1
|
Aud'hui M, Kachenoura A, Yochum M, Kaminska A, Nabbout R, Wendling F, Kuchenbuch M, Benquet P. Detection of seizure onset in childhood absence epilepsy. Clin Neurophysiol 2024; 163:267-279. [PMID: 38644110 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2024.03.034] [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: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 03/26/2024] [Indexed: 04/23/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study aims to detect the seizure onset, in childhood absence epilepsy, as early as possible. Indeed, interfering with absence seizures with sensory simulation has been shown to be possible on the condition that the stimulation occurs soon enough after the seizure onset. METHODS We present four variations (two supervised, two unsupervised) of an algorithm designed to detect the onset of absence seizures from 4 scalp electrodes, and compare their performance with that of a state-of-the-art algorithm. We exploit the characteristic shape of spike-wave discharges to detect the seizure onset. Their performance is assessed on clinical electroencephalograms from 63 patients with confirmed childhood absence epilepsy. RESULTS The proposed approaches succeed in early detection of the seizure onset, contrary to the classical detection algorithm. Indeed, the results clearly show the superiority of the proposed methods for small delays of detection, under 750 ms from the onset. CONCLUSION The performance of the proposed unsupervised methods is equivalent to that of the supervised ones. The use of only four electrodes makes the pipeline suitable to be embedded in a wearable device. SIGNIFICANCE The proposed pipelines perform early detection of absence seizures, which constitutes a prerequisite for a closed-loop system.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Aud'hui
- Univ Rennes, INSERM, LTSI - UMR 1099, Rennes F-35000, France
| | - A Kachenoura
- Univ Rennes, INSERM, LTSI - UMR 1099, Rennes F-35000, France
| | - M Yochum
- Univ Rennes, INSERM, LTSI - UMR 1099, Rennes F-35000, France.
| | - A Kaminska
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, AP-HP, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - R Nabbout
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, AP-HP, Université de Paris, Paris, France; Reference Center for Rare Epilepsies, Department of Pediatric Neurology, Member of EPICARE Network, Institute Imagine INSERM 1163, Université de Paris, Paris, France
| | - F Wendling
- Univ Rennes, INSERM, LTSI - UMR 1099, Rennes F-35000, France
| | - M Kuchenbuch
- Pediatric and Genetic Department, CHU, Nancy, France
| | - P Benquet
- Univ Rennes, INSERM, LTSI - UMR 1099, Rennes F-35000, France
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Hagemann A, Herting A, Klimpel D, Bien CG, Polster T. Ethosuximide lowers lamotrigine serum concentrations: Evidence for a clinically relevant interaction. Epilepsia 2024; 65:e73-e78. [PMID: 38606683 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17952] [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: 01/12/2024] [Revised: 02/28/2024] [Accepted: 03/04/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
We investigated the effect of comedication with ethosuximide (ESM) on lamotrigine (LTG) blood levels. Based on observations from clinical practice, we hypothesized that ESM reduces the LTG serum concentration. We additionally evaluated this effect in the presence of concomitant valproic acid (VPA). We retrospectively analyzed samples of inpatients from our department who had been treated with a combination of ESM and LTG between 2017 and 2021. We additionally used data on LTG serum concentrations from a previously published cohort from our center. Generalized estimation equations (GEEs) were used for statistical analyses. We included 523 samples from 209 patients. GEE analyses showed that LTG trough serum concentrations were significantly lower in samples with ESM comedication and significantly higher in samples with concomitant VPA. The effect of ESM was moderated by patients' age; in children and adolescents, LTG serum concentrations were 37% lower than in samples without ESM, whereas in adults, LTG serum concentrations were 14% lower. The effect we found in our data is relevant to daily clinical practice, if patients are not seizure-free despite typical daily LTG dosage, or if they develop side effects during ESM withdrawal. It should be considered especially in children and adolescents.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Arne Herting
- Department of Epileptology, Krankenhaus Mara, Bethel Epilepsy Center, Bielefeld University, Medical School OWL, Bielefeld, Germany
| | | | - Christian G Bien
- Society for Epilepsy Research, Bielefeld, Germany
- Department of Epileptology, Krankenhaus Mara, Bethel Epilepsy Center, Bielefeld University, Medical School OWL, Bielefeld, Germany
- Laboratory Krone, Bad Salzuflen, Germany
| | - Tilman Polster
- Department of Epileptology, Krankenhaus Mara, Bethel Epilepsy Center, Bielefeld University, Medical School OWL, Bielefeld, Germany
