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Polychronidis K, Håkansson S, Hosseini Ashtiani S, Idegård A, Larsson D, Zelano J. Second antiseizure medication monotherapy in patients with adult-onset epilepsy: A register-based analysis. Epilepsy Behav 2024; 155:109792. [PMID: 38669974 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2024.109792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Revision of therapy is fundamental in epilepsy care, since only half of patients achieve seizure freedom and tolerate the first antiseizure medication (ASM). We studied the selection and retention of second antiseizure medication monotherapy in adults who discontinued treatment with one of the three most frequently prescribed first ASMs, and the impact of age or brain comorbidities. METHODS Using Swedish national registers, we conducted a population-based, retrospective cohort study from 2007 to 2019 on patients age ≥ 30 at the epilepsy diagnosis that had switched to a second monotherapy after the three most common initial monotherapies (n = 7369). Retention rates (RR) were estimated via Kaplan-Meier. Discontinuation of the second monotherapy was defined as 12-month prescription gap or initiation of a third ASM. Analyses were stratified by sex, age, and presence of stroke or dementia. RESULTS The three most commonly prescribed second ASMs were carbamazepine, levetiracetam, and lamotrigine. The 1-year retention rate was 63-76% in all patients. For groups with stroke or dementia, the maximal 1-year RRs were 77% and 87%, respectively. After five years, retention rates ranged from 12% to 39%. There were no major differences between ASMs, apart from in patients discontinuing carbamazepine, where lamotrigine had a superior retention compared to levetiracetam as second monotherapy. SIGNIFICANCE The three most often prescribed second ASMs seem to be suitable treatment options according to present guidelines. The second ASMs' retention rates were initially high in all studied patient groups but dropped to approximately the expected proportion of second monotherapy responders over the next five years. This suggests that therapy revision could be expedited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Konstantinos Polychronidis
- Department of Neurology, North Älvsborg County Hospital, Trollhättan, Sweden; Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Samuel Håkansson
- Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden; Wallenberg Center of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Saman Hosseini Ashtiani
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden; Wallenberg Center of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - André Idegård
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden; Wallenberg Center of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - David Larsson
- Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden; Wallenberg Center of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Johan Zelano
- Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden; Wallenberg Center of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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Delanty N, Mohanraj R, Shankar R, Wehner T, Stephen LJ, D'Souza W, Cappucci S, McMurray R, Sainz-Fuertes R, Villanueva V. Perampanel for the treatment of epilepsy with genetic aetiology: Real-world evidence from the PERMIT Extension study. Epilepsy Res 2024; 202:107339. [PMID: 38492461 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2024.107339] [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: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
Genetic factors contribute to the aetiology of epilepsy in >50% of cases, and information on the use of antiseizure medications in people with specific aetiologies will help guide treatment decisions. The PERMIT Extension study pooled data from two real-world studies (PERMIT and PROVE) to investigate the effectiveness and safety/tolerability of perampanel (PER) when used to treat people with focal and generalised epilepsy in everyday clinical practice. This post-hoc analysis of PERMIT Extension explored the use of PER when used to treat individuals presumed to have epilepsy with a genetic aetiology. Assessments included retention rate (evaluated at 3, 6 and 12 months), effectiveness (responder and seizure freedom rates; evaluated at 3, 6, 12 months and the last visit [last observation carried forward) and tolerability (adverse events [AEs]). Of the 6822 people with epilepsy included in PERMIT Extension, 1012 were presumed to have a genetic aetiology. The most common genetic aetiologies were idiopathic generalised epilepsy (IGE; 58.2%), tuberous