
- Department of NeuropediatricsGoethe‐University and University Hospital FrankfurtFrankfurt am MainGermany
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Salom R, Aras LM, Piñero J, Duñabeitia JA. The psychosocial impact of caring for children with Dravet Syndrome. Epilepsy Behav Rep 2023; 24:100619. [PMID: 37701518 PMCID: PMC10493494 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebr.2023.100619] [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: 02/16/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
This study examined the psychosocial impact on parents of children affected by Dravet Syndrome (DS), a rare drug-resistant developmental encephalopathic epileptic syndrome which affects children at an early age and that involves severe cognitive, behavioral, and motor impairments. DS has a major negative impact on caregivers, mainly on their physical and mental health, and on their social relationships and economic resources. Similarly, it has been suggested that the quality of life of caregivers and children with DS is lower compared to the general population, especially because of the severe and frequent seizures suffered by the child, leaving caregivers with heavy burdens. The main aim of the current study was to assess in detail the psychosocial impact that having a child with DS represents for their parents or caregivers. To this end, a standardized assessment tool was used, and the results were compared to those of a control group. The results highlighted critical differences in most of the areas explored, revealing a marked difference between parents caring of children with DS and parents of normotypically developing children in the psychosocial wellness. This study provides important qualitative data to help us understand and identify the complexity of DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Salom
- Centro de Investigación Nebrija en Cognición (CINC), Facultad de Lenguas y Educación, Universidad Nebrija, 28248 Madrid, Spain
| | - Luis Miguel Aras
- Asociación ApoyoDravet, 20009 San Sebastián, Spain
- Servicio Navarro de Salud-Osasunbidea, 31010 Navarra, Spain
| | - Jessica Piñero
- Centro de Investigación Nebrija en Cognición (CINC), Facultad de Lenguas y Educación, Universidad Nebrija, 28248 Madrid, Spain
- Fundación Salud Infantil, 03201 Elche, Spain
| | - Jon Andoni Duñabeitia
- Centro de Investigación Nebrija en Cognición (CINC), Facultad de Lenguas y Educación, Universidad Nebrija, 28248 Madrid, Spain
- AcqVA Aurora Center, Department of Languages and Culture, UiT The Arctic University of Norway, 9019 Tromsø, Norway
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Domaradzki J, Walkowiak D. Caring for Children with Dravet Syndrome: Exploring the Daily Challenges of Family Caregivers. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 10:1410. [PMID: 37628409 PMCID: PMC10453293 DOI: 10.3390/children10081410] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 08/15/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
While Polish studies focus on the symptoms, causes and treatment of people suffering from Dravet syndrome (DS), much less is known about the situation of the family caregivers of DS children. This study was designed to explore the experiences, daily challenges and needs related to caring for DS children. An anonymous self-administered online questionnaire was developed. The survey was completed by 75 family caregivers affiliated with the Association for People with Severe Refractory Epilepsy DRAVET.PL on Facebook. Most caregivers felt burdened by their children's reduced mobility (57.3%), mood swings (57.3%), lack of access to rehabilitation and medicine (56%) and healthcare expenses (50.7%). Caregivers also complained of a lack of time to themselves (76%) and work restrictions resulting from caregiving (72%). They consequently reported experiencing fatigue (84%), a deterioration of mental health (60%) and intimacy problems with their spouse/partner (53.4%). An important source of strain was a prolonged diagnostic odyssey and the constant struggle over the healthcare services for DS children. Since DS caregivers' problems and needs are often overlooked, they may be described as the forgotten people in DS. Healthcare professionals should be educated about the challenges related to caring for DS child, psycho-social status and coping resources of DS caregivers, and should focus on identification, monitoring and supporting caregivers' physical and mental well-being and needs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Domaradzki
- Department of Social Sciences and Humanities, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-806 Poznań, Poland
| | - Dariusz Walkowiak
- Department of Organization and Management in Health Care, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, 60-356 Poznań, Poland;
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Domaradzki J, Walkowiak D. Emotional experiences of family caregivers of children with Dravet syndrome. Epilepsy Behav 2023; 142:109193. [DOI: https:/doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
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10
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Maltseva M, Schubert-Bast S, Zöllner JP, Bast T, Mayer T, von Spiczak S, Ruf S, Trollmann R, Wolff M, Hornemann F, Klotz KA, Jacobs J, Kurlemann G, Neubauer BA, Polster T, Syrbe S, Bertsche A, Bettendorf U, Kluger G, Flege S, Rosenow F, Kay L, Strzelczyk A. Sleep quality, anxiety, symptoms of depression, and caregiver burden among those caring for patients with Dravet syndrome: a prospective multicenter study in Germany. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2023; 18:98. [PMID: 37120555 PMCID: PMC10148440 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-023-02697-3] [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: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND This study measured sleep quality among caregivers of patients with Dravet syndrome (DS) and assessed the impacts of mental health problems and caregiver burden on sleep quality. METHODS This multicenter, cross-sectional study of patients with DS and their caregivers throughout Germany consisted of a questionnaire and a prospective 4-week diary querying disease characteristics, demographic data, living conditions, nocturnal supervision, and caregivers' work situations. Sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleeping Quality Index (PSQI). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the Burden Scale for Family Caregivers (BSFC) were used to measure anxiety, symptoms of depression, and caregiver burden. RESULTS Our analysis included 108 questionnaires and 82 four-week diaries. Patients with DS were 49.1% male (n = 53), with a mean age of 13.5 ± 10.0 years. Caregivers were 92.6% (n = 100) female, with a mean age of 44.7 ± 10.6 years. The overall mean PSQI score was 8.7 ± 3.5, with 76.9% of participants (n = 83) scoring 6 or higher, indicating abnormal sleep quality. The HADS for anxiety and depression had overall mean scores of 9.3 ± 4.3 and 7.9 ± 3.7, respectively; 61.8% and 50.9% of participants scored above the cutoff value of 8 for anxiety and depression, respectively. Statistical analyses revealed caregiver anxiety levels and patients' sleep disturbances as major factors influencing PSQI scores. The overall mean BSFC score of 41.7 ± 11.7 indicates a moderate burden, with 45.3% of caregivers scoring 42 or higher. CONCLUSIONS Sleep quality is severely affected among caregivers of patients with DS, correlating with anxiety, comorbidities, and patients' sleep disturbances. A holistic therapeutic approach should be implemented for patients with DS and their caregivers, focusing on the sleep quality and mental health of caregivers. TRIAL REGISTRATION German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS), DRKS00016967. Registered 27 May 2019, http://www.drks.de/DRKS00016967.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margarita Maltseva
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Susanne Schubert-Bast
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Johann Philipp Zöllner
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Thomas Bast
- Epilepsy Center Kork, Kehl-Kork, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Thomas Mayer
- Epilepsy Center Kleinwachau, Dresden-Radeberg, Germany
| | - Sarah von Spiczak
- Northern German Epilepsy Centre for Children and Adolescents, Kiel-Raisdorf, Germany
| | - Susanne Ruf
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Regina Trollmann
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Friedrich-Alexander University, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus Wolff
- Center of Pediatric Neurology, Vivantes Hospital Neukoelln, Berlin, Germany
- Swiss Epilepsy Center, Klinik Lengg AG, Zürich, Switzerland
| | - Frauke Hornemann
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Leipzig University Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Kerstin A Klotz
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
| | - Julia Jacobs
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Medical Center - University of Freiburg, Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany
- Department of Pediatrics and Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | | | - Bernd A Neubauer
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Steffen Syrbe
- Division of Pediatric Epileptology, Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Astrid Bertsche
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Rostock, Germany
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Greifswald, Germany
| | | | - Gerhard Kluger
- Clinic for Neuropediatrics and Neurorehabilitation, Epilepsy Center for Children and Adolescents, Schoen Clinic Vogtareuth, Vogtareuth, Germany
- Research Institute "Rehabilitation, Transition, and Palliation", PMU Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Felix Rosenow
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Lara Kay
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Adam Strzelczyk
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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11
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Domaradzki J, Walkowiak D. Emotional experiences of family caregivers of children with Dravet syndrome. Epilepsy Behav 2023; 142:109193. [PMID: 37028149 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/09/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Since the psychosocial implications of Dravet syndrome (DS) are much more serious and far-reaching than in other types of epilepsy, caring for a DS child seriously affects the entire family. This study describes the emotional experiences of family caregivers of DS children and evaluates the way caregiving affects their perceived quality of life. METHODS An anonymous, self-administered online questionnaire was sent to family caregivers of DS children through the online patient advocacy organization the Association for People with Severe Refractory Epilepsy DRAVET.PL. It focussed on the psychosocial impact of caregiving for DS children, the perceived burden of caregiving, caregivers' emotional experiences and feelings related to caregiving, and the impact of DS on the perceived quality of life. RESULTS Caregivers stressed that caring for a DS child is associated with a significant psychosocial and emotional burden that affects the entire family. Although most caregivers reported that it was the child's health problems and behavioral and psychological disorders that were the most challenging aspects of caregiving, they were also burdened by the lack of emotional support. As caregivers were profoundly engaged in caregiving, they experienced a variety of distressing emotions, including feelings of helplessness, anxiety and fear, anticipated grief, depression, and impulsivity. Many caregivers also reported that their children's disease disrupted their relationships with their spouses, family, and healthy children. As caregivers reported experiencing role overload, physical fatigue, and mental exhaustion, they stressed the extent to which caregiving for DS children impaired their quality of life, their social and professional life, and was a source of financial burden. CONCLUSIONS As this study identified specific burden domains affecting DS caregivers' well-being family carers often need special attention, support, and help. To alleviate the humanistic burden of DS carers a bio-psychosocial approach focusing on physical, mental, and psychosocial interventions should include both DS children and their caregivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Domaradzki
- Department of Social Sciences and Humanities, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Dariusz Walkowiak
- Department of Organization and Management in Health Care, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poznań, Poland
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12
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Charisius M, Jeschke S, Lange S, Bertsche T, Ballmann M, Neininger MP, Bertsche A. Interviews with children and adolescents with epilepsy or asthma about the situation of their healthy siblings. Acta Paediatr 2023; 112:861-867. [PMID: 36653956 DOI: 10.1111/apa.16675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/20/2023]
Abstract