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Anguelova GV. Neurophysiological signatures of visual attention during absence seizures. Clin Neurophysiol 2024; 162:274-275. [PMID: 38575406 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2024.02.037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/06/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- G V Anguelova
- Department of Neurology, Haaglanden Medical Centre, The Hague, The Netherlands.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Le Roux M, Benallegue N, Gueden S, Rupin-Mas M, Van Bogaert P. Care of pharmaco-resistant absence seizures in childhood. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2024; 180:251-255. [PMID: 38388226 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2024.01.002] [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: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024]
Abstract
In childhood absence epilepsy, pharmaco-resistance occurs in 20-30% of patients. In that situation, glucose transporter type 1 deficiency has to be ruled out, especially if absences started before the age of four years and if neurological signs are present. If ethosuximide, valproate and lamotrigine have failed in monotherapy or in association, there are currently no valuable therapeutic options. The same rules apply for epilepsy with myoclonic absences. Importantly, arguments supporting that making the patient seizure-free will improve eventual associated cognitive deficits such as attention deficit are very weak. Therefore, limiting the cognitive side effects of the anti-epileptic drugs has always to be a priority when faced with typical refractory absences in childhood. In epilepsy with eyelid myoclonia, the majority of patients are pharmaco-resistant. However, absence seizures, if present, tend to be very brief, and seizures are limited in many patients to eyelid myoclonia that eventually do not affect their quality of life and are well attenuated by wearing blue lenses. Atypical absences occurring in the course a developmental and/or epileptic encephalopathy are often pharmaco-resistant. In that situation, characterizing the type of epilepsy syndrome and searching for a specific genetic or structural etiology are needed to offer the best therapeutic options to the patient.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- M Le Roux
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, CHU d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - N Benallegue
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, CHU d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - S Gueden
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, CHU d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - M Rupin-Mas
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, CHU d'Angers, Angers, France
| | - P Van Bogaert
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, CHU d'Angers, Angers, France; Laboratoire Angevin de Recherche en Ingénierie des Systèmes (LARIS), Université d'Angers, Angers, France.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Wessel C, Candan FU, Panah PY, Karia S, Sah J, Mutchnick I, Karakas C. Efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation in managing drug-resistant absence epilepsy syndromes. Seizure 2024; 117:60-66. [PMID: 38330751 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2024.01.019] [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: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Around 11% of patients with absence epilepsy develop drug-resistant absence epilepsy (DRAE), and are at increased risk for developing psychiatric and neurologic comorbidities. Current therapeutic options for DRAE are limited. The purpose of this study was to assess the efficacy of vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) in treating DRAE. METHODS Our institution maintains a database of patients who received VNS between 2010 and 2022. We identified DRAE patients who were <18 years of age at seizure onset, were electro-clinically diagnosed with an absence epilepsy syndrome (childhood absence, juvenile absence, or Jeavons Syndrome) by an epileptologist, and had normal brain imaging. The primary outcome measure was post-VNS absence seizure frequency. RESULTS Twenty-six patients (M/F:14/12) were identified. Median age at seizure onset was 7 years (IQR 4-10) and patients experienced seizures for 6 years (IQR 4.3-7.6) before VNS. After VNS, the median absence seizure frequency reduced to 1.5 days (IQR 0.1-3.5) per week from 7 days (IQR 7-7), a 66% reduction seizure frequency. VNS responder rate was 80%, and seven patients achieved seizure freedom. There was no significant effect on VNS efficacy between the time from DRAE diagnosis to VNS placement (p = 0.067) nor the time from first seizure onset to VNS implant (p = 0.80). The median follow-up duration was 4.1 years (IQR 2.4-6.7), without any significant association between follow-up duration and VNS efficacy (r2=0.023) CONCLUSIONS: VNS is effective in managing DRAE. The responder rate was 80%; seizure improvement was independent of age at both seizure onset and latency to VNS after meeting DRAE criteria.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Caitlin Wessel