sclerosis (1.1%), Dravet syndrome (0.8%) and genetic epilepsy with febrile seizures plus (GEFS+; 0.5%). Retention rates at 3, 6 and 12 months in the total genetic aetiology population were 89.3%, 79.7% and 65.9%, respectively. In the total genetic aetiology population, responder rates at 12 months and the last visit were 74.8% and 68.3%, respectively, and corresponding seizure freedom rates were 48.9% and 46.5%, respectively. For the specific aetiology subgroups, responder rates at 12 months and the last visit were, respectively: 90.4% and 84.4% (IGE), 100% and 57.1% (tuberous sclerosis), 100% and 71.4% (Dravet syndrome), and 33.3% and 20.0% (GEFS+). Corresponding seizure freedom rates were, respectively: 73.1% and 64.6% (IGE), 33.3% and 22.2% (tuberous sclerosis), 20.0% and 28.6% (Dravet syndrome), and 0% and 0% (GEFS+). The incidence of AEs was 46.5% for the total genetic aetiology population, 48.8% for IGE, 27.3% for tuberous sclerosis, 62.5% for Dravet syndrome, and 20% for GEFS+. Tolerability findings were consistent with PER's known safety profile. PER was effective and generally well tolerated when used in individuals with a presumed genetic epilepsy aetiology in clinical practice. PER was effective across a wide range of genetic aetiologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Norman Delanty
- Department of Neurology, Beaumont Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Rajiv Mohanraj
- Greater Manchester Neurosciences Centre, Salford Royal Hospital, UK
| | | | - Tim Wehner
- National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, UCLH Foundation Trust, and Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL, London, UK
| | - Linda J Stephen
- Epilepsy Unit, West Glasgow Ambulatory Care Hospital, Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Wendyl D'Souza
- Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
| | | | | | | | - Vicente Villanueva
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
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Kan-Tor Y, Ness L, Szlak L, Benninger F, Ravid S, Chorev M, Rosen-Zvi M, Shimoni Y, Fisher RS. Comparing the efficacy of anti-seizure medications using matched cohorts on a large insurance claims database. Epilepsy Res 2024; 201:107313. [PMID: 38417192 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2024.107313] [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: 10/26/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 03/01/2024]
Abstract
Epilepsy is a severe chronic neurological disease affecting 60 million people worldwide. Primary treatment is with anti-seizure medicines (ASMs), but many patients continue to experience seizures. We used retrospective insurance claims data on 280,587 patients with uncontrolled epilepsy (UE), defined as status epilepticus, need for a rescue medicine, or admission or emergency visit for an epilepsy code. We conducted a computational risk ratio analysis between pairs of ASMs using a causal inference method, in order to match 1034 clinical factors and simulate randomization. Data was extracted from the MarketScan insurance claims Research Database records from 2011 to 2015. The cohort consisted of individuals over 18 years old with a diagnosis of epilepsy who took one of eight ASMs and had more than a year of history prior to the filling of the drug prescription. Seven ASM exposures were analyzed: topiramate, phenytoin, levetiracetam, gabapentin, lamotrigine, valproate, and carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine (treated as the same exposure). We calculated the risk ratio of UE between pairs of ASM after controlling for bias with inverse propensity weighting applied to 1034 factors, such as demographics, confounding illnesses, non-epileptic conditions treated by ASMs, etc. All ASMs exhibited a significant reduction in the prevalence of UE, but three drugs showed pair-wise differences compared to other ASMs. Topiramate consistently was associated with a lower risk of UE, with a mean risk ratio range of 0.68-0.93 (average 0.82, CI: 0.56-1.08). Phenytoin and levetiracetam were consistently associated with a higher risk of UE with mean risk ratio ranges of 1.11 to 1.47 (average 1.13, CI 0.98-1.65) and 1.15 to 1.43 (average 1.2, CI 0.72-1.69), respectively. Large-scale retrospective insurance claims data - combined with causal inference analysis - provides an opportunity to compare the effect of treatments in real-world data in populations 1,000-fold larger than those in typical randomized trials. Our causal analysis identified the clinically unexpected finding of topiramate as being associated with a lower risk of UE; and phenytoin and levetiracetam as associated with a higher risk of UE (compared to other studied drugs, not to baseline). However, we note that our data set for this study only used insurance claims events, which does not comprise actual seizure frequencies, nor a clear picture of side effects. Our results do not advocate for any change in practice but demonstrate that conclusions from large databases may differ from and supplement those of randomized trials and clinical practice and therefore may guide further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoav Kan-Tor
