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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Strzelczyk A, Maschio M, Pensel MC, Coppola A, Takahashi S, Izumoto S, Trinka E, Cappucci S, Sainz-Fuertes R, Villanueva V. Perampanel for Treatment of People with a Range of Epilepsy Aetiologies in Clinical Practice: Evidence from the PERMIT Extension Study. Neurol Ther 2024:10.1007/s40120-024-00618-5. [PMID: 38678505 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-024-00618-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION It is important to assess the effectiveness of an antiseizure medication in treating different epilepsy aetiologies to optimise individualised therapeutic approaches. Data from the PERaMpanel pooled analysIs of effecTiveness and tolerability (PERMIT) Extension study were used to assess the effectiveness and safety/tolerability of perampanel (PER) when used to treat individuals with a range of epilepsy aetiologies in clinical practice. METHODS A post hoc analysis was conducted of PERMIT Extension data from individuals with a known aetiology. Retention was assessed after 3, 6 and 12 months. Effectiveness was assessed after 3, 6 and 12 months and at the last visit (last observation carried forward). Effectiveness assessments included responder rate (≥ 50% seizure frequency reduction) and seizure freedom rate (no seizures since at least the prior visit). Safety/tolerability was assessed by evaluating adverse events (AEs) and AEs leading to discontinuation. RESULTS PERMIT Extension included 1945 individuals with structural aetiology, 1012 with genetic aetiology, 93 with an infectious aetiology, and 26 with an immune aetiology. Retention rates at 12 months were 61.1% (structural), 65.9% (genetic), 56.8% (infectious) and 56.5% (immune). At the last visit, responder rates (total seizures) were 43.3% (structural), 68.3% (genetic), 37.0% (infectious) and 20.0% (immune), and corresponding seizure freedom rates were 15.8%, 46.5%, 11.1% and 5.0%, respectively. AE incidence rates were 58.0% (structural), 46.5% (genetic), 51.1% (infectious) and 65.0% (immune), and corresponding rates of discontinuation due to AEs over 12 months were 18.9%, 16.4%, 18.5% and 21.7%, respectively. The types of AEs reported were generally consistent across aetiology subgroups, with no idiosyncratic AEs emerging. CONCLUSION Although PER was effective and generally well tolerated when used to treat individuals with a range of epilepsy aetiologies in clinical practice, variability in its effectiveness and tolerability across the subgroups indicates that PER may be particularly useful for individuals with specific epilepsy aetiologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Strzelczyk
- Goethe-University Frankfurt, Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Theodor-Stern-Kai 7, 60596, Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Marta Maschio
- Center for Tumor-Related Epilepsy, UOSD Neuroncology, IRCCS IFO Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, Rome, Italy
| | - Max C Pensel
- Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Bonn, Bonn, Germany
| | - Antonietta Coppola
- Department of Neuroscience, Odontostomatological and Reproductive Sciences, Epilepsy Centre, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy
| | - Satoru Takahashi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shuichi Izumoto
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kindai University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Japan
| | - Eugen Trinka
- Department of Neurology, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Member of EpiCARE, Christian-Doppler University Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
- Neuroscience Institute, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Christian-Doppler University Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria
- Institute of Public Health, Medical Decision-Making and HTA, UMIT - Private University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Hall in Tyrol, Austria
| | | | | | - Vicente Villanueva
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Member of EpiCARE, Valencia, Spain
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Carreño M, Gil-Nagel A, Serratosa JM, Toledo M, Rodriguez-Uranga JJ, Villanueva V. Spanish consensus on the management of concomitant antiseizure medications when using cenobamate in adults with drug-resistant focal seizures. Epilepsia Open 2024. [PMID: 38573131 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 03/08/2024] [Accepted: 03/24/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cenobamate is an antiseizure medication (ASM) associated with high rates of seizure freedom and acceptable tolerability in patients with focal seizures. To achieve the optimal cenobamate dose for maximal potential effectiveness while avoiding or minimizing drug-related adverse events (AEs), the administration of cenobamate with other ASMs must be managed through concomitant ASM load reduction. A panel of Spanish epilepsy experts aimed to provide a Spanish consensus on how to adjust the dose of concomitant ASMs in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) in order to improve the effectiveness