- University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville KY 40202, United States
| | - Feride Un Candan
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of Neurology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville Kentucky 40202, United States
| | - Paya Yazdan Panah
- University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville KY 40202, United States
| | - Samir Karia
- University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville KY 40202, United States; Division of Child Neurology, Department of Neurology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville Kentucky 40202, United States; Norton Neuroscience Institute and Children's Hospital, 615 S Preston Street, 2nd floor, Louisville KY 40241, United States
| | - Jeetendra Sah
- University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville KY 40202, United States; Division of Child Neurology, Department of Neurology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville Kentucky 40202, United States; Norton Neuroscience Institute and Children's Hospital, 615 S Preston Street, 2nd floor, Louisville KY 40241, United States
| | - Ian Mutchnick
- University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville KY 40202, United States; University of Louisville Department of Neurosurgery, Louisville KY 40202, United States; Norton Neuroscience Institute and Children's Hospital, 615 S Preston Street, 2nd floor, Louisville KY 40241, United States
| | - Cemal Karakas
- University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville KY 40202, United States; Division of Child Neurology, Department of Neurology, University of Louisville School of Medicine, Louisville Kentucky 40202, United States; Norton Neuroscience Institute and Children's Hospital, 615 S Preston Street, 2nd floor, Louisville KY 40241, United States.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Chu H, Zhang X, Shi J, Zhou Z, Yang X. Antiseizure medications for idiopathic generalized epilepsies: a systematic review and network meta-analysis. J Neurol 2023; 270:4713-4728. [PMID: 37378757 PMCID: PMC10511599 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11834-8] [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: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To compare the efficacy and safety of antiseizure medications (ASMs), both as monotherapies and adjunctive therapies, for idiopathic generalized epilepsies (IGEs) and related entities. METHODS Two reviewers independently searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for relevant randomized controlled trials from December 2022 to February 2023. Studies on the efficacy and safety of ASM monotherapies or adjunctive therapies for IGEs and related entities-including juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, childhood absence epilepsy (CAE), juvenile absence epilepsy, or generalized tonic-clonic seizures alone (GTCA)-were included. Efficacy outcomes were the proportions of patients remaining seizure free for 1, 3, 6, and 12 months; safety outcomes were the proportions of any treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE) and TEAEs leading to discontinuation. Network meta-analyses were performed in a random-effects model to obtain odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Rankings of ASMs were based on the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA). This study is registered with PROSPERO (No. CRD42022372358). RESULTS Twenty-eight randomized controlled trials containing 4282 patients were included. As monotherapies, all ASMs were more effective than placebo, and valproate and ethosuximide were significantly better than lamotrigine. According to the SUCRA for efficacy, ethosuximide ranked first for CAE, whereas valproate ranked first for other types of IGEs. As adjunctive therapies, topiramate ranked best for GTCA as well as overall for IGEs, while levetiracetam ranked best for myoclonic seizures. For safety, perampanel ranked best (measured by any TEAE). CONCLUSIONS All of the studied ASMs were more effective than placebo. Valproate monotherapy ranked best overall for IGEs, whereas ethosuximide ranked best for CAE. Adjunctive topiramate and levetiracetam were most effective for GTCA and myoclonic seizures, respectively. Furthermore, perampanel had the best tolerability.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongyuan Chu
- Department of Pediatrics, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Xinyu Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, China
| | - Jie Shi
- Department of Neurology, Tsinghua University Yuquan Hospital, Beijing, 100040, China
| | - Zhirui Zhou
- Radiation Oncology Center, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200040, China.
| | - Xu Yang
- Department of Neurology, Peking University Aerospace School of Clinical Medicine (Aerospace Center Hospital), No. 15, Yuquan Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100049, China.