AIM Chronic conditions can influence the situation of healthy siblings of affected children. We investigated the opinion of the affected child about the situation of their healthy sibling and the sibling relationship. METHODS We performed a semi-structured interview with epilepsy or asthma patients aged 6-18 years and asked them to draw a picture: "Epilepsy/Asthma, my siblings and me." RESULTS Of the 58 children with epilepsy, 67%, and of the 40 children with asthma, 60% thought that their siblings were worried about the condition. Among other aspects, they addressed helplessness during a seizure. Of the children with epilepsy, 83% and of those with asthma, 95% assumed that their siblings were not disadvantaged because of the participant's condition. Of the patients with epilepsy, 91% and of those with asthma, 93% thought that the sibling relationship would not be different without the condition. Of the participants with epilepsy, 86% and of those with asthma, 93% drew a picture; 30% with epilepsy and 14% with asthma visualised an interaction with their siblings in context of a seizure or episode of dyspnoea. CONCLUSION According to the affected children, the condition worries their siblings but does not affect the siblings' lives or the sibling relationship.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mathilda Charisius
- Department of Neuropaediatrics, Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University Medicine Rostock, Rostock, Germany.,Department of Neuropaediatrics, Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sarah Jeschke
- Department of Neuropaediatrics, Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University Medicine Rostock, Rostock, Germany.,Department of Neuropaediatrics, Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Sarah Lange
- Department of Neuropaediatrics, Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University Medicine Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Thilo Bertsche
- Medical Faculty, Institute of Pharmacy, Clinical Pharmacy, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.,Drug Safety Center, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Manfred Ballmann
- Department of Pediatric Pulmonology, Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University Medicine Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Martina P Neininger
- Medical Faculty, Institute of Pharmacy, Clinical Pharmacy, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany.,Drug Safety Center, Leipzig University Hospital, Leipzig University, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Astrid Bertsche
- Department of Neuropaediatrics, Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University Medicine Rostock, Rostock, Germany.,Department of Neuropaediatrics, Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
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13
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Strzelczyk A, Zuberi SM, Striano P, Rosenow F, Schubert-Bast S. The burden of illness in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome: a systematic literature review. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2023; 18:42. [PMID: 36859290 PMCID: PMC9979426 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-023-02626-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) is a severe developmental and epileptic encephalopathy characterized by drug-resistant epilepsy with multiple seizure types starting in childhood, a typical slow spike-wave pattern on electroencephalogram, and cognitive dysfunction. METHODS We performed a systematic literature review according to the PRISMA guidelines to identify, synthesize and appraise the burden of illness in LGS (including "probable" LGS). Studies were identified by searching MEDLINE, Embase and APA PsychInfo, Cochrane's database of systematic reviews, and Epistemonikos. The outcomes were epidemiology (incidence, prevalence or mortality), direct and indirect costs, healthcare resource utilization, and patient and caregiver health-related quality of life (HRQoL). RESULTS The search identified 22 publications evaluating the epidemiology (n = 10), direct costs and resource (n = 10) and/or HRQoL (n = 5). No studies reporting on indirect costs were identified. With no specific ICD code for LGS in many regions, several studies had to rely upon indirect methods to identify their patient populations (e.g., algorithms to search insurance claims databases to identify "probable" LGS). There was heterogeneity between studies in how LGS was defined, the size of the populations, ages of the patients and length of the follow-up period. The prevalence varied from 4.2 to 60.8 per 100,000 people across studies for probable LGS and 2.9-28 per 100,000 for a confirmed/narrow definition of LGS. LGS was associated with high mortality rates compared to the general population and epilepsy population. Healthcare resource utilization and direct costs were substantial across all studies. Mean annual direct costs per person varied from $24,048 to $80,545 across studies, and home-based care and inpatient care were significant cost drivers. Studies showed that the HRQoL of patients and caregivers was adversely affected, although only a few studies were identified. In addition, studies suggested that seizure events were associated with higher costs and worse HRQoL. The risk of bias was low or moderate in most studies. CONCLUSIONS LGS is associated with a significant burden of illness featuring resistant seizures associated with higher costs and worse HRQoL. More research is needed, especially in evaluating indirect costs and caregiver burden, where there is a notable lack of studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Strzelczyk
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Hospital and Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16 (Haus 95), 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- LOEWE Center for Personalized and Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Sameer M Zuberi
- Paediatric Neurosciences Research Group, Royal Hospital for Children, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Pasquale Striano
- IRCCS 'G. Gaslini' Institute, Genova, Italy
- Department of Neurosciences, Rehabilitation, Ophthalmology, Genetics, Maternal and Child Health, University of Genoa, Genova, Italy
| | - Felix Rosenow
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Hospital and Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16 (Haus 95), 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- LOEWE Center for Personalized and Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Susanne Schubert-Bast
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, University Hospital and Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16 (Haus 95), 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- LOEWE Center for Personalized and Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University Hospital and Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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14
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Patient profile, management, and quality of life associated with Dravet syndrome: a cross-sectional, multicentre study of 80 patients in Spain. Sci Rep 2023; 13:3355. [PMID: 36849632 PMCID: PMC9971205 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-30273-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 03/01/2023] Open
Abstract
The aim of this study was to describe the profile of patients diagnosed with Dravet syndrome (DS), their clinical management, and the impact of DS on their quality of life (QoL) and family. Data of 80 patients from 11 centres in Spain was collected. Patients (47.5% female) were 12.7 (9.6) years on average (SD, standard deviation). Despite the first episode occurred when patients were a mean (SD) of 0.4 (0.2) years, DS was not diagnosed until they were 6.9 (10.1) years old. The majority (86.7%) had SCN1A gene mutations and 73.4% had seizures during the last year (mostly generalized motor seizures [47.8%]). The mean (SD) number of status epilepticus episodes was 3.6 (8.0) since diagnosis and 0.1 (0.5) in the last year. On the Health Utilities Index Mark (HUI) multi-attribute scale, the mean global score (SD) was 0.56 (0.24) in HUI2 and 0.32 (0.37) in HUI3. The impact of the disease was severe in most patients (HUI2, 81%; HUI3, 83.5%). In the Care-related QoL (CarerQol) the mean (SD) well-being score was 7.2 (2.1). Most caregivers (90%) were satisfied with their caregiving tasks, although 75% had difficulties combining these tasks with daily activities, 68.8% reported mental health problems and 61.2% physical problems.
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15
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Luo X, Wang X, Jiang J. A case of Dravet syndrome with focal cortical myoclonus. ACTA EPILEPTOLOGICA 2022. [DOI: 10.1186/s42494-022-00079-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Dravet syndrome (DS) is a severe epileptic encephalopathy in children dominated by polymorphic seizures. Focal cortical myoclonus indicated on conventional electroencephalogram (EEG) was rarely observed in DS.
Case presentation
The child, boy, thirteen months old, suffered from clonic seizures during bathing at two months old. Later he suffered from recurrent afebrile or febrile generalized tonic–clonic seizures often developing into status epilepticus. A genetic analysis of the SCN1A gene revealed a de novo heterozygous frame shift mutation in exon 21(c.3836_c.3837del AT).His myoclonic jerks of unilateral arm occurred spontaneously in response to movement. A spike wave from right central-parietal cortex immediately preceded a left myoclonic muscle activity, while a spike wave from left immediately preceded a right myoclonic muscle activity. The onset of the detected spike preceded the onset of myoclonic muscle activity by 42 ms using jerk-locked back-averaging of electroencephalogram data. The focal cortical myoclonus was not noted when one year old.
Conclusions
Focal cortical myoclonus could be a form of seizures during the first year of life in DS, which may broaden the types of seizures of DS and may provide some diagnostic clues for DS.
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16
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Wang A, Rand K, Yang Z, Brooks R, Busschbach J. The remarkably frequent use of EQ-5D in non-economic research. THE EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HEALTH ECONOMICS : HEPAC : HEALTH ECONOMICS IN PREVENTION AND CARE 2022; 23:1007-1014. [PMID: 34846623 PMCID: PMC9304056 DOI: 10.1007/s10198-021-01411-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION EQ-5D is an instrument which has been utilized for a variety of purposes, including in health-economic appraisals as an input into quality-adjusted life year (QALY) calculations. Indeed, it is the most-widely applied instrument for health-economic appraisal worldwide, and is recommended for use in QALY calculations by many national Health Technology Assessment (HTA) agencies. There is also a growing body of evidence for its usefulness in a variety of settings other than economic appraisals, but such use has not been well-documented. This study addresses this issue and documents how EQ-5D has been applied in both the non-economic and economic contexts. METHODS The PubMed database was searched using the terms 'EQ-5D', 'EQ-5D AND cost', and 'EQ-5D AND cost AND QALY' from 1 January 1980 to 31 December 2019. We concentrated on 2019 publications for more detailed analyses. All the data collected for 2019 were downloaded and collected in EndNote. For 2019 only, we classified economic and non-economic use based on the inclusion of 'cost'. We also checked by manual inspection whether the search terms were suitable in correctly identifying economic and non-economic use. Variants of the non-economic use of EQ-5D were classified as follows: (a) as a quality of life outcome measure; (b) as a tool for methodological research; (c) methodological issues of EQ-5D itself; (d) comparisons with other quality of life questionnaires; (e) mapping studies; (f) value sets; (g) alongside costs but no QALY calculated; and (h) other. RESULTS The first publication found was from 1990. Up to and including 2019, 10,817 publications were identified, of which more than two in three did not contain any reference to costs or QALYs. In 2019, a total of 1409 manuscripts were identified, of which 239 were specifically for EQ-5D-5L. Four hundred and seven (28.9%) included some form of 'costs' and 157 (11.1%) both 'costs' AND 'QALYs' terms. For EQ-5D-5L, the corresponding numbers were 104 (43.5%) and 29 (12.1%), respectively. After manually checking all the 1409 papers, three were duplicated records, which were omitted. In the remaining 1406 papers, only 40 (2.8%) contained the term 'cost', but not 'cost per QALY', and only 117 (8.3%) were identifiable as economic evaluations using the term 'cost per QALY'. Most non-economic use of EQ-5D was as a quality-of-life outcome measure (72.8%). Other applications were: as a tool for methodological research (6.7%); comparison studies (3.7%); EQ-5D methodological issues (3.5%); containing costs but not QALYs (2.8%); mapping (1.3%); value sets (0.4%); and other papers (0.4%). CONCLUSIONS The majority of the studies retrieved, covering a wide variety of research areas, reported upon the non-economic use of EQ-5D. Despite being the most-used instrument worldwide for QALY calculations, economic appraisal accounted for only a small, but important, part of published use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aimin Wang
- School of Medical Management, Shandong First Medical University & Shandong Academy of Medical Sciences, Tai'an, China
- Section Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- EuroQol Group Research Foundation, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Kim Rand
- Health Services Research Center, Akershus University Hospital, Lørenskog, Norway
- Math in Health B.V., Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- EuroQol Group Research Foundation, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Zhihao Yang
- Health Services Management Department, Guizhou Medical University, Gui'an, China.