and tolerability of adjunctive cenobamate. METHODS A three-stage modified Delphi consensus process was undertaken, including six Spanish epileptologists with extensive experience using cenobamate. Based on current literature and their own expert opinion, the expert panel reached a consensus on when and how to adjust the dosage of concomitant ASMs during cenobamate titration. RESULTS The expert panel agreed that tailored titration and close follow-up are required to achieve the best efficacy and tolerability when initiating cenobamate in patients receiving concomitant ASMs. When concomitant clobazam, phenytoin, phenobarbital, and sodium channel blockers are taken at high dosages, or when the patient is receiving two or more sodium channel blockers, dosages should be proactively lowered during the cenobamate titration period. Other concomitant ASMs should be reduced only if the patient reports a moderate/severe AE at any stage of the titration period. SIGNIFICANCE Cenobamate is an effective ASM with a dose-dependent effect. To maximize effectiveness while maintaining the best tolerability profile, co-medication management is needed. The recommendations included herein provide practical guidance for proactive and reactive management of co-medication in cenobamate-treated patients with DRE and a high drug load. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY Patients with epilepsy may continue to have seizures even after treatment with several different antiseizure medications (ASMs). Cenobamate is an ASM that can reduce seizures in these patients. In this study, six Spanish experts in epilepsy discussed the best way to use cenobamate in drug-resistant epilepsy. They provide practical guidance on when and how the dose of other ASMs might be adjusted to reduce side effects and optimize the use of cenobamate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mar Carreño
- Hospital Clinic Barcelona, Epilepsy Unit, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Antonio Gil-Nagel
- Department of Neurology, Epilepsy Program, Ruber International Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | - José M Serratosa
- Department of Neurology, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Manuel Toledo
- Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Epilepsy Unit, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Vicente Villanueva
- La Fe University and Polytechnic Hospital, Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Valencia, Spain
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Szaflarski JP, Besson H, D'Souza W, Faught E, Klein P, Reuber M, Rosenow F, Salas-Puig J, Soto Insuga V, Steinhoff BJ, Strzelczyk A, Bourikas D, Daniels T, Floricel F, Friesen D, Laloyaux C, Villanueva V. Effectiveness and tolerability of brivaracetam in patients with epilepsy stratified by comorbidities and etiology in the real world: 12-month subgroup data from the international EXPERIENCE pooled analysis. J Neurol 2024:10.1007/s00415-024-12253-z. [PMID: 38436680 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-024-12253-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the effectiveness and tolerability of brivaracetam (BRV) in adults with epilepsy by specific comorbidities and epilepsy etiologies. METHODS EXPERIENCE/EPD332 was a pooled analysis of individual patient records from several non-interventional studies of patients with epilepsy initiating BRV in clinical practice. Outcomes included ≥ 50% reduction from baseline in seizure frequency, seizure freedom (no seizures within prior 3 months), continuous seizure freedom (no seizures since baseline), BRV discontinuation, and treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) at 3, 6, and 12 months. Analyses were performed for all adult patients (≥ 16 years of age) and stratified by comorbidity and by etiology at baseline (patients with cognitive/learning disability [CLD], psychiatric comorbidity, post-stroke epilepsy, brain tumor-related epilepsy [BTRE], and traumatic brain injury-related epilepsy [TBIE]). RESULTS At 12 months, ≥ 50% seizure reduction was achieved in 35.6% (n = 264), 38.7% (n = 310), 41.7% (n = 24), 34.1% (n = 41), and 50.0% (n = 28) of patients with CLD, psychiatric comorbidity, post-stroke epilepsy, BTRE, and TBIE, respectively; and continuous seizure freedom was achieved in 5.7% (n = 318), 13.7% (n = 424), 29.4% (n = 34), 11.4% (n = 44), and 13.8% (n = 29), respectively. During the study follow-up, in patients with CLD, psychiatric comorbidity, post-stroke epilepsy, BTRE, and TBIE, 37.1% (n = 403), 30.7% (n = 605), 33.3% (n = 51), 39.7% (n = 68), and 27.1% (n = 49) of patients discontinued BRV, respectively; and TEAEs since prior visit at 12 months were reported in 11.3% (n = 283), 10.0% (n = 410), 16.7% (n = 36), 12.5% (n = 48), and 3.0% (n = 33), respectively. CONCLUSIONS BRV as prescribed in the real world is effective and well tolerated among patients with CLD, psychiatric comorbidity, post-stroke epilepsy, BTRE, and TBIE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jerzy P Szaflarski
- University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Heersink School of Medicine Department of Neurology and UAB Epilepsy Center, Birmingham, AL, USA.