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Diezi L, Dao K, Jullien V, Roussel‐Maupetit C, Burton I, André P, Bardinet C, Rothuizen LE, Chtioui H, Manso‐Silvan MA, Guittet C, Brunner‐Ferber F, Vandenhende F, Chiron C, Granier L, Buclin T. An innovative ethosuximide granule formulation designed for pediatric use: Comparative pharmacokinetics, safety, tolerability, and palatability profile versus reference syrup. Pharmacol Res Perspect 2023; 11:e01032. [PMID: 36537292 PMCID: PMC9764106 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.1032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Ethosuximide, the first-line therapy for childhood absence epilepsy, is currently formulated as a syrup (Zarontin®, Pfizer) with a bitter taste and high sugar content, poorly adapted to children, and a ketogenic diet. The collaborative European FP7 project KIEKIDS aimed at developing an innovative sugar-free, tasteless formulation convenient for pediatric use. This dual Phase-I study evaluated two granule formulations based on lipid multiparticulate (LMP) technology. Two panels of 6 healthy adult volunteers underwent a randomized, placebo-controlled, partly blinded, 3-way cross-over trial, comparing ethosuximide granules A or B with placebo granules and syrup at single 10 mg/kg doses. Corresponding plasma pharmacokinetic profiles of ethosuximide were compared, along with palatability, safety, and tolerability. The LMP granule A proved suboptimal due to bitterness and adherence to beaker walls, while the optimized granule B revealed excellent palatability, similar to placebo granules, and low adherence to glass. The relative bioavailability of granules A versus syrup, based on dose-normalized Cmax and AUC0-∞ was 93.7% [90% CI: 76.3-115.1] and 96.1% [91.0-101.5], respectively. For granules B it was 87.6% [81.6-94.0] and 92.5% [88.5-96.6], respectively, with slightly delayed tmax of 0.75 h [0.5-4.05] compared to syrup 0.5 h [0.3-0.8]. Tolerability visual analog scales revealed a trend for statistically non-significant improvement versus syrup at peak (30 min) for transient dizziness (both granules), fatigue (granules A), and anxiety (granules B). The innovative ethosuximide granule formulation B achieves a suitable profile for pediatric use, being sugar-free, tasteless, bioequivalent, and well-tolerated while enabling precise adjustment to body weight.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Léonore Diezi
- Clinical PharmacologyLausanne University Hospital and University of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Kim Dao
- Clinical PharmacologyLausanne University Hospital and University of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | | | | | | | - Pascal André
- Clinical PharmacologyLausanne University Hospital and University of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Carine Bardinet
- Clinical PharmacologyLausanne University Hospital and University of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Laura E. Rothuizen
- Clinical PharmacologyLausanne University Hospital and University of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | - Haithem Chtioui
- Clinical PharmacologyLausanne University Hospital and University of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Thierry Buclin
- Clinical PharmacologyLausanne University Hospital and University of LausanneLausanneSwitzerland
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Sarkisova KY, Fedosova EA, Shatskova AB, Rudenok MM, Stanishevskaya VA, Slominsky PA. Maternal Methyl-Enriched Diet Increases DNMT1, HCN1, and TH Gene Expression and Suppresses Absence Seizures and Comorbid Depression in Offspring of WAG/Rij Rats. Diagnostics (Basel) 2023; 13:diagnostics13030398. [PMID: 36766503 PMCID: PMC9914012 DOI: 10.3390/diagnostics13030398] [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: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
The reduced expression of the HCN1 ion channel in the somatosensory cortex (SSC) and mesolimbic dopamine deficiency are thought to be associated with the genesis of spike-wave discharges (SWDs) and comorbid depression in the WAG/Rij rat model of absence epilepsy. This study aimed to investigate whether the maternal methyl-enriched diet (MED), which affects DNA methylation, can alter DNMT1, HCN1, and TH gene expression and modify absence seizures and comorbid depression in WAG/Rij offspring. WAG/Rij mothers were fed MED (choline, betaine, folic acid, vitamin B12, L-methionine, zinc) or a control diet for a week before mating, during pregnancy, and for a week after parturition. MED caused sustained suppression of SWDs and symptoms of comorbid depression in the offspring. Disease-modifying effects of MED were associated with increased expression of the DNMT1 and HCN1 genes in the SSC and hippocampus, as well as DNMT1, HCN1, and TH genes in the nucleus accumbens. No changes in gene expression were detected in the hypothalamus. The results indicate that maternal MED can suppress the genetic absence epilepsy and comorbid depression in offspring. Increased expression of the DNMT1, HCN1, and TH genes is suggested to be a molecular mechanism of this beneficial phenotypic effect.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Karine Yu. Sarkisova
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of Russian Academy of Sciences, Butlerova Str. 5A, Moscow 117485, Russia
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +7-495-789-38-52 (ext. 2140); Fax: +7-499-743-00-56
| | - Ekaterina A. Fedosova
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of Russian Academy of Sciences, Butlerova Str. 5A, Moscow 117485, Russia
| | - Alla B. Shatskova
- Institute of Higher Nervous Activity and Neurophysiology of Russian Academy of Sciences, Butlerova Str. 5A, Moscow 117485, Russia
| | - Margarita M. Rudenok
- National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”—Institute of Molecular Genetics of Russian Academy of Sciences, Kurchatov Square 2, Moscow 123182, Russia
| | - Vera A. Stanishevskaya
- National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”—Institute of Molecular Genetics of Russian Academy of Sciences, Kurchatov Square 2, Moscow 123182, Russia
| | - Petr A. Slominsky
- National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”—Institute of Molecular Genetics of Russian Academy of Sciences, Kurchatov Square 2, Moscow 123182, Russia
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Nakamura T, Uda K, Matsuo M, Zaitsu M. Two cases of childhood absence epilepsy who showed seizure disappearance after ethosuximide drug eruption. ACTA EPILEPTOLOGICA 2022. [DOI: 10.1186/s42494-022-00108-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Recent studies suggest potential roles of immune response in the pathophysiology of epilepsy. Anti-seizure medications (ASMs) are known to have side effects of drug eruption caused by immune responses. A few reports in adults have demonstrated disappearance of seizures after an ASM drug eruption episode. In this paper, we described 2 cases of childhood absence epilepsy (CAE) who showed seizure disappearance after ethosuximide (ESM) drug eruption, suggesting the possibility that the epilepsy disappears due to immune responses to ASM.