- AI for Healthcare and Life Sciences Department, IBM Research, Haifa, Israel
| | - Lior Ness
- AI for Healthcare and Life Sciences Department, IBM Research, Haifa, Israel
| | - Liran Szlak
- AI for Healthcare and Life Sciences Department, IBM Research, Haifa, Israel
| | - Felix Benninger
- Department of Neurology, Rabin Medical Center, Petach Tikva, Israel; School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel
| | - Sivan Ravid
- AI for Healthcare and Life Sciences Department, IBM Research, Haifa, Israel
| | - Michal Chorev
- AI for Healthcare and Life Sciences Department, IBM Research, Haifa, Israel; Centre for Applied Research, IBM Australia, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Michal Rosen-Zvi
- AI for Healthcare and Life Sciences Department, IBM Research, Haifa, Israel; Faculty of Medicine, The Hebrew University, Jerusalem, Israel
| | - Yishai Shimoni
- AI for Healthcare and Life Sciences Department, IBM Research, Haifa, Israel
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Brigo F, Zelano J, Abraira L, Bentes C, Ekdahl CT, Lattanzi S, Ingvar Lossius M, Redfors P, Rouhl RPW, Russo E, Sander JW, Vogrig A, Wickström R. Proceedings of the "International Congress on Structural Epilepsy & Symptomatic Seizures" (STESS, Gothenburg, Sweden, 29-31 March 2023). Epilepsy Behav 2024; 150:109538. [PMID: 38039602 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109538] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Francesco Brigo
- Innovation, Research and Teaching Service (SABES-ASDAA), Teaching Hospital of the Paracelsus Medical Private University (PMU), Bolzano, Italy.
| | - Johan Zelano
- Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Sweden; Wallenberg Center of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Gothenburg University, Sweden
| | - Laura Abraira
- Neurology Department, Epilepsy Unit, Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebron, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain; Epilepsy Research Group, Vall d'Hebron Institut de Recerca (VHIR), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Carla Bentes
- Neurophysiological Monitoring Unit - EEG/Sleep Laboratory, Refractory Epilepsy Reference Centre (member of EpiCARE), Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte, Lisbon, Portugal; Centro de Estudos Egas Moniz, Faculty of Medicine, Lisbon University, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Christine T Ekdahl
- Division of Clinical Neurophysiology and Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Sweden; Lund Epilepsy Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, Sweden
| | - Simona Lattanzi
- Neurological Clinic, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Morten Ingvar Lossius
- National Centre for Epilepsy, Division of Clinical Neuroscience, Oslo University Hospital, Member of the ERN EpiCARE, Oslo, Norway; Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Petra Redfors
- Department of Neurology, Member of the ERN EpiCARE, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Rob P W Rouhl
- Department of Neurology, Maastricht University Medical Centre+, Maastricht, The Netherlands; Academic Centre for Epileptology Kempenhaeghe/MUMC+ Heeze and Maastricht, The Netherlands; School for Mental Health and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands
| | - Emilio Russo
- Science of Health Department, University Magna Grecia of Catanzaro, Italy
| | - Josemir W Sander
- Department of Clinical & Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square, London, UK; Centre for Epilepsy, Chalfont St Peter, Bucks., SL9 0RJ, United Kingdom; Stichting Epilepsie Instellingen Nederland (SEIN), Heemstede 2103 SW, The Netherlands; Neurology Department, West of China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Alberto Vogrig
- Department of Medicine (DAME), University of Udine, Udine, Italy; Clinical Neurology, Department of Head-Neck and Neuroscience, Azienda Sanitaria Universitaria Friuli Centrale (ASU FC), Udine, Italy
| | - Ronny Wickström
- Neuropediatric Unit, Karolinska University Hospital and Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