| | | | - Wendyl D'Souza
- Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | | | - Pavel Klein
- Mid-Atlantic Epilepsy and Sleep Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Felix Rosenow
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- LOEWE Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | - Victor Soto Insuga
- Pediatric Neurology, Hospital Universitario Infantil Niño Jesús, Madrid, Spain
| | - Bernhard J Steinhoff
- Kork Epilepsy Center, Kehl-Kork and Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Adam Strzelczyk
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
- LOEWE Center for Personalized Translational Epilepsy Research (CePTER), Goethe University Frankfurt, Frankfurt, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Vicente Villanueva
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, EpiCARE member, Valencia, Spain
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Hampel KG, Morata-Martínez C, Garcés-Sánchez M, Villanueva V. The significance of very long half-life in the context of antiseizure medication withdrawal during long-term video-EEG monitoring. Seizure 2024; 115:111-112. [PMID: 38233264 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2024.01.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2024] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/19/2024] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Gil Hampel
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Service, Member of ERN EPICARE, University Hospital La Fe, Avenida Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026 Valencia, Spain.
| | - Carlos Morata-Martínez
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Service, Member of ERN EPICARE, University Hospital La Fe, Avenida Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Mercedes Garcés-Sánchez
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Service, Member of ERN EPICARE, University Hospital La Fe, Avenida Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Vicente Villanueva
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Service, Member of ERN EPICARE, University Hospital La Fe, Avenida Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026 Valencia, Spain
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Hampel KG, Morata-Martínez C, Garcés-Sánchez M, Villanueva V. Impact of antiseizure medication with a very long half-life on long term video-EEG monitoring in focal epilepsy. Seizure 2024; 115:100-108. [PMID: 38158320 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2023.12.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/07/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the impact of antiseizure medications (ASMs) with a very long half-life on long term video-EEG monitoring (LTM) in people with focal epilepsy (FE). METHODS In this retrospective cohort study, we searched our local database for people with FE who underwent ASM reduction during LTM at the University Hospital of 'La Fe', Valencia, from January 2013 to December 2019. Taking into account the half-life of the ASM, people with FE were divided into two groups: Group A contained individuals who were taking at least one ASM with a very long half-life at admission, and Group B consisted of those not taking very long half-life ASMs. Using multivariable analysis to control for important confounders, we compared the following outcomes between both groups: seizure rates per day, time to first seizure, and LTM duration. RESULTS Three hundred seventy individuals were included in the study (154 in Group A and 216 in Group B). The median recorded seizure rates (1.3 seizures/day, range 0-15.3 vs.1.3 seizures/day, range 0-9.3, p-value=0.68), median time to the first seizure (24 h, range 2-119 vs. 24 h, range 2-100, p-value=0.92), and median LTM duration (4 days, range 2-5 vs. 4 days, range 2-5, p-value=0.94) were similar in both groups. Multivariable analysis did not reveal any significant differences in the three outcomes between the two groups (all p-values>0.05). CONCLUSION ASMs with a very long half-life taken as co-medication do not significantly affect important LTM outcomes, including recorded seizure rates, time to the first seizure, or LTM duration. Therefore, in general, there is no need to discontinue ASMs with a very long half-life prior to LTM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin G Hampel
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Service, Member of ERN EPICARE, University Hospital La Fe, Avenida Fernando Abril Martorell 106, Valencia 46026, Spain.