- EuroQol Group Research Foundation, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Richard Brooks
- Health Services Management Department, Guizhou Medical University, Gui'an, China
- EuroQol Group Research Foundation, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Jan Busschbach
- Section Medical Psychology and Psychotherapy, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- EuroQol Group Research Foundation, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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17
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Strzelczyk A, Kurlemann G, Bast T, Bettendorf U, Kluger G, Mayer T, Neubauer BA, Polster T, von Spiczak S, Trollmann R, Wolff M, Toward T, Gruenert J, Gibson E, Pritchard C, Carroll J, Rosenow F, Schubert-Bast S. Exploring the relationships between composite scores of disease severity, seizure-freedom and quality of life in Dravet syndrome. Neurol Res Pract 2022; 4:22. [PMID: 35659154 PMCID: PMC9169336 DOI: 10.1186/s42466-022-00186-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND In Dravet syndrome (DS), a rare epileptic and developmental encephalopathy, the effectiveness of a new treatment is predominantly measured in terms of seizure frequency. However, this may not fully capture the impact of a treatment on the broader aspects of the syndrome and patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Using a previously published survey which collected data from DS patients and their carers on the broader manifestations of their syndrome, their HRQoL, and their experience of seizures, this study created composite measures of symptom severity to offer new perspectives on the multifaceted aspects of this rare condition. METHODS Survey responses on the severity of physical and psychosocial symptoms were combined with independent assessments of disability and care need, to generate three composite symptom scores assessing the manifestations of DS (physical, psychosocial and care requirements). Variation in HRQoL was investigated in multiple regression analyses to assess the strength of association between each of these composite measures and three forms of seizure measures (seizure frequency, days with no seizures and longest interval without seizures), as experienced over a 4- and 12-week period. RESULTS Composite scores were calculated for a cohort of 75 primarily paediatric patients who were enrolled in the study. Strong associations were found between each of the three composite symptom scores and each of the three seizure measures, with the regression coefficient on symptom score highly significant (p ≤ 0.001) in all nine comparisons. Separate regressions using predictors of HRQoL (Kiddy KINDL and Kid KINDL) as the dependent variable were inconclusive, identifying only behavioural/attention problems and status epilepticus as significant predictors of HRQoL. CONCLUSIONS These results allow the development of a composite score that may be useful in developing a clinical understanding of the severity of DS for an individual patient and establishing their treatment goals. Where measurement of long-term sequalae of disease is not feasible, such as clinical trials, correlation of the composite score with experience of seizures and seizure-free periods may allow a better contextualisation of the results of short-term assessments. TRIAL REGISTRATION German Clinical Trials Register (DRKS), DRKS00011894. Registered 16 March 2017, http://www.drks.de/ DRKS00011894.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Strzelczyk
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16 (Haus 95), 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Epilepsy Center Hessen and Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg (Lahn), Germany.
| | - Gerhard Kurlemann
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University of Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Thomas Bast
- Epilepsy Center Kork, Kehl-Kork, Germany
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg i. Br., Germany
| | | | - Gerhard Kluger
- Epilepsy Center for Children and Adolescents, Clinic for Neuropediatrics and Neurorehabilitation, Schön Klinik Vogtareuth, Vogtareuth, Germany
- Research Institute "Rehabilitation, Transition, and Palliation", PMU Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Thomas Mayer
- Epilepsy Center Kleinwachau, Radeberg, Dresden, Germany
| | - Bernd A Neubauer
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | | | - Sarah von Spiczak
- Northern German Epilepsy Center for Children and Adolescents, Raisdorf, Kiel, Germany
| | - Regina Trollmann
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Friedrich-Alexander University, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Markus Wolff
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Vivantes Klinikum Neukölln, Berlin, Germany
| | - Toby Toward
- Zogenix International Limited, Maidenhead, United Kingdom
| | - Jens Gruenert
- Zogenix International Limited, Maidenhead, United Kingdom
| | | | | | | | - Felix Rosenow
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16 (Haus 95), 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Susanne Schubert-Bast
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16 (Haus 95), 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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18
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The clinical, economic, and humanistic burden of Dravet syndrome - A systematic literature review. Epilepsy Behav 2022; 130:108661. [PMID: 35334258 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.108661] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
Dravet syndrome (DS) is a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy with evolving disease course as individuals age. In recent years, the treatment landscape of DS has changed considerably, and a comprehensive systematic review of the contemporary literature is lacking. Here we synthesized published evidence on the occurrence of clinical impacts by age, the economic and humanistic (health-related quality-of-life [HRQoL]) burden, and health state utility. We provide an evidence-based, contemporary visualization of the clinical manifestations, highlighting that DS is not limited to seizures; non-seizure manifestations appear early in life and increase over time, contributing significantly to the economic and humanistic burden of disease. The primary drivers of HRQoL in DS include seizure severity, cognition, and motor and behavioral problems; in turn, these directly affect caregivers through the extent of assistance required and consequent impact on activities of daily living. Unsurprisingly, costs are driven by seizure-related events, hospitalizations, and in-home medical care visits. This systematic review highlights a paucity of longitudinal data; most studies meeting inclusion criteria were cross-sectional or had short follow-up. Nonetheless, available data illustrate the substantial impact on individuals, their families, and healthcare systems and establish the need for novel therapies to address the complex spectrum of DS manifestations.
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19
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Schubert-Bast S, Kay L, Simon A, Wyatt G, Holland R, Rosenow F, Strzelczyk A. Epidemiology, healthcare resource use, and mortality in patients with probable Dravet syndrome: A population-based study on German health insurance data. Epilepsy Behav 2022; 126:108442. [PMID: 34864381 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 11/09/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Ten-year retrospective study to assess burden of illness in patients with probable Dravet syndrome (DS) identified from German healthcare data. METHODS In the absence of an International Classification of Diseases code, patients with probable DS were identified using a selection algorithm considering diagnoses and drug prescriptions. Primary analyses were prevalence and demographics; secondary analyses included healthcare costs, annual hospitalization rate (AHR) and length of stay (LOS), medication use, and mortality. RESULTS In the final study year, 64 patients with probable DS (mean [range] age: 33.2 [3-82] years; male: 48%) were identified. Prevalence: 4.7 per 100,000 people. During the study, 160 patients with probable DS were identified and followed up for 1,261 patient-years. Mean cost of healthcare was €11,048 per patient-year (PPY), mostly attributable to inpatient care (47%), medication (26%), and services and devices (19%). Annual healthcare costs were significantly greater for those with prescribed rescue medication (15% of patient-years) vs. without (€16,123 vs. €10,125 PPY, p < 0.001). Mean (standard deviation [SD]) AHR and LOS were 1.1 (1.7) and 17.5 (33.5) days PPY. AHR was significantly greater in patients with prescribed rescue medication vs. without (1.6 [2.0] vs. 1.0 [1.6] PPY, p < 0.001). Mean (SD) number of antiseizure medications prescribed was 2.6 (1.2) PPY and 5.0 (2.5) over the entire observable time for each patient. Mortality rate was significantly higher for probable DS vs. matched controls (11.88% [19 events] vs. 1.19% [172 events], p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Probable DS is associated with substantial healthcare costs in Germany.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne Schubert-Bast
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, University Hospital and Frankfurt and Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Department of Neuropediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Lara Kay
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, University Hospital and Frankfurt and Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | | | - Geoffrey Wyatt
- Market Access and Health Economics and Outcomes Research, GW Pharma Ltd, London, UK.
| | - Rowena Holland
- Market Access and Health Economics and Outcomes Research, GW Pharma Ltd, London, UK.
