Dureau-Pournin C, Pédespan JM, Droz-Perroteau C, Lavernhe G, Mann M, Pollet C, Robinson P, Jové J, Moore N, Fourrier-Réglat A. Continuation rates of levetiracetam in children from the EULEVp cohort study.
Eur J Paediatr Neurol 2014;
18:19-24. [PMID:
24035600 DOI:
10.1016/j.ejpn.2013.07.003]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2012] [Revised: 07/17/2013] [Accepted: 07/19/2013] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Since indication extension to children data regarding the effectiveness of levetiracetam in paediatric patients remains limited.
AIMS
Investigate the real-life effectiveness of levetiracetam in paediatric patients.
METHODS
Epileptic children (<16 years) who had initiated levetiracetam between 1 October 2006 and 31 March 2007 were included and followed for 1 year by hospital or non-hospital neurologists practising in France.
RESULTS
Among the 156 identified children, 147 were analysed: 51.7% were female, and mean (SD) age was 9.2 years (4.2). Most patients had either partial symptomatic (30.6%) or partial cryptogenic (26.5%) epilepsy, 92.5% experienced seizures during the 6 months preceding levetiracetam initiation, and 19.2% were on levetiracetam alone at initiation. One-year levetiracetam continuation rate was estimated to be 72.0% (95%CI [63.8; 78.6]). Of the 104 children continuing levetiracetam treatment at end of study, 31.7% were seizure-free during the last six months of follow-up, and 23.1% on levetiracetam alone. Discontinuation of levetiracetam (n = 41) was mainly for insufficient efficacy (58.5% of those concerned).
CONCLUSIONS
In real-life clinical practice important treatment retention and non-negligible reduction of seizure frequency may be expected.
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