| | - Carlos Morata-Martínez
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Service, Member of ERN EPICARE, University Hospital La Fe, Avenida Fernando Abril Martorell 106, Valencia 46026, Spain
| | - Mercedes Garcés-Sánchez
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Service, Member of ERN EPICARE, University Hospital La Fe, Avenida Fernando Abril Martorell 106, Valencia 46026, Spain
| | - Vicente Villanueva
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Service, Member of ERN EPICARE, University Hospital La Fe, Avenida Fernando Abril Martorell 106, Valencia 46026, Spain
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Catalán‐Aguilar J, Hampel KG, Cano‐López I, Garcés M, Lozano‐García A, Tormos‐Pons P, González‐Bono E, Villanueva V. Prospective study of cenobamate on cognition, affectivity, and quality of life in focal epilepsy. Epilepsia Open 2024; 9:223-235. [PMID: 37920923 PMCID: PMC10839366 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12857] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Cenobamate is a recently approved antiseizure medication that proved to be safe and effective in randomized controlled trials. However, little is known about its impact on some areas frequently affected by epilepsy. For this reason, we explored the effects of cenobamate on cognitive performance, as well as on negative affectivity and quality of life in a sample of patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. METHODS Two prospective cohort studies were carried out. In Study 1, 32 patients (22 men and 10 women) underwent a baseline (T0) and a short-term (T1) neuropsychological assessment after 3 months of cenobamate administration. In Study 2, 22 patients (16 men and 6 women) from the T1 sample also underwent a baseline and a follow-up evaluation (T2) 6 months after T0. RESULTS No significant differences were found in cognitive variables, negative affectivity, and quality of life either in Study 1 or Study 2. Similarly, based on the reliable change index, it was found that most patients showed no changes in these variables. SIGNIFICANCE These results suggest that cenobamate is a safe antiseizure medication in terms of cognition, negative affectivity, or quality of life since no adverse events have been found after 3 and 6 months of treatment. PLAIN LANGUAGE SUMMARY Cenobamate is a new antiseizure medication. In patients with epilepsy, cenobamate seems to not affect cognition, anxiety, depression, or quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Catalán‐Aguilar
- Institut d'Investigació en Psicologia dels Recursos Humans, del Desenvolupament Organitzacional i de la Qualitat de Vida Laboral (Idocal)/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology CenterUniversitat de València. Av. Blasco IbáñezValenciaSpain
| | - Kevin G. Hampel
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Service, Member of ERN EPICAREHospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe. Av. Fernando Abril MartorellValenciaSpain
| | - Irene Cano‐López
- Institut d'Investigació en Psicologia dels Recursos Humans, del Desenvolupament Organitzacional i de la Qualitat de Vida Laboral (Idocal)/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology CenterUniversitat de València. Av. Blasco IbáñezValenciaSpain
| | - Mercedes Garcés
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Service, Member of ERN EPICAREHospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe. Av. Fernando Abril MartorellValenciaSpain
| | - Alejandro Lozano‐García
- Faculty of Health SciencesValencian International UniversityValenciaSpain
- Department of PsychologyUniversidad Europea de ValenciaValenciaSpain
- Faculty of Health SciencesUniversidad Isabel IBurgosSpain
| | - Paula Tormos‐Pons
- Institut d'Investigació en Psicologia dels Recursos Humans, del Desenvolupament Organitzacional i de la Qualitat de Vida Laboral (Idocal)/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology CenterUniversitat de València. Av. Blasco IbáñezValenciaSpain
| | - Esperanza González‐Bono
- Institut d'Investigació en Psicologia dels Recursos Humans, del Desenvolupament Organitzacional i de la Qualitat de Vida Laboral (Idocal)/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology CenterUniversitat de València. Av. Blasco IbáñezValenciaSpain
| | - Vicente Villanueva
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Service, Member of ERN EPICAREHospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe. Av. Fernando Abril MartorellValenciaSpain