| | - Felix Rosenow
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, University Hospital and Frankfurt and Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Adam Strzelczyk
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, University Hospital and Frankfurt and Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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20
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Strzelczyk A, Schubert-Bast S. A Practical Guide to the Treatment of Dravet Syndrome with Anti-Seizure Medication. CNS Drugs 2022; 36:217-237. [PMID: 35156171 PMCID: PMC8927048 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-022-00898-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 01/09/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
Dravet syndrome is a severe developmental and epileptic encephalopathy characterised by refractory seizures and cognitive dysfunction. The treatment is challenging, not least because the seizures are highly drug resistant, requiring multiple anti-seizure medications (ASMs), while some ASMs can exacerbate seizures. Initial treatments include the broad-spectrum ASMs valproate (VPA), and clobazam (CLB) in some regions; however, they are generally insufficient to control seizures. With this in mind, three adjunct ASMs have been approved specifically for the treatment of seizures in patients with Dravet syndrome: stiripentol (STP) in 2007 in the European Union and 2018 in the USA, cannabidiol (CBD) in 2018/2019 (in combination with CLB in the European Union) and fenfluramine (FFA) in 2020. These "add-on" therapies (mostly to VPA/CLB) are used as escalation therapies, with the choice dependent on availability in different countries, patient characteristics and caregiver preferences. Topiramate is also frequently used, with evidence of efficacy in Dravet syndrome, and there is anecdotal evidence of efficacy with bromide, which is frequently used in Germany and Japan. With a growing treatment landscape for Dravet syndrome, there can be practical challenges for clinicians, particularly with issues associated with polypharmacy. This practical guide provides an overview of these main ASMs including their indications/contraindications, mechanism of action, efficacy, safety and tolerability profile, dosage requirements, and laboratory and clinical parameters to be evaluated. Standard laboratory and clinical parameters include blood counts, liver function tests, serum concentrations of ASMs, monitoring the growth of children, as well as weight loss and acceleration of behavioural problems. Regular cardiac monitoring is also important with FFA as it has previously been associated with cases of cardiac valve disease when used in adults at high doses (up to 120 mg/day) in combination with phentermine as a therapy for obesity. Importantly, no signs of heart valve disease have been documented to date at the low doses used in patients with developmental and epileptic encephalopathies. In addition, potential drug-drug interactions and their consequences are a key consideration in everyday practice. Interactions that potentially require dosage adjustments to alleviate adverse events include the following: STP + CLB resulting in increased plasma concentrations of CLB and its active metabolite norclobazam may increase somnolence, and an interaction with STP and VPA may increase gastrointestinal adverse events. Cannabidiol has a bi-directional interaction with CLB producing an increase in plasma concentrations of 7-OH-CBD and norclobazam resulting in the potential for increased somnolence and sedation. In addition, CBD is associated with elevations of liver transaminases particularly in patients taking concomitant VPA. The interaction between FFA and STP requires a dose reduction of FFA. Furthermore, concomitant administration of VPA with topiramate has been associated with encephalopathy and/or hyperammonaemia. Finally, we briefly describe other ASMs used in Dravet syndrome, and current key clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Strzelczyk
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16 (Haus 95), 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. .,LOEWE Center for Personalized and Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Susanne Schubert-Bast
- grid.7839.50000 0004 1936 9721Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16 (Haus 95), 60528 Frankfurt am Main, Germany ,grid.7839.50000 0004 1936 9721LOEWE Center for Personalized and Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany ,grid.7839.50000 0004 1936 9721Department of Neuropediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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21
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Willems LM, Schubert-Bast S, Grau J, Hertzberg C, Kurlemann G, Wiemer-Kruel A, Bast T, Bertsche A, Bettendorf U, Fiedler B, Hahn A, Hartmann H, Hornemann F, Immisch I, Jacobs J, Kieslich M, Klein KM, Klotz KA, Kluger G, Knuf M, Mayer T, Marquard K, Meyer S, Muhle H, Müller-Schlüter K, Noda AH, Ruf S, Sauter M, Schlump JU, Syrbe S, Thiels C, Trollmann R, Wilken B, Zöllner JP, Rosenow F, Strzelczyk A. Health-related quality of life in children and adolescents with tuberous sclerosis complex and their caregivers: A multicentre cohort study from Germany. Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2021; 35:111-122. [PMID: 34673401 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejpn.2021.10.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 06/17/2021] [Accepted: 10/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to measure health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in children and adolescents with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) and quality of life (QOL) and depressive symptoms among caregivers. METHODS Adequate metrics were used to assess HRQOL in children and adolescents with TSC (4-18 years, KINDLR) as well as QOL (EQ-5D) and symptoms of depression (BDI-II) among caregivers. Predictors for reduced HRQOL and depressive symptoms were identified by variance analysis, ordinal regression, and bivariate correlation. RESULTS The mean HRQOL score was 67.9 ± 12.7, and significantly lower values were associated with increasing age, attending special needs education, TSC-associated psychiatric symptoms, and drug-related adverse events. The mean QOL of caregivers was 85.4 ± 15.7, and caregiver's sex, TSC mutation locus, familial TSC clustering, special needs education, degree of disability, care dependency, presence of TSC-associated psychiatric symptoms, and TSC severity were significant predictors of lower QOL. Depressive symptoms were identified in 45.7% of caregivers, associated with female sex of the caregiver, familial TSC clustering, special needs education, and presence of TSC-associated psychiatric symptoms of the child. Multivariate regression analysis revealed adolescence and drug-related adverse events as significant predictors for lower HRQOL in TSC children, and TSC2 variants predicted lower QOL and depressive symptoms in caregivers. CONCLUSION Compared with other chronic diseases, such as headache, diabetes or obesity, children with TSC have significantly lower HRQOL, which further decreases during adolescence. A decreased HRQOL of patients correlates with a lower QOL and increased symptoms of depression of their caregivers. These results may improve the comprehensive therapy and care of children and adolescents with TSC and their families and caregivers. TRIAL REGISTRATION DRKS, DRKS00016045. Registered 01 March 2019, http://www.drks.de/DRKS00016045.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laurent M Willems
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Susanne Schubert-Bast
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Department of Neuropediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Janina Grau
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Thomas Bast
- Epilepsy Center Kork, Clinic for Children and Adolescents, Kehl-Kork, Germany
| | - Astrid Bertsche
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Rostock, Germany
| | | | - Barbara Fiedler
- Department of General Pediatrics, Division of Neuropediatrics, University Hospital Münster, Germany
| | - Andreas Hahn
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, Gießen, Germany
| | - Hans Hartmann
- Clinic for Pediatric Kidney, Liver and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Frauke Hornemann
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Leipzig University Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ilka Immisch
- Epilepsy Center Hessen and Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Julia Jacobs
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Center for Pediatrics, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg i.Br., Germany; Department of Pediatrics and Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Matthias Kieslich
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Department of Neuropediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Karl Martin Klein
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Departments of Clinical Neurosciences, Medical Genetics and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute & Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Kerstin A Klotz
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Center for Pediatrics, Medical Center, University of Freiburg, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg i.Br., Germany; Berta-Ottenstein-Programme, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg i.Br., Germany
| | - Gerhard Kluger
- Clinic for Neuropediatrics and Neurorehabilitation, Epilepsy Center for Children and Adolescents, Schön Clinic Vogtareuth, Germany; Research Institute, Rehabilitation, Transition and Palliation, PMU Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Markus Knuf
- Department of Pediatrics, Klinikum Worms, Worms, Germany; Department of Pediatrics, University Medicine Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Thomas Mayer
- Epilepsy Center Kleinwachau, Dresden-Radeberg, Germany
| | - Klaus Marquard
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Psychosomatics and Pain management, Klinikum Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Sascha Meyer
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University Children's Hospital of Saarland, Homburg, Germany
| | - Hiltrud Muhle
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel & University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Germany
| | - Karen Müller-Schlüter
- Epilepsy Center for Children, University Hospital Neuruppin, Brandenburg Medical School, Neuruppin, Germany
| | - Anna H Noda
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Susanne Ruf
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Sauter
- Klinikum Kempten, Klinikverbund Allgäu, Kempten/Allgäu, Germany
| | - Jan-Ulrich Schlump
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University of Witten/Herdecke, Herdecke, Germany
| | - Steffen Syrbe
- Division of Pediatric Epileptology, Centre for Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Charlotte Thiels
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Social Pediatrics, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Regina Trollmann
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bernd Wilken
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Klinikum Kassel, Kassel, Germany
| | - Johann Philipp Zöllner
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Felix Rosenow
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Adam Strzelczyk
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Epilepsy Center Hessen and Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
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22
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Gallop K, Lloyd AJ, Olt J, Marshall J. Impact of developmental and epileptic encephalopathies on caregivers: A literature review. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 124:108324. [PMID: 34607217 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108324] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2021] [Revised: 09/02/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) are rare neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by early-onset seizures and numerous comorbidities. Due to the complex requirements for the care of a child with a DEE, these disorders would be expected to impact health-related quality of life (HRQL) for caregivers as well as for patients. The objective of this literature review was to describe the impact of DEEs on the HRQL, emotional wellbeing, and usual activities (social, work, relationships, etc.) of caregivers, including the wider impact on other family members such as siblings. METHODS A literature search was conducted in May 2020 using MEDLINE® and Embase® databases. Quantitative and qualitative studies were identified using search terms related to family, disease type (including >20 specific DEEs), and quality of life/methodology. Each study was assessed for relevance and was graded using customized critical appraisal criteria. Findings from studies that were given the highest quality ratings were summarized and used to develop a conceptual model to illustrate the complex impact of DEEs on caregiver HRQL. RESULTS Sixty-seven relevant studies were identified, of which 39 (27 quantitative, 12 qualitative) met the highest appraisal criteria. The studies recruited caregivers of patients with one of eight individual DEEs, or pediatric intractable or refractory epilepsy. Most studies reported negative impacts on HRQL and emotional wellbeing in caregivers. The wide-ranging impact of a DEE was highlighted by reports of negative effects on caregivers' physical health, daily activities, relationships, social activities, leisure time, work, and productivity. Factors that influenced the perceived impact included demographic characteristics (e.g., child's age, living arrangements, family income) and clinical factors (e.g., feeding or sleep difficulties, disease severity). Few studies evaluated the impact on siblings. CONCLUSIONS There is evidence that DEEs can impact HRQL and emotional wellbeing and can limit usual activities for the primary caregiver and their wider family. However, no research was identified regarding many individual DEEs, and only limited research assessed the impact on different family members with most studies focusing on mothers. Further research is required to understand the influence of certain factors such as the age of the patient, disease severity, and seizures on caregiver burden. Furthermore, the review highlighted the lack of appropriate measurement tools to assess caregiver HRQL in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katy Gallop
- Acaster Lloyd Consulting Ltd, Lacon House, 84 Theobald's Road, London WC1X 8NL, United Kingdom.
| | - Andrew J Lloyd
- Acaster Lloyd Consulting Ltd, Lacon House, 84 Theobald's Road, London WC1X 8NL, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Olt
- Acaster Lloyd Consulting Ltd, Lacon House, 84 Theobald's Road, London WC1X 8NL, United Kingdom
| | - Jade Marshall
- GW Pharma Ltd, 1 Cavendish Place, London W1G 0QF, United Kingdom
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23
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Dravet syndrome: Effects on informal caregivers' mental health and quality of life - A systematic review. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 122:108206. [PMID: 34280725 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.108206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2021] [Revised: 06/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/29/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Dravet syndrome (DS) is a severe developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, with predictable negative consequences for informal caregivers' mental health. This systematic review aimed to evaluate the representativeness of depression, anxiety, and burden in these caregivers and assess their quality of life. METHODS The PRISMA recommendations were followed, and a comprehensive search was conducted on PubMed/MEDLINE, WoS and Scopus databases, without date or language limits. Only observational quantitative studies on adult informal caregivers of patients with DS were considered. RESULTS Of 876 records found, 21 full-text articles were assessed and only 6 met the inclusion criteria. The latter have mostly a cross-sectional design and include samples composed by 19 to 742 caregivers, mainly mothers/females. Most of the study participants had a Bachelor's degree/higher educational level and were married. An important incidence of depression and anxiety on DS caregivers was reported, with significantly higher levels compared with population norms and with carers of other patients with epilepsy. Depression/anxiety were shown to be significantly associated with caregivers' fatigue and compromised sleep quality. Other important aspects of burden have been identified; however, comparisons between studies were not possible as different scales were used. Caregivers' health-related quality of life is also affected, with mothers reporting a worse perception on this domain. CONCLUSIONS Mental health and quality of life of DS caregivers are compromised, with mothers bearing an apparently greater burden. Studies using validated instruments for this population to assess the previously considered outcomes are needed, in order to inform the development of preventive strategies and problem-oriented interventions.
