Valproate prescription to women of childbearing age in English primary care: repeated cross-sectional analyses and retrospective cohort study

Preconception indicators and associations with health outcomes reported in UK routine primary care data: a systematic review

BACKGROUND

Routine primary care data may be a valuable resource for preconception health research and to inform the provision of preconception care.

AIM

To review how primary care data could provide information on the prevalence of preconception indicators and examine associations with maternal and offspring health outcomes.

DESIGN AND SETTING

Systematic review of observational studies using UK routine primary care data.

METHOD

Literature searches were conducted in March 2023 using five databases to identify observational studies that used national primary care data from individuals aged 15-49 years. Preconception indicators were defined as medical, behavioural, and social factors that may impact future pregnancies; health outcomes included those that may occur during and after pregnancy.

RESULTS

From 5259 screened records, 42 articles were included. The prevalence of 37 preconception indicator measures was described for female patients, ranging from 0.01% for sickle cell disease to >20% for each of advanced maternal age, previous caesarean section (among those with a recorded pregnancy), overweight, obesity, smoking, depression, and anxiety (irrespective of pregnancy). Few studies reported indicators for male patients (n = 3) or associations with outcomes (n = 5). Most studies had a low risk of bias, but missing data may limit generalisability of the findings.

CONCLUSION

The findings demonstrated that routinely collected UK primary care data could be used to identify patients' preconception care needs. Linking primary care data with health outcomes collected in other datasets is underutilised, but could help to quantify how optimising preconception health and care could reduce adverse outcomes for mothers and children.

Socioeconomic differences in use of antiseizure medication in pregnancies with maternal epilepsy: A population-based study from Nordic universal health care systems

OBJECTIVE

Research points to disparities in disease burden and access to medical care in epilepsy. We studied the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and antiseizure medication (ASM) use in pregnancies with maternal epilepsy.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional study consisting of 21 130 pregnancies with maternal epilepsy identified from Nordic registers during 2006-2017. SES indicators included cohabitation status, migrant background, educational attainment, and household income. Main outcomes were the proportion and patterns of ASM use from 90 days before pregnancy to birth. We applied multiple imputation to handle SES variables with 2%-4% missingness. We estimated adjusted risk ratios (aRRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) using modified Poisson regression with the highest SES category as reference.

RESULTS

Mothers with the highest education and the highest income quintile used ASMs least frequently (56% and 53%, respectively). We observed increased risks of ASM discontinuation prior to or during the first trimester for low SES. The risk estimates varied depending on the SES indicator from aRR = 1.27 for low income (95% CI: 1.03-1.57) to aRR = 1.66 for low education (95% CI: 1.30-2.13). Migrant background was associated with ASM initiation after the first trimester (aRR 2.17; 95% CI 1.88-2.52). Low education was associated with the use of valproate during pregnancy in monotherapy (aRR 1.70; 95% CI 1.29-2.24) and in polytherapy (aRR 2.65; 95% CI 1.66-4.21). Low education was also associated with a 37% to 39% increased risk of switching from one ASM to another depending on the ASM used. For the other SES indicators, aRRs of switching varied from 1.16 (foreign origin; 95% CI 1.08-1.26) to 1.26 (not married or cohabiting; 95% CI 1.17-1.36).

SIGNIFICANCE

Low SES was associated with riskier patterns of ASM use: discontinuation, late initiation, and switching during pregnancy. These findings may reflect unplanned pregnancies, disparities in access to preconception counseling, and suboptimal care.

Anti-seizure Medications: Challenges and Opportunities

Epilepsy is a chronic neurological condition characterized by unprovoked, recurrent seizures. There are several types of epilepsy, and the cause of the condition can vary. Some cases of epilepsy have a genetic component, while others may be caused by brain injuries, infections, or other underlying conditions. Treatment for epilepsy typically involves anti-seizure medications (ASMs), although different approaches, such as surgery or a special diet, may be considered in specific cases. The treatment aims to effectively manage and potentially eliminate seizures while minimizing any accompanying side effects. Many different ASMs are available, and the choice of medication depends on several factors, including the type of seizures, the patient's age, general health, and potential drug interactions. For the treatment of epilepsy, there have been significant advancements in recent decades, which have led to the approval of many different ASMs. Newer ASMs offer a broader range of mechanisms of action, improved tolerability profiles, and reduced drug interactions compared to older drugs. This review aims to discuss the pharmacological characteristics, clinical applications, effectiveness, and safety of ASMs, with a particular emphasis on various age groups, especially children. Moreover, this review seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of ASM therapy for epilepsy management, assisting physicians in selecting suitable ASMs for their patients.

Impact of Risk Minimisation Measures on Valproate Use among Women of Reproductive Age in Latvia Between 2013 and 2020: A 7-Year Nationwide Prescription Database Study

BACKGROUND

A relevant safety concern for the use of valproate (VPA) in women of reproductive age is its teratogenicity. In 2014 European Medicines Agency (EMA) introduced risk minimisation measures (RMMs) to reduce the VPA use by women of reproductive age, where the impact on VPA use was not as large as expected. In 2018, the EMA introduced additional RMMs, and it is essential to assess impact of these interventions.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of the EMA-published RMMs in 2014 and 2018 on the prevalence of VPA use and to describe trends in the prevalence rate and incidence proportion of VPA use in epilepsy, bipolar disorder and off-label indications in Latvia.

METHODS

This was a nationwide population-based study using a primary care prescription database. The study included women in age groups < 15, 15-49 and > 49 years and men in age group 15-49 years who have received VPA. This study assessed the prevalence rate and the incidence proportion of VPA use. The impact of RMMs on the two study intervention periods [fourth quarter (Q4) 2014 and Q4 2018] in men and women was evaluated using causal impact analysis.

RESULTS

In the study cohort, VPA use in women in the age group 15-49 years decreased after the first and second intervention periods, where after the first intervention period the relative reduction in prevalence of VPA consumption was -7.7 [95% confidence interval (CI) -10%, -5.1%] and after both study periods -6.4% (95% CI -11%, -1.5%). In girls < 15 years of age, valproate use decreased after both intervention periods, while in women > 49 years old VPA use increased. In men aged 15-49 years, an increase after the first period and a non-significant decrease after both intervention periods was observed. The prevalence of valproate use in girls < 15 years and women 15-49 years of age with bipolar disorder, epilepsy and off-label indications decreased per 1000 people during the study period. The incidence proportion of VPA use in women aged 15-49 years decreased each year since the beginning of the study period.

CONCLUSIONS

A statistically significant decrease in the prevalence of VPA use was identified among girls < 15 years and women 15-49 years of age. In Latvia, an overall good reaction to the EMA RMMs was observed. The effects go beyond the target population and affect the use of VPA in young girls as well.