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Larsson D, Mroué D, Andrén K, Zelano J. Antiseizure medication selection and retention for adult onset focal epilepsy in a Swedish health service region: A population-based cohort study. Epilepsia 2023; 64:2617-2624. [PMID: 37422699 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/20/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Historically, approximately half of those with newly diagnosed epilepsy have responded to and tolerated the first antiseizure medication (ASM), but there are few contemporary real-world data. Third-generation ASMs have improved tolerability and are increasingly used according to prescription data. We aimed to describe current ASM selection and retention in adult onset focal epilepsy in western Sweden. METHODS A multicenter retrospective cohort study was performed at five public neurology care providers in western Sweden (nearly complete coverage in the area). We reviewed 2607 medical charts and included patients diagnosed with nongeneralized epilepsy after January 1, 2020 who had a seizure onset after age 25 years (presumed focal onset) and were started on ASM monotherapy. RESULTS A total of 542 patients (median age at seizure onset = 68 years, interquartile range = 52-77) were included. Most patients received levetiracetam (62%) or lamotrigine (35%), with levetiracetam being more common among men and those with structural causes or short epilepsy duration. During follow-up (median = 471.5 days), 463 patients (85%) remained on the first ASM. Fifty-nine (18%) patients discontinued levetiracetam, and 18 (10%) ended treatment with lamotrigine (p = .010), most commonly because of side effects. In a multivariable Cox regression model, the discontinuation risk was higher for levetiracetam than lamotrigine (adjusted hazard ratio = 2.01, 95% confidence interval = 1.16-3.51). SIGNIFICANCE Levetiracetam and lamotrigine were the dominating first ASMs for adult onset focal epilepsy in our region, indicating good awareness of problems with enzyme induction or teratogenicity of older drugs. The most striking finding is the high retention rates, perhaps reflecting a shift toward an older epilepsy population, higher tolerability of newer ASMs, or suboptimal follow-up. The finding that treatment retention differed among patients receiving levetiracetam and lamotrigine aligns with the recent SANAD II results. It suggests lamotrigine may be underutilized in our region and that education efforts are needed to ensure it is considered the first choice more often.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Larsson
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Wallenberg Center of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Deala Mroué
- Department of Neurology, Södra Älvsborg Hospital, Borås, Sweden
| | - Kerstin Andrén
- Angered Hospital, Sjukhusen i Väster Hospital Group, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Johan Zelano
- Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden
- Wallenberg Center of Molecular and Translational Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
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Beltrán-Corbellini Á, Romeral-Jiménez M, Mayo P, Sánchez-Miranda Román I, Iruzubieta P, Chico-García JL, Parra-Díaz P, García-Morales I, Toledano R, Aledo-Serrano Á, Gil-Nagel A. Cenobamate in patients with highly refractory focal epilepsy: A retrospective real-world study. Seizure 2023; 111:71-77. [PMID: 37549616 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2023.07.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 07/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To determine the effectiveness and safety outcomes of cenobamate in a cohort of patients with highly refractory focal epilepsy in routine clinical practice. METHODS Observational, retrospective, phase 4 study on subjects receiving cenobamate in three Spanish centers. The primary endpoint was the retention rate at the last follow-up. The main secondary endpoints were the 50%-responder and seizure-free rates at three months and the last follow-up. Other secondary endpoints were Global Clinical Impressions-Improvement (CGI-I) scores and treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). RESULTS Fifty-one patients with highly refractory focal epilepsy with 24.7 years of disease evolution, ten previously tried ASM, and a 23.5% of previous epilepsy surgery were included. The retention rate at the last follow-up was 80.4%. The 50% responder rate in focal seizures at three months was 56.5% (median reduction per month 51%, 0-74.6; p < 0.0001) and in focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures was 63.6% (median reduction per month 89%, 0-100; p = 0.022). A total of 54.3% of subjects reported a reduction in the intensity of focal seizures, and 66% manifested clinically significant satisfaction. Cenobamate allowed a significant decrease in concomitant ASM, especially sodium channel blockers. TEAEs were reported in 43.1% of individuals, 85% of whom resolved or improved, with no new safety findings. CONCLUSION In this analysis of patients with highly refractory focal epilepsy treated with cenobamate according to standard clinical practice, there was evidence of a high reduction in both seizure frequency and intensity, with a manageable safety profile.