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Strzelczyk A, Pringsheim M, Mayer T, Polster T, Klotz KA, Muhle H, Alber M, Trollmann R, Spors H, Kluger G, Kurlemann G, Schubert-Bast S. Efficacy, tolerability, and retention of fenfluramine for the treatment of seizures in patients with Dravet syndrome: Compassionate use program in Germany. Epilepsia 2021; 62:2518-2527. [PMID: 34378197 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 07/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Dravet syndrome (DS) is a rare but severe drug-resistant epilepsy. Before the approval of fenfluramine (FFA) for the treatment of seizures in DS, patients in Germany could receive treatment under a compassionate use program (CUP). METHODS We conducted a multicenter, retrospective, observational study to describe the efficacy, tolerability, and retention of FFA within the CUP. Patients received add-on therapy with oral FFA gradually titrated to a target dose between .13 and .7 mg/kg/day. RESULTS Overall, 78 patients with DS (median age = 8.0 years, range = 2.1-46.0; 53% female, median concomitant antiseizure medications [ASMs] = 3) were treated with FFA for a median duration of 255.5 days (range = 31-572). Responder rates (a ≥50% reduction; n = 78) and seizure-freedom rates at 3 months were 68% and 14% for total seizures, respectively, and 67% and 23% for generalized tonic-clonic seizures. Responder rates were consistent at 6 and 12 months (n = 66 and n = 43, respectively). Median seizure days per month significantly decreased from 10.0 (range = .5-30) to 3.0 (range = 0-30) in the 3-month period before and after FFA treatment (p < .001). Significantly fewer patients reported at least one episode of status epilepticus (28% vs. 14% patients before and after FFA initiation, p = .005). During FFA treatment, 35 (45%) patients were able to discontinue a concomitant ASM. At the last follow-up date, 66 (85%) patients remained on treatment with FFA. The most common adverse events were somnolence (36%), decreased appetite (22%), and ataxia (8%). Forty-eight (62%) patients were reported as having a meaningful global clinical improvement. SIGNIFICANCE In a large cohort of patients, FFA demonstrated efficacy across a range of outcomes including clinically significant reductions in convulsive seizures, and was well tolerated, providing valuable information for real-world practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Strzelczyk
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Milka Pringsheim
- Clinic for Neuropediatrics and Neurorehabilitation, Epilepsy Center for Children and Adolescents, Schön Clinic Vogtareuth, Vogtareuth, Germany
| | - Thomas Mayer
- Epilepsy Center Kleinwachau, Dresden-Radeberg, Germany
| | - Tilman Polster
- Department of Epileptology, Bethel Epilepsy Center, Mara Hospital, Bielefeld University, Bielefeld, Germany
| | - Kerstin A Klotz
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Center for Pediatrics, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany.,Berta Ottenstein Program, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Hiltrud Muhle
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Christian-Albrecht University of Kiel and University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Kiel, Germany
| | - Michael Alber
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University of Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Regina Trollmann
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Friedrich-Alexander University Erlangen, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Hartwig Spors
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Justus Liebig University Giessen, Giessen, Germany
| | - Gerhard Kluger
- Clinic for Neuropediatrics and Neurorehabilitation, Epilepsy Center for Children and Adolescents, Schön Clinic Vogtareuth, Vogtareuth, Germany.,Research Institute, Rehabilitation, Transition, and Palliation, Paracelsus Medical University Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Susanne Schubert-Bast
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Department of Neuropediatrics, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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25
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Zöllner JP, Conradi N, Sauter M, Knuf M, Knake S, Kurlemann G, Mayer T, Hertzberg C, Bertsche A, Immisch I, Klein KM, Marquard K, Meyer S, Noda AH, von Podewils F, Schäfer H, Thiels C, Zukunft B, Schubert-Bast S, Grau J, Willems LM, Rosenow F, Reese JP, Strzelczyk A. Quality of life and its predictors in adults with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC): a multicentre cohort study from Germany. Neurol Res Pract 2021; 3:35. [PMID: 34176514 PMCID: PMC8237479 DOI: 10.1186/s42466-021-00130-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a monogenetic, multisystemic disease characterised by the formation of benign tumours that can affect almost all organs, caused by pathogenic variations in TSC1 or TSC2. In this multicentre study from Germany, we investigated the influence of sociodemographic, clinical, and therapeutic factors on quality of life (QoL) among individuals with TSC. Methods We assessed sociodemographic and clinical characteristics and QoL among adults with TSC throughout Germany using a validated, three-month, retrospective questionnaire. We examined predictors of health-related QoL (HRQoL) using multiple linear regression analysis and compared the QoL among patients with TSC with QoL among patients with other chronic neurological disorders. Results We enrolled 121 adults with TSC (mean age: 31.0 ± 10.5 years; range: 18–61 years, 45.5% [n = 55] women). Unemployment, a higher grade of disability, a higher number of organ manifestations, the presence of neuropsychiatric manifestations or active epilepsy, and a higher burden of therapy-related adverse events were associated with worse QoL, as measured by two QoL instruments (EuroQoL-5 dimensions [EQ-5D] and Quality of Life in Epilepsy Patients [QOLIE-31]). Neuropsychiatric and structural nervous system manifestations, the number of affected organs, and therapy-related adverse events were also associated with higher depression, as measured by the Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (NDDI-E). In multiple regression analysis, more severe therapy-related adverse events (large effect, p < 0.001), active epilepsy (large effect, p < 0.001), and neuropsychiatric manifestations (medium effect, p = 0.003) were independently associated with worse HRQoL, explaining 65% of the variance (p < 0.001). The HRQoL among patients with active TSC-associated epilepsy was worse than that among patients with drug-refractory mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (p < 0.001), and the generic QoL among patients with more than three TSC organ manifestations was similar to those of patients with severe migraine and uncontrolled asthma. Conclusions Active epilepsy, neuropsychiatric manifestations (such as anxiety and depression), and therapy-related adverse events are important independent predictors of worse quality of life among adults with TSC. Generic quality of life in TSC with several manifestations is similar to uncontrolled severe chronic diseases and significantly negatively correlates with TSC severity. Trial registration DRKS, DRKS00016045. Registered 01 March 2019.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johann Philipp Zöllner
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16 (Haus 95), 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Nadine Conradi
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16 (Haus 95), 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Matthias Sauter
- Klinikum Kempten, Klinikverbund Allgäu, Kempten/Allgäu, Germany
| | - Markus Knuf
- Department of Pediatrics, Klinikum Worms, Worms, Germany.,Department of Pediatrics, University Medicine Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Susanne Knake
- Epilepsy Center Hessen and Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg (Lahn), Germany
| | | | | | | | - Astrid Bertsche
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Rostock, Germany
| | - Ilka Immisch
- Epilepsy Center Hessen and Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg (Lahn), Germany
| | - Karl Martin Klein
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16 (Haus 95), 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Departments of Clinical Neurosciences, Medical Genetics, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute & Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Klaus Marquard
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Psychosomatics and Pain Management, Klinikum Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Sascha Meyer
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University Children's Hospital of Saarland, Homburg, Germany
| | - Anna H Noda
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16 (Haus 95), 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Felix von Podewils
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Hannah Schäfer
- Division of Nephrology, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der LMU München - Innenstadt, Munich, Germany.,Department of Nephrology, Klinikum rechts der Isar, Technische Universität München, Munich, Germany
| | - Charlotte Thiels
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Social Pediatrics, Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Bianca Zukunft
- Department of Nephrology and Internal Intensive Care, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Schubert-Bast
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16 (Haus 95), 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Department of Neuropediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Janina Grau
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16 (Haus 95), 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Laurent M Willems
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16 (Haus 95), 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Felix Rosenow
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16 (Haus 95), 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jens-Peter Reese
- Institute of Clinical Epidemiology and Biometry, University of Würzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Adam Strzelczyk
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16 (Haus 95), 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. .,Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. .,Epilepsy Center Hessen and Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg (Lahn), Germany.
