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Winter Y, Sandner K, Glaser M, Ciolac D, Sauer V, Ziebart A, Karakoyun A, Chiosa V, Saryyeva A, Krauss J, Ringel F, Groppa S. Synergistic effects of vagus nerve stimulation and antiseizure medication. J Neurol 2023; 270:4978-4984. [PMID: 37368131 PMCID: PMC10511567 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11825-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is an effective, non-pharmacological therapy for epileptic seizures. Until now, favorable combinations of different groups of antiseizure medication (ASM) and VNS have not been sufficiently addressed. The aim of this study was to identify the synergistic effects between VNS and different ASMs. METHODS We performed an observational study of patients with epilepsy who were implanted with VNS and had a stable ASM therapy during the first 2 years after the VNS implantation. Data were collected from the Mainz Epilepsy Registry. The efficacy of VNS depending on the concomitantly used ASM group/individual ASMs was assessed by quantifying the responder rate (≥ 50% seizure reduction compared to the time of VNS implantation) and seizure freedom (absence of seizures during the last 6 months of the observation period). RESULTS One hundred fifty one patients (mean age 45.2 ± 17.0 years, 78 females) were included in the study. Regardless of the used ASM, the responder rate in the whole cohort was 50.3% and the seizure freedom was 13.9%. Multiple regression analysis showed that combination of VNS with synaptic vesicle glycoprotein (SV2A) modulators (responder rate 64.0%, seizure freedom 19.8%) or slow sodium channel inhibitors (responder rate 61.8%, seizure freedom 19.7%) was associated with a statistically significant better responder rate and seizure freedom than combinations of VNS and ASM with other mechanism of action. Within these ASM groups, brivaracetam showed a more favorable effect than levetiracetam, whereas lacosamide and eslicarbazepine were comparable in their effects. CONCLUSION Our data suggest that the combination of VNS with ASMs belonging to either SV2A modulators or slow sodium channel inhibitors could be optimal to achieve a better seizure control following VNS. However, these preliminary data require further validation under controlled conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaroslav Winter
- Department of Neurology, Mainz Comprehensive Epilepsy and Sleep Medicine Center, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstr 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany.
- Department of Neurology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany.
| | - Katharina Sandner
- Department of Neurology, Mainz Comprehensive Epilepsy and Sleep Medicine Center, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Langenbeckstr 1, 55131, Mainz, Germany
| | - Martin Glaser
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Dumitru Ciolac
- Department of Neurology, Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), Rhine Main Neuroscience Network (rmn2), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Viktoria Sauer
- Department of Neurology, Philipps-University, Marburg, Germany
| | - Andreas Ziebart
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Ali Karakoyun
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Mannheim, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
| | - Vitalie Chiosa
- Laboratory of Neurobiology and Medical Genetics, Department of Neurology, Nicolae Testemitąnu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chisinau, Moldova
| | - Assel Saryyeva
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical School Hannover, MHH, Hannover, Germany
| | - Joachim Krauss
- Department of Neurosurgery, Medical School Hannover, MHH, Hannover, Germany
| | - Florian Ringel
- Department of Neurosurgery, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
| | - Sergiu Groppa
- Department of Neurology, Focus Program Translational Neuroscience (FTN), Rhine Main Neuroscience Network (rmn2), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Mainz, Germany
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Health Technology Assessment Report on Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Drug-Resistant Epilepsy. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2020; 17:ijerph17176150. [PMID: 32847092 PMCID: PMC7504285 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph17176150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2020] [Revised: 07/31/2020] [Accepted: 08/13/2020] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
Background: Vagus nerve stimulation (VNS) is a palliative treatment for medical intractable epileptic syndromes not eligible for resective surgery. Health technology assessment (HTA) represents a modern approach to the analysis of technologies used for healthcare. The purpose of this study is to assess the clinical, organizational, financial, and economic impact of VNS therapy in drug-resistant epilepsies and to establish the congruity between costs incurred and health service reimbursement. Methods: The present study used an HTA approach. It is based on an extensive detailed bibliographic search on databases (Medline, Pubmed, Embase and Cochrane, sites of scientific societies and institutional sites). The HTA study includes the following issues: (a) social impact and costs of the disease; (b) VNS eligibility and clinical results; (c) quality of life (QoL) after VNS therapy; (d) economic impact and productivity regained after VNS; and (e) costs of VNS. Results: Literature data indicate VNS as an effective treatment with a potential positive impact on social aspects and on quality of life. The diagnosis-related group (DRG) financing, both on national and regional levels, does not cover the cost of the medical device. There was an evident insufficient coverage of the DRG compared to the full cost of implanting the device. Conclusions: VNS is a palliative treatment for reducing seizure frequency and intensity. Despite its economic cost, VNS should improve patients’ quality of life and reduce care needs.
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