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - María Romeral-Jiménez
- Epilepsy Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pablo Mayo
- Epilepsy Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Pablo Iruzubieta
- Epilepsy Program, Department of Neurology, Hospital Ruber Internacional, Madrid, Spain
| | - Juan Luis Chico-García
- Epilepsy Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Paloma Parra-Díaz
- Epilepsy Program, Department of Neurology, Hospital Ruber Internacional, Madrid, Spain; Epilepsy Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Irene García-Morales
- Epilepsy Program, Department of Neurology, Hospital Ruber Internacional, Madrid, Spain; Epilepsy Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Clínico San Carlos, Madrid, Spain
| | - Rafael Toledano
- Epilepsy Program, Department of Neurology, Hospital Ruber Internacional, Madrid, Spain; Epilepsy Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, Madrid, Spain
| | - Ángel Aledo-Serrano
- Epilepsy Program, Department of Neurology, Hospital Ruber Internacional, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Gil-Nagel
- Epilepsy Program, Department of Neurology, Hospital Ruber Internacional, Madrid, Spain; Fundación Iniciativa por las Neurociencias (FINCE), Madrid, Spain
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Håkansson S, Wickström R, Zelano J. Selection and Continuation of Antiseizure Medication in Children With Epilepsy in Sweden From 2007 to 2020. Pediatr Neurol 2023; 144:19-25. [PMID: 37116405 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2023.03.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Revised: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 04/30/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Knowledge on antiseizure medication (ASM) use and retention for children with epilepsy is limited, partly because of extensive off-label use of newer drugs with limited registration. We used prescription data to study prescription patterns on a population-wide scale and compared the proportion of patients remaining on monotherapy of ASMs with and without formal indication for different age groups. METHODS A total of 14,681 individuals aged <18 years were included, using cross-referenced Swedish registers from 2007 to 2020. Kaplan-Meier retention rates were calculated for all ASMs. The most common pathways of the first three medications per patient were analyzed. RESULTS In children older than one month and up to age one year, monotherapy retention rates were the highest for oxcarbazepine, valproic acid, and carbamazepine. Among children aged one to five years, oxcarbazepine and levetiracetam were among ASMs that do not have a monotherapy indication in Sweden but still had high retention rates. In the age group five to 12 years, lamotrigine and oxcarbazepine had the highest retention rate. In males aged 12 to 18 years, valproic acid was the most common choice followed by lamotrigine, whereas lamotrigine was the first choice of ASM for females, exceeding the second and third most common options levetiracetam and oxcarbazepine by a factor of two and three, respectively. CONCLUSION Off-label medication is common in children with epilepsy but does not seem to be associated with lower retention. The restrictions regarding valproic acid for females of childbearing age seem to have been well implemented in Swedish neuropediatric care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel Håkansson
- Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden; Wallenberg Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Ronny Wickström
- Neuropediatric Unit, Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Johan Zelano
- Department of Neurology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Gothenburg, Sweden; Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Neuroscience and Physiology, Sahlgrenska Academy, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden; Wallenberg Center for Molecular and Translational Medicine, Gothenburg University, Gothenburg, Sweden.