Case presentation
Case 1 was an 8-year-old girl diagnosed with CAE. She was treated with valproate acid (VPA) initially, and then ESM was administered as an additional treatment. Her epileptic seizure disappeared 4 days after initiation of ESM. However, drug eruption appeared 1 week after the administration of ESM. Even after discontinuation of ESM administration, she maintains no seizure after the drug eruption. Case 2 was a 5-year-old boy diagnosed as CAE. He was treated with VPA initially, and ESM was administered additionally. Drug eruption appeared 1 month after the administration of ESM. Even after ESM was terminated, he maintained seizure freedom after the appearance of eruption.
Conclusions
Epileptic seizures may have been suppressed due to the immune responses caused by ASM eruption. Further studies are needed to elucidate the pathophysiologic effects of drug eruption on epilepsy through immune responses.
Collapse
|
10
|
Childhood vs. juvenile absence epilepsy: How to make a diagnosis. Seizure 2022; 102:125-128. [DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2022.10.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2022] [Revised: 09/28/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
|
11
|
Balan S, Koo K, Muhamad Hamdan MD, Lee SV. The use of special approval medicines among pediatric patients in a tertiary care hospital: A reality check. EXPLORATORY RESEARCH IN CLINICAL AND SOCIAL PHARMACY 2022; 8:100188. [PMID: 36281358 PMCID: PMC9587311 DOI: 10.1016/j.rcsop.2022.100188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Special approval medicines (SAMs) are medicines used with approval from the Director General of Health Malaysia when the therapeutic options within regulatory and formulary boundaries appear unsuitable or ineffective to treat the patients. OBJECTIVES To examine and characterize the use of SAMs among children in a Malaysian tertiary care hospital. METHODS The named-patient basis SAM application forms, cover letter, pharmacist review summary and patient monitoring forms available at the Pharmacy Department between 1st January 2019 and 31st December 2020 were reviewed. Unprocessed, unapproved and stock-basis applications were excluded. The outcome measures were categories, scope, off-label use and cost of SAM. Per-patient data were analyzed descriptively. RESULTS Overall, 1010 patients (mean age of 8.7 ± 5.6 years) were involved in 328 SAMs applications. The most common SAMs pharmacological groups were nervous system (n = 371, 36.7%) and antineoplastic and immunomodulating agents (n = 332, 32.9%). Top three SAMs were melatonin (11.5%), scopolamine (7.6%) and cholecalciferol (7.1%). A total of 837 (82.9%) and 513 (50.8%) patients were involved in the SAMs applications for non-formulary and unregistered medicines, respectively. Unregistered, non-formulary medicines were applied for 47.3% (n = 478) of the patients. The majority of the scope for SAMs (64.7%) were to substitute the available alternatives in the national formulary which were ineffective or sub-optimal for the patients. Among the 262 patients with repeat applications, 93.8% reported disease or symptom improvement while 1.9% experienced side effects. Up to 17% of SAMs analyzed in this study were used for off-label indications. The total cost of the SAMs was RM8,748,358.38 (USD 2,090,418.86). CONCLUSION The use of SAMs among children in this hospital involved unregistered, non-formulary medicines used to substitute the available alternatives in the formulary. A concerted effort is warranted in exploring supplementary mechanisms to enhance the medicine registration process and formulary system towards facilitating enhanced provision of treatment for children.