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Toledano R, Villanueva V, Toledo M, Sabaniego J, Pérez-Domper P. Clinical and economic implications of epilepsy management across treatment lines in Spain: a real-life database analysis. J Neurol 2023; 270:5945-5957. [PMID: 37626245 PMCID: PMC10632298 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11958-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Epilepsy is a chronic brain disease characterized by recurrent seizures. We investigated real-world management of epilepsy across treatment lines in Spain, including healthcare resource use (HRU) and associated costs. METHODS This was a retrospective study of real-life data from epilepsy patients prescribed antiseizure medication (ASM) between January 2016 and December 2021. Patients were grouped according to their line of treatment (1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th +) during the recruitment period. Demographic and clinical characteristics, comorbidities and concomitant medications were analyzed during the baseline period (6 months before starting treatment line); antiepileptic treatments, concomitant medications, HRU and associated costs were analyzed during follow-up. RESULTS The study included 5006 patients. Treatment duration decreased as treatment lines progressed (mean ± SD progression time: 523.2 ± 279.1 days from 1st to 2nd line, 351.6 ± 194.4 days from 2nd to 3rd line; 272.7 ± 139.3 days from 3rd to 4th + line). Significant HRU differences were found with subsequent treatment lines, including an increase in hospital admissions and patients on sick leave. Mean (95% CI) adjusted total costs per patient were €2974/year (2773-3175) in the 1st line and €5735/year (5043-6428) in the 4th + line. There was an increase in adjusted direct and total costs with subsequent treatment lines; the mean difference in total costs between cohorts was €2761 (p < 0.001). The highest direct costs were associated with epilepsy medication, days at the hospital and specialist visits. CONCLUSION Our data revealed a progressive increase in the use of resources and associated costs across subsequent epilepsy treatment lines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Toledano
- Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal and Hospital Ruber Internacional, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Vicente Villanueva
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Member of ERN EpiCARE, Valencia, Spain
| | - Manuel Toledo
- Neurology Service, Hospital Universitari Vall d' Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
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Lozano-García A, Catalán-Aguilar J, Tormos-Pons P, Hampel KG, Villanueva V, Cano-López I, González-Bono E. Impact of Polytherapy on Memory Functioning in Patients With Drug-Resistant Epilepsy: The Role of Attention and Executive Functions. Arch Clin Neuropsychol 2023:acad086. [PMID: 37987193 DOI: 10.1093/arclin/acad086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim was to examine the effect of polytherapy (i.e., the number of administered anti-seizure medications (ASMs)) on memory, and whether the interaction between the number of ASMs and attentional/executive functioning affect presurgical memory functioning and postsurgical memory changes in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. METHODS Two studies were carried out. Study 1 consisted of a presurgical assessment of 125 adult patients, in which attention/executive function (EpiTrack screening tool) and memory were assessed (cross-sectional study). Of them, 72 patients underwent a second postsurgical evaluation, in which memory was assessed (Study 2). Patients were distributed into groups based on EpiTrack performance and number of ASMs. RESULTS The interaction between the number of ASMs and the attentional/executive functioning significantly affected presurgical memory, with patients with impaired EpiTrack performance taking three-four ASMs having poorer scores than patients with intact EpiTrack performance taking three-four ASMs (for all, p < .0001). This interaction also affected postsurgical memory changes, with patients with impaired Epitrack performance taking three-four ASMs having higher postsurgical decline than those with intact Epitrack performance taking three-four ASMs (for all, p < .005). No differences were found in patients taking two ASMs. Furthermore, the number of ASMs was associated with presurgical memory performance and postsurgical memory changes only in patients with impaired EpiTrack performance (for all, p < .05). CONCLUSIONS Our findings underline the utility of EpiTrack, together with the clinical information on the number of prescribed ASMs, to corroborate the impact of polytherapy on memory and to optimize the prediction of postsurgical memory changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Lozano-García
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Valencian International University, Valencia, Spain