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Perucca E, Perucca P, White HS, Wirrell EC. Drug resistance in epilepsy. Lancet Neurol 2023:S1474-4422(23)00151-5. [PMID: 37352888 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(23)00151-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Drug resistance is estimated to affect about a third of individuals with epilepsy, but its prevalence differs in relation to the epilepsy syndrome, the cause of epilepsy, and other factors such as age of seizure onset and presence of associated neurological deficits. Although drug-resistant epilepsy is not synonymous with unresponsiveness to any drug treatment, the probability of achieving seizure freedom on a newly tried medication decreases with increasing number of previously failed treatments. After two appropriately used antiseizure medications have failed to control seizures, individuals should be referred whenever possible to a comprehensive epilepsy centre for diagnostic re-evaluation and targeted management. The feasibility of epilepsy surgery and other treatments, including those targeting the cause of epilepsy, should be considered early after diagnosis. Substantial evidence indicates that a delay in identifying an effective treatment can adversely affect ultimate outcome and carry an increased risk of cognitive disability, other comorbidities, and premature mortality. Research on mechanisms of drug resistance and novel therapeutics is progressing rapidly, and potentially improved treatments, including those targeting disease modification, are on the horizon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilio Perucca
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
| | - Piero Perucca
- Department of Medicine, Austin Health, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Neuroscience, Central Clinical School, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Bladin-Berkovic Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Department of Neurology, Austin Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Neurology, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne, VIC, Australia; Department of Neurology, Alfred Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - H Steve White
- Department of Pharmacy, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Elaine C Wirrell
- Divisions of Child and Adolescent Neurology and Epilepsy, Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA
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Chen S, Fukasawa T, Ikeda A, Takeuchi M, Shimotake A, Yoshida S, Kawakami K. Adherence to and persistence with lacosamide, perampanel, lamotrigine, and levetiracetam in adult patients with focal epilepsy in Japan: A descriptive cohort study using a claims database. Heliyon 2023; 9:e15017. [PMID: 37064469 PMCID: PMC10102552 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e15017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 03/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Objective We evaluated adherence to and 1-year persistence of two third-generation anti-seizure medications (ASMs), lacosamide and perampanel, in adult patients with focal epilepsy, compared with lamotrigine and levetiracetam. Methods A cohort study was conducted using a Japanese health insurance claims database (JMDC Inc.). We identified patients with adult-onset focal epilepsy who initiated any of the four ASMs between August 31, 2016, and October 31, 2019. Patients were further classified into ASM-naïve patients initiating any of the four ASMs as first-line treatment, and ASM-experienced patients initiating any of the four ASMs as second- or later-line treatment. Outcomes included adherence (proportion of days covered [PDC], defined as the total number of days covered by ASMs divided by the total number of days in the follow-up period) and 1-year persistence for the four ASMs. Results We identified 141 lacosamide, 75 perampanel, 80 lamotrigine, and 530 levetiracetam initiators. Among these, the proportion of ASM-naïve patients was highest in the levetiracetam group (60.8%), followed by the lamotrigine (25.0%), lacosamide (20.6%), and perampanel groups (1.3%). Mean PDC (standard deviation) was similar across the four groups, at 0.95 (0.08) for lacosamide, 0.93 (0.12) for perampanel, 0.92 (0.10) for lamotrigine and 0.94 (0.11) for levetiracetam. The proportion of patients persisting with treatment for 1 year was highest in the lacosamide group (73.0%), followed by the levetiracetam (58.3%), lamotrigine (57.5%), and perampanel groups (54.7%). In ASM-naïve patients, adherence and 1-year persistence were almost identical in the lacosamide, lamotrigine, and levetiracetam groups. Results for ASM-experienced patients did not significantly differ from those of all patients. Significance With regard to adherence and 1-year persistence, lacosamide may be equal to or better than lamotrigine and levetiracetam, especially in patients with experienced ASM, while perampanel may be comparable to lamotrigine and levetiracetam in patients with experienced ASM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siming Chen
- Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine and Public Health, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Toshiki Fukasawa
- Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine and Public Health, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Digital Health and Epidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine and Public Health, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akio Ikeda
- Department of Epilepsy, Movement Disorders and Physiology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masato Takeuchi
- Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine and Public Health, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Akihiro Shimotake
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Satomi Yoshida
- Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine and Public Health, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Department of Digital Health and Epidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine and Public Health, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Koji Kawakami
- Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine and Public Health, Kyoto University, Kyoto, Japan
- Corresponding author. Department of Pharmacoepidemiology, Graduate School of Medicine and Public Health, Kyoto University, Yoshidakonoe-cho, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan.