Collapse
|
12
|
Gregorčič S, Hrovat J, Bizjak N, Rener Primec Z, Hostnik T, Stres B, Perković Benedik M, Osredkar D. Difficult to treat absence seizures in children: A single-center retrospective study. Front Neurol 2022; 13:958369. [PMID: 36247779 PMCID: PMC9556893 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.958369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
ObjectivesThe aim of this study was to analyse the characteristics of typical absence seizures (AS), myoclonic AS and AS with eyelid myoclonia in children and to find associations between these characteristics and difficult to treat absence seizures (DTAS).MethodsThis was a single-center retrospective study. Electronic health records of pediatric patients with a clinical diagnosis of AS treated at a single tertiary epilepsy center between January 2013 and June 2020 were reviewed. Clinical characteristics, seizure information, ASM, and therapeutic response of patients were recorded. All patients were followed up for at least 1 year. DTAS were defined as failure to achieve remission after treatment with at least 2 anti-seizure medications (ASM), regardless of whether remission was achieved eventually in the study period.ResultsData from 131 patients were available for analysis. Remission was achieved after the first ASM treatment in 81 (61.8%) patients, and eventually in 120 (91.6%) during the study period. Epilepsy was classified as DTAS in 18 (13.7%) patients. AS were more often difficult to treat in patients with myoclonic AS and AS with eyelid myoclonia (40.0%), compared with patients with typical AS (11.4%; p = 0.012, 95% CI 1.480–25.732). A positive family history of epilepsy (p = 0.046; 95% CI 1.021–8.572), a higher seizure frequency (p = 0.023, 95% CI 1.009–1.126) prior to ASM treatment, and longer time between seizure onset and treatment onset (p = 0.026; 95% CI 1.006–1.099) were also associated with DTAS.SignificanceOur study suggests that several clinical characteristics of AS are associated with DTAS. One of these was the time between onset of AS and initiation of ASM treatment, which can be shortened with better care, suggesting that early diagnosis and treatment may improve prognosis in pediatric patients with AS. These findings remain to be confirmed in larger prospective studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Samo Gregorčič
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, University Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Jaka Hrovat
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, University Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Neli Bizjak
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, University Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Developmental Neuroscience, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Zvonka Rener Primec
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, University Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Developmental Neuroscience, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Tadeja Hostnik
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, University Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Blaž Stres
- Department of Animal Science, Faculty of Biotechnical, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Department of Automation, Biocybernetics and Robotics, Jožef Stefan Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Civil and Geodetic Engineering, Institute of Sanitary Engineering, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Mirjana Perković Benedik
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, University Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Developmental Neuroscience, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- *Correspondence: Mirjana Perković Benedik
| | - Damjan Osredkar
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, University Children's Hospital, University Medical Centre Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Faculty of Medicine, Centre for Developmental Neuroscience, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Damjan Osredkar
| |
Collapse
|
13
|
Fujimoto A, Enoki H, Hatano K, Sato K, Okanishi T. Replacement of Valproic Acid with New Anti-Seizure Medications in Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy. J Clin Med 2022; 11:jcm11154582. [PMID: 35956197 PMCID: PMC9369717 DOI: 10.3390/jcm11154582] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Little is known regarding the non-inferiority of new anti-seizure medications (ASMs) in terms of replacing valproic acid (VPA) in patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). We hypothesized that replacement of VPA with new ASMs would offer non-inferior or better control of seizure frequency. The purpose of this study was to compare epileptic seizure frequency between the subset of patients with IGE who were on VPA and the subset of patients with IGE who replaced VPA with new ASMs. Methods: Patients with IGE who were on or had been on VPA between January 2016 and March 2022 were divided into a group that replaced VPA with new ASMs (VPA-replace group) and a group that remained on VPA (VPA-continue group). We then compared the groups in terms of seizure frequency and myoclonus. Results: Of the 606 patients on VPA between January 2016 and March 2022, 156 patients with IGE were enrolled to this study (VPA-replace group, n = 68; VPA-continue group, n = 88). The VPA-replace group included significantly more females than the VPA-continue group (p < 0.001). The VPA-replace group also showed significantly higher seizure frequency before replacement (p < 0.001), but not after replacement (p = 0.074). Patients on monotherapy displayed improved seizure frequency with new ASMs (p < 0.001). Among the new ASMs, perampanel (PER) significantly improved seizure frequency (p = 0.002). Forty-two patients in the VPA-replace group who had myoclonus achieved significant improvements (p < 0.001). Among these, patients on PER monotherapy (p < 0.001) or PER + lamotrigine (0.016) showed significantly improved myoclonus scale scores. Conclusions: This study shows the non-inferiority of new ASMs compared to VPA, with better seizure control using new ASMs in subsets of patients with IGE on monotherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ayataka Fujimoto
- Department of Neurosurgery, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, 2-12-12 Sumiyoshi, Nakaku, Hamamatsu 430-8558, Japan
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, 2-12-12 Sumiyoshi, Nakaku, Hamamatsu 430-8558, Japan
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +81-53-474-2222; Fax: +81-53-475-7596
| | - Hideo Enoki
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, 2-12-12 Sumiyoshi, Nakaku, Hamamatsu 430-8558, Japan
| | - Keisuke Hatano
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, 2-12-12 Sumiyoshi, Nakaku, Hamamatsu 430-8558, Japan
| | - Keishiro Sato
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, 2-12-12 Sumiyoshi, Nakaku, Hamamatsu 430-8558, Japan
| | - Tohru Okanishi
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Seirei Hamamatsu General Hospital, 2-12-12 Sumiyoshi, Nakaku, Hamamatsu 430-8558, Japan
- Division of Child Neurology, Department of Brain and Neurosciences, Faculty of Medicine, Tottori University, Yonago 683-8503, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Prospective Evaluation of Ghrelin and Des-Acyl Ghrelin Plasma Levels in Children with Newly Diagnosed Epilepsy: Evidence for Reduced Ghrelin-to-Des-Acyl Ghrelin Ratio in Generalized Epilepsies. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12040527. [PMID: 35455643 PMCID: PMC9029558 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12040527] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/23/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Children with epilepsy and identified as responders to antiseizure medications (ASMs) were found to present markedly higher ghrelin plasma levels when compared to drug-resistant patients. However, it was undetermined if this phenotype could be influenced by the ASMs. Here, we prospectively investigated total ghrelin and des-acyl ghrelin (DAG) plasma levels by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before and after ASM administration. Inclusion criteria were: (i) subject with a suspicion of epilepsy; (ii) age ranging from 0 to 16 years; and (iii) informed consent signed by parents or caregivers. Exclusion criteria were acute or chronic metabolic disorders with occasional convulsions but without epilepsy. Fifty patients were followed over a period of one year in Italian neuropediatric centers. Apart from a few exceptions, the majority of children were responsive to ASMs. No differences were found in total ghrelin and DAG levels before and after the treatment, but total ghrelin levels were significantly lower in children with generalized epilepsy compared to those with combined focal and generalized epilepsy. Moreover, the ghrelin-to-DAG ratio was also markedly lower in generalized epilepsies compared to all the other types of epilepsy. Finally, ghrelin was unchanged by ASMs, including the first (e.g., carbamazepine), second (levetiracetam), and third (lacosamide) generation of anticonvulsants.
Collapse
|
15
|
Liparoti G, Burchiani B, Mencaroni E, Tripodi D, Di Cara G, Verrotti A. Individualizing doses of antiepileptic drugs. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol 2022; 18:219-233. [PMID: 35523739 DOI: 10.1080/17425255.2022.2075342] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION This review aims to identify the optimal therapeutic dosage of anti-epileptic drugs in terms of efficacy and safety in patients with multiple comorbidities. AREAS COVERED We have analyzed changes in terms of pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of Brivaracetam, Carbamazepine, Lacosamide, Lamotrigine, Levetiracetam, Topiramate, Valproate, and Zonisamide in liver disease, chronic kidney disease, and in patients admitted to intensive care unit. Our literature search covers the past 5 years. We used PubMed, Google Scholar, and EMBASE database's to support our article. EXPERT OPINION To ensure that the patient with seizure receives the best treatment in relation to their comorbidities, careful clinical-laboratory monitoring is necessary to maximize effectiveness while maintaining safety, especially in the case of polytherapy.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Liparoti
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
| | | | | | - Domenico Tripodi
- Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University "G. D'Annunzio"of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti, Italy
| | | | | |
Collapse
|