- Department of Psychology, Universidad Europea de Valencia, Valencia, Spain
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Isabel I, Burgos, Spain
| | - Judit Catalán-Aguilar
- IDOCAL/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology Center, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Paula Tormos-Pons
- IDOCAL/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology Center, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Kevin G Hampel
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Service Member of ERN EPICARE, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Vicente Villanueva
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Service Member of ERN EPICARE, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Irene Cano-López
- IDOCAL/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology Center, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Esperanza González-Bono
- IDOCAL/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology Center, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
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10
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Wheless J, Wechsler RT, Penovich P, Segal E, Chez M, Coppola A, Datta A, D'Souza W, Najm I, Cappucci S, Sainz-Fuertes R, Villanueva V. Effectiveness, safety and tolerability of perampanel by age group when used to treat people with focal and generalized epilepsy in clinical practice: The PERMIT Extension study. Epilepsy Behav 2023; 147:109369. [PMID: 37619459 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To assess the effectiveness and safety/tolerability of perampanel (PER) in people with epilepsy (PWE) treated in everyday clinical practice for focal and generalized seizures, both in the total cohort and by age group. METHODS The PERMIT Extension study was a pooled analysis of data from PWE included in two large previous clinical practice studies (PERMIT and PROVE). Retention was assessed over 12 months. Effectiveness was assessed based on total seizures and by seizure type (focal and generalized) after 3, 6, and 12 months of PER treatment and at final follow-up (last observation carried forward; "last visit"); assessments included responder rate (≥50% seizure frequency reduction from baseline) and seizure freedom rate (no seizures since at least the previous visit). Safety/tolerability was assessed throughout PER treatment by evaluating adverse events (AEs). All assessments were conducted for the total population and by age category (<12, ≥12 to <18, ≥18 to <65, and ≥65 years at baseline). RESULTS Full Analysis Set included 6,822 PWE (51.1% female; mean age, 36.9 years; mean duration of epilepsy 21.4 years) with 6,433, 4,648, and 6,233 PWE assessed for retention, effectiveness, and safety/tolerability, respectively. The majority of PWE (81.1%) were aged 18-64 at baseline, with 4.5% aged <12 years, 8.4% aged 12-17 years, and 5.9% aged ≥65 years. In the overall population, retention rates at 3, 6, and 12 months were 88.0%, 77.6%, and 61.4%, respectively; responder rates at 12 months were 58.5% for total seizures, 54.6% for focal seizures, and 77.7% for generalized seizures, and corresponding seizure freedom rates were 23.6%, 19.0%, and 51.3%, respectively. PER was effective regardless of age category, although effectiveness was greatest in PWE aged ≥65 years, for both focal and generalized seizures. In the overall population, the incidence of AEs was 49.2% and the most frequent AEs (≥5% of PWE) were dizziness/vertigo (13.4%), somnolence (8.8%), irritability (7.3%), and behavioral disorders (5.3%); AEs led to treatment discontinuation in 18.3% of PWE over 12 months. The incidence of AEs and the discontinuation rate due to AEs increased with increasing age (55.0% and 23.9%, respectively, in PWE aged ≥65 years). CONCLUSION In this study, the largest pooled analysis of PER clinical practice data conducted to date, PER was shown to be effective and generally well tolerated when used to treat people with focal or generalized epilepsy in everyday clinical practice, regardless of age category. No new or unexpected side effects emerged following long-term use in the real-world setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- James Wheless
- University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Le Bonheur Children's Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA.
| | | | | | - Eric Segal
- Northeast Regional Epilepsy Group, Hackensack University Medical Center, Hackensack Meridian School of Medicine, Hackensack, NJ, USA.
| | - Michael Chez
- Sutter Neuroscience Institute, Roseville, CA, USA.
| | - Antonietta Coppola
- Department of Neuroscience, Odontostomatological and Reproductive Sciences, Federico II University of Naples, Naples, Italy.