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Terman SW, Niznik JD, Slinger G, Otte WM, Braun KPJ, Aubert CE, Kerr WT, Boyd CM, Burke JF. Incidence of and predictors for antiseizure medication gaps in Medicare beneficiaries with epilepsy: a retrospective cohort study. BMC Neurol 2022; 22:328. [PMID: 36050646 PMCID: PMC9434838 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-022-02852-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND For the two-thirds of patients with epilepsy who achieve seizure remission on antiseizure medications (ASMs), patients and clinicians must weigh the pros and cons of long-term ASM treatment. However, little work has evaluated how often ASM discontinuation occurs in practice. We describe the incidence of and predictors for sustained ASM fill gaps to measure discontinuation in individuals potentially eligible for ASM withdrawal. METHODS This was a retrospective cohort of Medicare beneficiaries. We included patients with epilepsy by requiring International Classification of Diseases codes for epilepsy/convulsions plus at least one ASM prescription each year 2014-2016, and no acute visit for epilepsy 2014-2015 (i.e., potentially eligible for ASM discontinuation). The main outcome was the first day of a gap in ASM supply (30, 90, 180, or 360 days with no pills) in 2016-2018. We displayed cumulative incidence functions and identified predictors using Cox regressions. RESULTS Among 21,819 beneficiaries, 5191 (24%) had a 30-day gap, 1753 (8%) had a 90-day gap, 803 (4%) had a 180-day gap, and 381 (2%) had a 360-day gap. Predictors increasing the chance of a 180-day gap included number of unique medications in 2015 (hazard ratio [HR] 1.03 per medication, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.01-1.05) and epileptologist prescribing physician (≥25% of that physician's visits for epilepsy; HR 2.37, 95% CI 1.39-4.03). Predictors decreasing the chance of a 180-day gap included Medicaid dual eligibility (HR 0.75, 95% CI 0.60-0.95), number of unique ASMs in 2015 (e.g., 2 versus 1: HR 0.37, 95% CI 0.30-0.45), and greater baseline adherence (> 80% versus ≤80% of days in 2015 with ASM pill supply: HR 0.38, 95% CI 0.32-0.44). CONCLUSIONS Sustained ASM gaps were rarer than current guidelines may suggest. Future work should further explore barriers and enablers of ASM discontinuation to understand the optimal discontinuation rate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel W. Terman
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
| | - Joshua D. Niznik
- grid.10698.360000000122483208Division of Geriatric Medicine, Center for Aging and Health, School of Medicine, University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA ,grid.10698.360000000122483208Division of Pharmaceutical Outcomes and Policy, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, University of North Carolina At Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599 USA
| | - Geertruida Slinger
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Child Neurology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Willem M. Otte
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Child Neurology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Kees P. J. Braun
- grid.5477.10000000120346234Department of Child Neurology, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Carole E. Aubert
- grid.5734.50000 0001 0726 5157Department of General Internal Medicine, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland ,grid.5734.50000 0001 0726 5157Institute of Primary Health Care (BIHAM), University of Bern, Mittelstrasse 43, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Wesley T. Kerr
- grid.214458.e0000000086837370Department of Neurology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
| | - Cynthia M. Boyd
- grid.21107.350000 0001 2171 9311Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21224 USA
| | - James F. Burke
- grid.261331.40000 0001 2285 7943Department of Neurology, the Ohio State University, Columbus, OH 43210 USA
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