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Grau J, Zöllner JP, Schubert-Bast S, Kurlemann G, Hertzberg C, Wiemer-Kruel A, Bast T, Bertsche A, Bettendorf U, Fiedler B, Hahn A, Hartmann H, Hornemann F, Immisch I, Jacobs J, Kieslich M, Klein KM, Klotz KA, Kluger G, Knuf M, Mayer T, Marquard K, Meyer S, Muhle H, Müller-Schlüter K, Noda AH, Ruf S, Sauter M, Schlump JU, Syrbe S, Thiels C, Trollmann R, Wilken B, Willems LM, Rosenow F, Strzelczyk A. Direct and indirect costs and cost-driving factors of Tuberous sclerosis complex in children, adolescents, and caregivers: a multicenter cohort study. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2021; 16:282. [PMID: 34154622 PMCID: PMC8218507 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-021-01899-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2020] [Accepted: 05/29/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), a multisystem genetic disorder, affects many organs and systems, characterized by benign growths. This German multicenter study estimated the disease-specific costs and cost-driving factors associated with various organ manifestations in TSC patients. METHODS A validated, three-month, retrospective questionnaire was administered to assess the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, organ manifestations, direct, indirect, out-of-pocket, and nursing care-level costs, completed by caregivers of patients with TSC throughout Germany. RESULTS The caregivers of 184 patients (mean age 9.8 ± 5.3 years, range 0.7-21.8 years) submitted questionnaires. The reported TSC disease manifestations included epilepsy (92%), skin disorders (86%), structural brain disorders (83%), heart and circulatory system disorders (67%), kidney and urinary tract disorders (53%), and psychiatric disorders (51%). Genetic variations in TSC2 were reported in 46% of patients, whereas 14% were reported in TSC1. Mean total direct health care costs were EUR 4949 [95% confidence interval (95% CI) EUR 4088-5863, median EUR 2062] per patient over three months. Medication costs represented the largest direct cost category (54% of total direct costs, mean EUR 2658), with mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors representing the largest share (47%, EUR 2309). The cost of anti-seizure drugs (ASDs) accounted for a mean of only EUR 260 (5%). Inpatient costs (21%, EUR 1027) and ancillary therapy costs (8%, EUR 407) were also important direct cost components. The mean nursing care-level costs were EUR 1163 (95% CI EUR 1027-1314, median EUR 1635) over three months. Total indirect costs totaled a mean of EUR 2813 (95% CI EUR 2221-3394, median EUR 215) for mothers and EUR 372 (95% CI EUR 193-586, median EUR 0) for fathers. Multiple regression analyses revealed polytherapy with two or more ASDs and the use of mTOR inhibitors as independent cost-driving factors of total direct costs. Disability and psychiatric disease were independent cost-driving factors for total indirect costs as well as for nursing care-level costs. CONCLUSIONS This study revealed substantial direct (including medication), nursing care-level, and indirect costs associated with TSC over three months, highlighting the spectrum of organ manifestations and their treatment needs in the German healthcare setting. TRIAL REGISTRATION DRKS, DRKS00016045. Registered 01 March 2019, http://www.drks.de/DRKS00016045.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janina Grau
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16 (Haus 95), 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Johann Philipp Zöllner
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16 (Haus 95), 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Susanne Schubert-Bast
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16 (Haus 95), 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Thomas Bast
- Epilepsy Center Kork, Clinic for Children and Adolescents, Kehl-Kork, Germany
| | - Astrid Bertsche
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Rostock, Germany
| | | | - Barbara Fiedler
- Department of General Pediatrics, Division of Neuropediatrics, University Hospital Münster, Münster, Germany
| | - Andreas Hahn
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Justus-Liebig-University Gießen, Gießen, Germany
| | - Hans Hartmann
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Clinic for Pediatric Kidney, Liver and Metabolic Diseases, Hannover Medical School, Hannover, Germany
| | - Frauke Hornemann
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Leipzig University Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Ilka Immisch
- Epilepsy Center Hessen and Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg (Lahn), Germany
| | - Julia Jacobs
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Center for Pediatrics, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg i.Br., Germany
- Department of Pediatrics and Clinical Neurosciences, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Matthias Kieslich
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16 (Haus 95), 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Karl Martin Klein
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16 (Haus 95), 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Departments of Clinical Neurosciences, Medical Genetics and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute & Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Kerstin A Klotz
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Muscle Disorders, Center for Pediatrics, Medical Center, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg i.Br., Germany
- Berta-Ottenstein-Programme, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg i.Br., Germany
| | - Gerhard Kluger
- Clinic for Neuropediatrics and Neurorehabilitation, Epilepsy Center for Children and Adolescents, Schön Clinic Vogtareuth, Vogtareuth, Germany
- Research Institute, Rehabilitation, Transition and Palliation, PMU Salzburg, Salzburg, Austria
| | - Markus Knuf
- Department of Pediatrics, Klinikum Worms, Worms, Germany
- Department of Pediatrics, University Medicine Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Thomas Mayer
- Epilepsy Center Kleinwachau, Dresden-Radeberg, Germany
| | - Klaus Marquard
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Psychosomatics and Pain Management, Klinikum Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Sascha Meyer
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Children's Hospital at University Medical Center Homburg, Homburg, Germany
| | - Hiltrud Muhle
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Christian-Albrechts-University Kiel & University Hospital Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Karen Müller-Schlüter
- Epilepsy Center for Children, Brandenburg Medical School, University Hospital Neuruppin, Neuruppin, Germany
| | - Anna H Noda
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16 (Haus 95), 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Susanne Ruf
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University Hospital Tübingen, Tübingen, Germany
| | - Matthias Sauter
- Klinikum Kempten, Klinikverbund Allgäu, Kempten (Allgäu), Germany
| | - Jan-Ulrich Schlump
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University of Witten/Herdecke, Herdecke, Germany
| | - Steffen Syrbe
- Division of Pediatric Epileptology, Centre for Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, University Hospital Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Charlotte Thiels
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Socialpediatrics, University Hospital of Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Regina Trollmann
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Friedrich-Alexander University of Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Bernd Wilken
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Klinikum Kassel, Kassel, Germany
| | - Laurent M Willems
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16 (Haus 95), 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Felix Rosenow
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16 (Haus 95), 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
- Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Adam Strzelczyk
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16 (Haus 95), 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
- Epilepsy Center Hessen and Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg (Lahn), Germany.
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Zöllner JP, Grau J, Rosenow F, Sauter M, Knuf M, Kurlemann G, Mayer T, Hertzberg C, Bertsche A, Immisch I, Klein KM, Knake S, Marquard K, Meyer S, Noda AH, von Podewils F, Schäfer H, Thiels C, Willems LM, Zukunft B, Schubert-Bast S, Strzelczyk A. Direct and indirect costs and cost-driving factors in adults with tuberous sclerosis complex: a multicenter cohort study and a review of the literature. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2021; 16:250. [PMID: 34078440 PMCID: PMC8170458 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-021-01838-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Accepted: 04/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a monogenetic, multisystem disorder characterized by benign growths due to TSC1 or TSC2 mutations. This German multicenter study estimated the costs and related cost drivers associated with organ manifestations in adults with TSC. Methods A validated, three-month, retrospective questionnaire assessed the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics, organ manifestations, direct, indirect, out-of-pocket (OOP), and nursing care-level costs among adult individuals with TSC throughout Germany from a societal perspective (costing year: 2019). Results We enrolled 192 adults with TSC (mean age: 33.4 ± 12.7 years; range: 18–78 years, 51.6% [n = 99] women). Reported TSC disease manifestations included skin (94.8%) and kidney and urinary tract (74%) disorders, epilepsy (72.9%), structural brain defects (67.2%), psychiatric disorders (50.5%), heart and circulatory system disorders (50.5%), and lymphangioleiomyomatosis (11.5%). TSC1 and TSC2 mutations were reported in 16.7% and 25% of respondents, respectively. Mean direct health care costs totaled EUR 6452 (median EUR 1920; 95% confidence interval [CI] EUR 5533–7422) per patient over three months. Medication costs represented the major direct cost category (77% of total direct costs; mean EUR 4953), and mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors represented the largest share (68%, EUR 4358). Mean antiseizure drug (ASD) costs were only EUR 415 (6%). Inpatient costs (8%, EUR 518) and outpatient treatment costs (7%; EUR 467) were important further direct cost components. The mean care grade allowance as an approximator of informal nursing care costs was EUR 929 (median EUR 0; 95% CI EUR 780–1083) over three months. Mean indirect costs totaled EUR 3174 (median EUR 0; 95% CI EUR 2503–3840) among working-age individuals (< 67 years in Germany). Multiple regression analyses revealed mTOR inhibitor use and persistent seizures as independent cost-driving factors for total direct costs. Older age and disability were independent cost-driving factors for total indirect costs, whereas epilepsy, psychiatric disease, and disability were independent cost-driving factors for nursing care costs. Conclusions This three-month study revealed substantial direct healthcare, indirect healthcare, and medication costs associated with TSC in Germany. This study highlights the spectrum of organ manifestations and their associated treatment needs in the German healthcare setting. Trial registration: DRKS, DRKS00016045. Registered 01 March 2019, http://www.drks.de/DRKS00016045. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13023-021-01838-w.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johann Philipp Zöllner
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Janina Grau
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Felix Rosenow
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Matthias Sauter
- Klinikum Kempten, Klinikverbund Allgäu, Kempten/Allgäu, Germany
| | - Markus Knuf
- Department of Pediatrics, Helios Dr. Horst Schmidt Clinic Wiesbaden, Wiesbaden, Germany.,Department of Pediatrics, University Medicine Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Astrid Bertsche
- Department of Neuropediatrics, University Hospital for Children and Adolescents, Rostock, Germany
| | - Ilka Immisch
- Epilepsy Center Hessen and Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg (Lahn), Germany
| | - Karl Martin Klein
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Departments of Clinical Neurosciences, Medical Genetics, and Community Health Sciences, Hotchkiss Brain Institute and Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, AB, Canada
| | - Susanne Knake
- Epilepsy Center Hessen and Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg (Lahn), Germany
| | - Klaus Marquard
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Psychosomatics and Pain Management, Klinikum Stuttgart, Stuttgart, Germany
| | - Sascha Meyer
- Department of Neuropediatrics, Children's Hospital at University Medical Center Homburg, Homburg, Germany
| | - Anna H Noda
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Felix von Podewils
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Center, University Medicine Greifswald, Greifswald, Germany
| | - Hannah Schäfer
- Division of Nephrology, Medizinische Klinik und Poliklinik IV, Klinikum der LMU München - Innenstadt, München, Germany.,Department of Nephrology, Klinikum Rechts Der Isar, Technische Universität München, München, Germany
| | - Charlotte Thiels
- Department of Neuropediatrics and Socialpediatrics, University Hospital of Ruhr University Bochum, Bochum, Germany
| | - Laurent M Willems
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Bianca Zukunft
- Department of Nephrology and Internal Intensive Care, Charité - University Medicine Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Susanne Schubert-Bast
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Department of Neuropediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Adam Strzelczyk
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16, 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. .,Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. .,Epilepsy Center Hessen and Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg (Lahn), Germany.