| | - Anita Datta
- BC Children's Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
| | - Wendyl D'Souza
- Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, The University of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
| | - Imad Najm
- Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
| | | | | | - Vicente Villanueva
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
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11
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Villanueva V, Rodriguez-Osorio X, Juiz-Fernández Á, Sayas D, Hampel K, Castillo A, Montoya J, Garcés M, Campos D, Rubio-Nazábal E, Fernández-Cabrera A, Gifreu A, Santamarina E, Hernández Pérez G, Falip M, Parejo-Carbonell B, García-Morales I, Martínez AB, Massot M, Asensio M, Giménez J, Guillén V, Ruiz-Giménez J, Chavarria B, Rocamora R, Escalza I. Real-life evidence about the use of intravenous brivaracetam in urgent seizures: The BRIV-IV study. Epilepsy Behav 2023; 147:109384. [PMID: 37634373 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2023.109384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/26/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Urgent seizures are a medical emergency for which new therapies are still needed. This study evaluated the use of intravenous brivaracetam (IV-BRV) in an emergency setting in clinical practice. METHODS BRIV-IV was a retrospective, multicenter, observational study. It included patients ≥18 years old who were diagnosed with urgent seizures (including status epilepticus (SE), acute repetitive seizures, and high-risk seizures) and who were treated with IV-BRV according to clinical practice in 14 hospital centers. Information was extracted from clinical charts and included in an electronic database. Primary effectiveness endpoints included the rate of IV-BRV responder patients, the rate of patients with a sustained response without seizure relapse in 12 h, and the time between IV-BRV administration and clinical response. Primary safety endpoints were comprised the percentage of patients with adverse events and those with adverse events leading to discontinuation. RESULTS A total of 156 patients were included in this study. The mean age was 57.7 ± 21.5 years old with a prior diagnosis of epilepsy for 57.1% of patients. The most frequent etiologies were brain tumor-related (18.1%) and vascular (11.2%) epilepsy. SE was diagnosed in 55.3% of patients. The median time from urgent seizure onset to IV treatment administration was 60.0 min (range: 15.0-360.0), and the median time from IV treatment to IV-BRV was 90.0 min (range: 30.0-2400.0). Regarding dosage, the mean bolus infusion was 163.0 ± 73.0 mg and the mean daily dosage was 195.0 ± 87.0 mg. A total of 77.6% of patients responded to IV-BRV (66.3% with SE vs. 91% other urgent seizures) with a median response time of 30.0 min (range: 10.0-60.0). A sustained response was achieved in 62.8% of patients. However, adverse events were reported in 14.7%, which were predominantly somnolence and fatigue, with 4.5% leading to discontinuation. Eighty-six percent of patients were discharged with oral brivaracetam. CONCLUSION IV-BRV in emergency settings was effective, and tolerability was good for most patients. However, a larger series is needed to confirm the outcomes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Villanueva
- Member of ERN EPICARE, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
| | | | | | - Debora Sayas
- Member of ERN EPICARE, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Kevin Hampel
- Member of ERN EPICARE, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Javier Montoya
- Consorcio Hospital General Universitario, Valencia, Spain
| | - Mercedes Garcés
- Member of ERN EPICARE, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Dulce Campos
- Hospital Clínico Universitario Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Mercé Falip
- Hospital Universitario Bellvitge, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Juana Giménez
- Hospital General Universitario Dr Balmis, Alicante, Spain
| | - Virginia Guillén
- Hospital General Universitario Virgen de las Nieves, Granada, Spain
| | | | - Beatriz Chavarria
- Member of ERN EPICARE, Hospital Universitario del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rodrigo Rocamora
- Member of ERN EPICARE, Hospital Universitario del Mar, Barcelona, Spain
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12