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Strzelczyk A, Lagae L, Kurlemann G, Flege S, Bast T, Polster T, Pringsheim M, von Spiczak S, Hipp P, Schubert-Bast S. Klinische Charakteristika und Lebensqualität beim Dravet-Syndrom: Ergebnisse der deutschen Kohorte des „Dravet syndrome caregiver survey“ (DISCUSS). Monatsschr Kinderheilkd 2021. [DOI: 10.1007/s00112-021-01153-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Zusammenfassung
Hintergrund
Das Dravet-Syndrom (DS) ist ein seltenes, in der frühen Kindheit beginnendes, therapierefraktäres Epilepsiesyndrom, das mit einer hohen Morbidität und Mortalität verbunden ist.
Fragestellung
Ziele der Querschnittsstudie „Dravet syndrome caregiver survey“ (DISCUSS) sind die Identifizierung und Beschreibung der Faktoren, die einen Einfluss auf die Krankheitslast von Patienten mit DS und ihre Betreuer haben können. Die Ergebnisse der deutschen Kohorte werden vorgestellt.
Material und Methoden
Die Datenerhebung erfolgte durch eine anonyme Befragung von Eltern. Die Ergebnisse wurden für die verschiedenen Altersgruppen statistisch ausgewertet.
Ergebnisse
Der Fragebogen wurde von 68 Eltern der DS-Patienten mit einem durchschnittlichen Alter von 10 Jahren (Median: 9, Spanne: 1–26) ausgefüllt. Nur 3 Patienten (4,4 %) waren in den letzten 3 Monaten anfallsfrei. Insgesamt hatten 97 % der Patienten, die älter als 5 Jahre waren (n = 45), mindestens eine Komorbidität. Die zum Befragungszeitpunkt am häufigsten eingenommenen Antiepileptika waren Valproat, Kaliumbromid, Stiripentol, Clobazam und Topiramat. In der Vergangenheit wurden Natriumkanalblocker, Phenobarbital und Levetiracetam eingesetzt, aktuell fanden diese Antiepileptika nur selten Verwendung. Die Lebensqualität der Patienten war niedriger als die der Allgemeinbevölkerung. Die Erkrankung eines Familienmitglieds mit DS beeinflusst Eltern und Geschwister in hohem Maße.
Diskussion
Trotz individueller Kombinationstherapien sind die meisten Patienten mit DS nicht anfallsfrei. Insgesamt hat sich der Einsatz von beim DS wenig wirksamer Medikamente und der kontraindizierten Natriumkanalblocker zugunsten von wirksameren Medikamenten verschoben. Neue Therapie- und Versorgungskonzepte sind notwendig, um die Versorgung der Patienten mit DS zu verbessern und Eltern und Geschwister zu entlasten.
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Strzelczyk A, Schubert-Bast S, Simon A, Wyatt G, Holland R, Rosenow F. Epidemiology, healthcare resource use, and mortality in patients with probable Lennox-Gastaut syndrome: A population-based study on German health insurance data. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 115:107647. [PMID: 33358132 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107647] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2020] [Revised: 11/16/2020] [Accepted: 11/17/2020] [Indexed: 10/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This retrospective study examined patients with probable Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) identified from German healthcare data. METHODS This 10-year study (2007-2016) assessed healthcare insurance claims information from the Vilua Healthcare research database. A selection algorithm considering diagnoses and drug prescriptions identified patients with probable LGS. To increase the sensitivity of the identification algorithm, two populations were defined: all patients with probable LGS (broadly defined) and only those with a documented epilepsy diagnosis before 6 years of age (narrowly defined). This specific criterion was used as LGS typically has a peak seizure onset between age 3 and 5 years. Primary analyses were prevalence and demographics; secondary analyses included healthcare costs, hospitalization rate and length of stay (LOS), medication use, and mortality. RESULTS In the final year of the study, 545 patients with broadly defined probable LGS (mean [range] age: 31.4 [2-89] years; male: 53%) were identified. Using the narrowly defined probable LGS definition, the number of patients was reduced to 102 (mean [range] age: 7.4 [2-14] years; male: 52%). Prevalence of broadly defined and narrowly defined probable LGS was 39.2 and 6.5 per 100,000 people. During the 10-year study, 208 patients with narrowly defined probable LGS were identified and followed up for 1379 patient-years. The mean annual cost of healthcare was €22,787 per patient-year (PPY); greatest costs were attributable to inpatient care (33%), home nursing care (13%), and medication (10%). Mean annual healthcare costs were significantly greater for those with prescribed rescue medication (45% of patient-years) versus those without (€33,872 vs. €13,785 PPY, p < 0.001). Mean (standard deviation [SD]) annual hospitalization rate was 1.6 (2.0) PPY with mean (SD) annual LOS of 22.7 (46.0) days. Annual hospitalization rate was significantly greater in those who were prescribed rescue medication versus those who were not (2.2 [2.3] vs. 1.1 [1.6] PPY, p < 0.001). The mean (SD) number of different medications prescribed was 11.3 (7.3) PPY and 33.8 (17.0) over the entire observable time per patient (OET); antiepileptic drugs only accounted for 2.1 (1.1) of the medications prescribed PPY and 3.8 (2.0) OET. Over the 10-year study period, mortality in patients with narrowly defined probable LGS was significantly higher than the matched control population (six events [2.88%] vs. oneevent [0.01%], p < 0.001). CONCLUSION Annual healthcare costs incurred by patients with probable LGS in Germany were substantial, and mostly attributable to inpatient care, home nursing care, and medication. Patients prescribed with rescue medication incurred significantly greater costs than those who were not. Patients with narrowly defined probable LGS had a higher mortality rate versus control populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Strzelczyk
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Frankfurt and Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Susanne Schubert-Bast
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Frankfurt and Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Department of Neuropediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | | | - Geoffrey Wyatt
- Market Access and Health Economics and Outcomes Research, GW Pharma Ltd, London, UK.
| | - Rowena Holland
- Market Access and Health Economics and Outcomes Research, GW Pharma Ltd, London, UK.
| | - Felix Rosenow
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Frankfurt and Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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Efficacy, Retention and Tolerability of Everolimus in Patients with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex: A Survey-Based Study on Patients' Perspectives. CNS Drugs 2021; 35:1107-1122. [PMID: 34275102 PMCID: PMC8478774 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-021-00839-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The approval of everolimus (EVE) for the treatment of angiomyolipoma (2013), subependymal giant cell astrocytoma (2013) and drug-refractory epilepsy (2017) in patients with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) represents the first disease-modifying treatment option available for this rare and complex genetic disorder. OBJECTIVE The objective of this study was to analyse the use, efficacy, tolerability and treatment retention of EVE in patients with TSC in Germany from the patient's perspective. METHODS A structured cross-age survey was conducted at 26 specialised TSC centres in Germany and by the German TSC patient advocacy group between February and July 2019, enrolling children, adolescents and adult patients with TSC. RESULTS Of 365 participants, 36.7% (n = 134) reported the current or past intake of EVE, including 31.5% (n = 115) who were taking EVE at study entry. The mean EVE dosage was 6.1 ± 2.9 mg/m2 (median: 5.6 mg/m2, range 2.0-15.1 mg/m2) in children and adolescents and 4 ± 2.1 mg/m2 (median: 3.7 mg/m2, range 0.8-10.1 mg/m2) in adult patients. An early diagnosis of TSC, the presence of angiomyolipoma, drug-refractory epilepsy, neuropsychiatric manifestations, subependymal giant cell astrocytoma, cardiac rhabdomyoma and overall multi-organ involvement were associated with the use of EVE as a disease-modifying treatment. The reported efficacy was 64.0% for angiomyolipoma (75% in adult patients), 66.2% for drug-refractory epilepsy, and 54.4% for subependymal giant cell astrocytoma. The overall retention rate for EVE was 85.8%. The retention rates after 12 months of EVE therapy were higher among adults (93.7%) than among children and adolescents (88.7%; 90.5% vs 77.4% after 24 months; 87.3% vs 77.4% after 36 months). Tolerability was acceptable, with 70.9% of patients overall reporting adverse events, including stomatitis (47.0%), acne-like rash (7.7%), increased susceptibility to common infections and lymphoedema (each 6.0%), which were the most frequently reported symptoms. With a total score of 41.7 compared with 36.8 among patients not taking EVE, patients currently being treated with EVE showed an increased Liverpool Adverse Event Profile. Noticeable deviations in the sub-items 'tiredness', 'skin problems' and 'mouth/gum problems', which are likely related to EVE-typical adverse effects, were more frequently reported among patients taking EVE. CONCLUSIONS From the patients' perspective, EVE is an effective and relatively well-tolerated disease-modifying treatment option for children, adolescents and adults with TSC, associated with a high long-term retention rate that can be individually considered for each patient. Everolimus therapy should ideally be supervised by a centre experienced in the use of mechanistic target of rapamycin inhibitors, and adverse effects should be monitored on a regular basis.
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Elliott J, DeJean D, Potter BK, Coyle D, Clifford T, McCoy B, Wells GA. Barriers in accessing medical cannabis for children with drug-resistant epilepsy in Canada: A qualitative study. Epilepsy Behav 2020; 111:107120. [PMID: 32570201 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107120] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/24/2019] [Revised: 04/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The use of medical cannabis to treat drug-resistant epilepsy in children is increasing; however, there has been limited study of the experiences of parents with the current system of accessing medical cannabis for their children. METHODS In this qualitative study, we used a patient-centered access to care framework to explore the barriers faced by parents of children with drug-resistant epilepsy when trying to access medical cannabis in Canada. We conducted semistructured interviews with 19 parents to elicit their experiences with medical cannabis. We analyzed the data according to five dimensions of access, namely approachability, acceptability, availability, affordability, and appropriateness. RESULTS Parents sought medical cannabis as a treatment because of a perceived unmet need stemming from the failure of antiepileptic drugs to control their children's seizures. Medical cannabis was viewed as an acceptable treatment, especially compared with adding additional antiepileptic drugs. After learning about medical cannabis from the media, friends and family, or other parents, participants sought authorization for medical use. However, most encountered resistance from their child's neurologist to discuss and/or authorize medical cannabis, and many parents experienced difficulty in obtaining authorization from a member of the child's existing care team, leading them to seek authorization from a cannabis clinic. Participants described spending up to $2000 per month on medical cannabis, and most were frustrated that it was not eligible for reimbursement through public or private insurance programs. CONCLUSIONS Parents pursue medical cannabis as a treatment for their children's drug-resistant epilepsy because of a perceived unmet need. However, parents encounter barriers in accessing medical cannabis in Canada, and strategies are needed to ensure that children using medical cannabis receive proper care from healthcare professionals with training in epilepsy care, antiepileptic drugs, and medical cannabis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse Elliott
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada; Cardiovascular Research Methods Centre, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Canada.
| | | | - Beth K Potter
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Doug Coyle
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Tammy Clifford
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Bláthnaid McCoy
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Division of Neurology, The Hospital for Sick Children Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - George A Wells
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Canada; Cardiovascular Research Methods Centre, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, Ottawa, Canada
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Elliott J, McCoy B, Clifford T, Potter BK, Wells GA, Coyle D. Economic Evaluation of Cannabinoid Oil for Dravet Syndrome: A Cost-Utility Analysis. PHARMACOECONOMICS 2020; 38:971-980. [PMID: 32406036 DOI: 10.1007/s40273-020-00923-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Cannabinoid oils are being increasingly used to treat Dravet syndrome, yet the long-term costs and outcomes of this approach are unknown. Thus, we examined the cost effectiveness of cannabinoid oil as an adjunctive treatment (added to clobazam and valproate), compared with adjunctive stiripentol or with clobazam and valproate alone, for the treatment of Dravet syndrome in children. METHODS We performed a probabilistic cost-utility analysis from the perspective of the Canadian public health care system, comparing cannabinoid oil and stiripentol (both on a background of clobazam and valproate) with clobazam and valproate alone. Costs and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) were estimated using a Markov model that followed a cohort of children aged from 5 to 18 years through model states related to seizure frequency. Model inputs were obtained from the literature. The cost effectiveness of adjunctive cannabinoid oil, adjunctive stiripentol, and clobazam/valproate alone was assessed through sequential analysis. The influence of perspective and other assumptions were explored in scenario analyses. All costs are expressed in 2019 Canadian dollars, and costs and QALYs were discounted at a rate of 1.5% per year. RESULTS The incremental cost per QALY gained with the use of adjunctive cannabinoid oil, from the health care system perspective, was $32,399 compared with clobazam and valproate. Stiripentol was dominated by cannabinoid oil, producing fewer QALYs at higher costs. At a willingness-to-pay threshold of $50,000, cannabinoid oil was the optimal treatment in 76% of replications. From a societal perspective, cannabinoid oil dominated stiripentol and clobazam/valproate. The interpretation of the results was insensitive to model and input assumptions. CONCLUSION Compared with clobazam/valproate, adjunctive cannabinoid oil may be a cost-effective treatment for Dravet syndrome, if a decision maker is willing to pay at least $32,399 for each QALY gained. The opportunity costs of continuing to fund stiripentol, but not cannabinoid oil, should be considered.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesse Elliott
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
- Cardiovascular Research Methods Centre, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, 40 Ruskin Street, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Bláthnaid McCoy
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Division of Neurology, The Hospital for Sick Children Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Tammy Clifford
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Beth K Potter
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - George A Wells
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
- Cardiovascular Research Methods Centre, University of Ottawa Heart Institute, 40 Ruskin Street, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Doug Coyle
- School of Epidemiology and Public Health, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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Strzelczyk A, Schubert-Bast S. Therapeutic advances in Dravet syndrome: a targeted literature review. Expert Rev Neurother 2020; 20:1065-1079. [PMID: 32799683 DOI: 10.1080/14737175.2020.1801423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/31/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Dravet syndrome (DS), a prototypic developmental and genetic epileptic encephalopathy (DEE), is characterized by an early onset of treatment-refractory seizures, together with impairments in motor control, behavior, and cognition. Even with multiple conventional anti-epileptic drugs, seizures remain poorly controlled, and there has been a considerable unmet need for effective and tolerable treatments. AREAS COVERED This targeted literature review aims to highlight recent changes to the therapeutic landscape for DS by summarizing the most up-to-date, evidence-based research, including pivotal data from the clinical development of stiripentol, cannabidiol, and fenfluramine, which are important milestones for DS treatment, together with the latest findings of other pharmacotherapies in development. In phase III, double-blind, placebo-controlled randomized controlled trials stiripentol, cannabidiol, and fenfluramine have shown clinically relevant reductions in convulsive seizure frequency, and are generally well tolerated. Stiripentol was associated with responder rates (greater than 50% reduction in convulsive seizure frequency) of 67%-71%, when added to valproic acid and clobazam; cannabidiol was associated with responder rates of 43%-49% (48%-63% in conjunction with clobazam), and fenfluramine of 54%-68% across studies. Therapies in development include soticlestat, ataluren, verapamil, and clemizole, with strategies to treat the underlying cause of DS, including gene therapy and antisense oligonucleotides beginning to emerge from preclinical studies. EXPERT OPINION Despite the challenges of drug development in rare diseases, this is an exciting time for the treatment of DS, with the promise of new efficacious and well-tolerated therapies, which may pave the way for treatment advances in other DEEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Strzelczyk
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Goethe-University Frankfurt , Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,LOEWE Center for Personalized and Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt , Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Susanne Schubert-Bast
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Goethe-University Frankfurt , Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,LOEWE Center for Personalized and Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt , Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Department of Neuropediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt , Frankfurt am Main, Germany
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Zöllner JP, Franz DN, Hertzberg C, Nabbout R, Rosenow F, Sauter M, Schubert-Bast S, Wiemer-Kruel A, Strzelczyk A. A systematic review on the burden of illness in individuals with tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC). Orphanet J Rare Dis 2020; 15:23. [PMID: 31964424 PMCID: PMC6975094 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-019-1258-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 66] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2019] [Accepted: 11/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective This review will summarize current knowledge on the burden of illness (BOI) in tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), a multisystem genetic disorder manifesting with hamartomas throughout the body, including mainly the kidneys, brain, skin, eyes, heart, and lungs. Methods We performed a systematic analysis of the available literature on BOI in TSC according to the PRISMA guidelines. All studies irrespective of participant age that reported on individual and societal measures of disease burden (e.g. health care resource use, costs, quality of life) were included. Results We identified 33 studies reporting BOI in TSC patients. Most studies (21) reported health care resource use, while 14 studies reported quality of life and 10 studies mentioned costs associated with TSC. Only eight research papers reported caregiver BOI. Substantial BOI occurs from most manifestations of the disorder, particularly from pharmacoresistant epilepsy, neuropsychiatric, renal and skin manifestations. While less frequent, pulmonary complications also lead to a high individual BOI. The range for the mean annual direct costs varied widely between 424 and 98,008 International Dollar purchasing power parities (PPP-$). Brain surgery, end-stage renal disease with dialysis, and pulmonary complications all incur particularly high costs. There is a dearth of information regarding indirect costs in TSC. Mortality overall is increased compared to general population; and most TSC related deaths occur as a result of complications from seizures as well as renal complications. Long term studies report mortality between 4.8 and 8.3% for a follow-up of 8 to 17.4 years. Conclusions TSC patients and their caregivers have a high burden of illness, and TSC patients incur high costs in health care systems. At the same time, the provision of inadequate treatment that does not adhere to published guidelines is common and centralized TSC care is received by no more than half of individuals who need it, especially adults. Further studies focusing on the cost effectiveness and BOI outcomes of coordinated TSC care as well as of new treatment options such as mTOR inhibitors are necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Johann Philipp Zöllner
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,LOEWE Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - David Neal Franz
- Children's Hospital Medical Center, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Christoph Hertzberg
- Zentrum für Sozialpädiatrie & Neuropädiatrie (DBZ), Vivantes Klinikum Neukölln, Berlin, Germany
| | - Rima Nabbout
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Necker Enfants Malades Hospital, Paris Descartes University, Imagine Institute UMR1136, Paris, France
| | - Felix Rosenow
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,LOEWE Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Susanne Schubert-Bast
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,LOEWE Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.,Department of Neuropediatrics, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Adam Strzelczyk
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. .,LOEWE Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe-University Frankfurt, Frankfurt am Main, Germany. .,Epilepsy Center Hessen and Department of Neurology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg (Lahn), Germany. .,Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-16 (Haus 95), 60528, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
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Seizure management and prescription patterns of anticonvulsants in Dravet syndrome: A multicenter cohort study from Germany and review of literature. Epilepsy Behav 2019; 98:88-95. [PMID: 31301455 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.06.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2019] [Revised: 06/11/2019] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to describe the treatment pattern of patients with Dravet syndrome (DS) in Germany with routine antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and emergency medication, and to review the literature of real-world evidence on medicine utilization of patients with DS in Europe. METHODS Patient use of routine AEDs and emergency medications over 3-6 months was analyzed from a 2018 multicenter survey of 93 caregivers of patients with DS throughout Germany. Results were contextualized in a review of real-world evidence on medicine utilization of patients with DS in Europe. RESULTS The variety of medications and the most frequent combinations routinely used by patients with DS (AEDs and others) are described. Patients use a large number of pharmaceutical treatments to manage seizures. The five most commonly used AEDs were sodium valproate (66% of the patients; mean daily dose: 660 mg; 24.5 mg per kg bodyweight), bromide (44%; 1462 mg; 51.2 mg per kg), clobazam (41%; 10.4 mg; 0.32 mg per kg), stiripentol (35%; 797 mg; 27.6 mg per kg), and topiramate (24%; 107 mg; 3.5 mg per kg). Ninety percent had reported using emergency medications in the last 3 months;, with the most common medications being Buccolam (40%, an oromucosal form of midazolam) and diazepam (20%, mostly rectal application). No discernable relationships between current medication and age or seizure frequency were observed. SIGNIFICANCE This is the first comprehensive report of routine AEDs and emergency medication use in a large sample of patients with DS in Germany over a period of 3-6 months and shows that despite the most common AED combinations being in line with clinical guidelines/best practice, there is no discernable impact of best treatment on seizure frequency. We find a higher use of bromide in Germany compared with other real-world evidence in Europe.
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