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Villanueva V, Santos‐Carrasco D, Cabezudo‐García P, Gómez‐Ibáñez A, Garcés M, Serrano‐Castro P, Castro‐Vilanova MD, Sayas D, Lopez‐Gonzalez FJ, Rodríguez‐Osorio X, Torres‐Gaona G, Saiz‐Diaz RA, Hampel KG, Martinez‐Ferri M, Aguilar‐Amat MJ, Mercedes‐Alvarez B, García‐Morales V, del Villar‐Igea A, Massot‐Tarrús A, Rodríguez‐Uranga JJ. Real-world safety and effectiveness of cenobamate in patients with focal onset seizures: Outcomes from an Expanded Access Program. Epilepsia Open 2023; 8:918-929. [PMID: 37149853 PMCID: PMC10472366 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12757] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/09/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study investigated early, real-world outcomes with cenobamate (CNB) in a large series of patients with highly drug-resistant epilepsy within a Spanish Expanded Access Program (EAP). METHOD This was a multicenter, retrospective, observational study in 14 hospitals. Inclusion criteria were age ≥18 years, focal seizures, and EAP authorization. Data were sourced from patient clinical records. Primary effectiveness endpoints included reductions (100%, ≥90%, ≥75%, and ≥50%) or worsening in seizure frequency at 3-, 6-, and 12-month visits and at the last visit. Safety endpoints included rates of adverse events (AEs) and AEs leading to discontinuation. RESULTS The study included 170 patients. At baseline, median epilepsy duration was 26 years and median number of seizures/month was 11.3. The median number of prior antiseizure medications (ASMs) and concomitant ASMs were 12 and 3, respectively. Mean CNB dosages/day were 176 mg, 200 mg, and 250 mg at 3, 6, and 12 months. Retention rates were 98.2%, 94.5%, and 87% at 3, 6, and 12 months. At last available visit, the rate of seizure freedom was 13.3%; ≥90%, ≥75%, and ≥50% responder rates were 27.9%, 45.5%, and 63%, respectively. There was a significant reduction in the number of seizures per month (mean: 44.6%; median: 66.7%) between baseline and the last visit (P < 0.001). Responses were maintained regardless of the number of prior or concomitant ASMs. The number of concomitant ASMs was reduced in 44.7% of patients. The cumulative percentage of patients with AEs and AEs leading to discontinuation were 68.2% and 3.5% at 3 months, 74.1% and 4.1% at 6 months, and 74.1% and 4.1% at 12 months. The most frequent AEs were somnolence and dizziness. SIGNIFICANCE In this highly refractory population, CNB showed a high response regardless of prior and concomitant ASMs. AEs were frequent but mostly mild-to-moderate, and few led to discontinuation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Villanueva
- Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Member of EPICAREValenciaSpain
| | - Daniel Santos‐Carrasco
- Centro Neurología AvanzadaSevillaSpain
- Departamento de Psicología ExperimentalUniversidad de SevillaSevillaSpain
| | | | | | - Mercedes Garcés
- Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Member of EPICAREValenciaSpain
| | | | | | - Débora Sayas
- Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Member of EPICAREValenciaSpain
| | | | | | | | | | - Kevin G. Hampel
- Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Member of EPICAREValenciaSpain
| | | | - Maria J. Aguilar‐Amat
- Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Hospital Universitario La Paz—IdiPAZMadridSpain
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Villanueva V, Laloyaux C, D'Souza W, Faught E, Klein P, Reuber M, Rosenow F, Salas-Puig J, Insuga VS, Strzelczyk A, Szaflarski JP, Chinn C, Daniels T, Floricel F, Friesen D, Sendersky V, Besson H, Steinhoff BJ. Effectiveness and Tolerability of 12-Month Brivaracetam in the Real World: EXPERIENCE, an International Pooled Analysis of Individual Patient Records. CNS Drugs 2023; 37:819-835. [PMID: 37684497 PMCID: PMC10501958 DOI: 10.1007/s40263-023-01033-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE Real-world evidence studies of brivaracetam (BRV) have been restricted in scope, location, and patient numbers. The objective of this pooled analysis was to assess effectiveness and tolerability of brivaracetam (BRV) in routine practice in a large international population. METHODS EXPERIENCE/EPD332 was a pooled analysis of individual patient records from multiple independent non-interventional studies of patients with epilepsy initiating BRV in Australia, Europe, and the United States. Eligible study cohorts were identified via a literature review and engagement with country lead investigators, clinical experts, and local UCB Pharma scientific/medical teams. Included patients initiated BRV no earlier than January 2016 and no later than December 2019, and had ≥ 6 months of follow-up data. The databases for each cohort were reformatted and standardised to ensure information collected was consistent. Outcomes included ≥ 50% reduction from baseline in seizure frequency, seizure freedom (no seizures within 3 months before timepoint), continuous seizure freedom (no seizures from baseline), BRV discontinuation, and treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) at 3, 6, and 12 months. Patients with missing data after BRV discontinuation were considered non-responders/not seizure free. Analyses were performed for all adult patients (≥ 16 years), and for subgroups by seizure type recorded at baseline; by number of prior antiseizure medications (ASMs) at index; by use of BRV as monotherapy versus polytherapy at index; for patients who switched from levetiracetam to BRV versus patients who switched from other ASMs to BRV; and for patients with focal-onset seizures and a BRV dose of ≤ 200 mg/day used as add-on at index. Analysis populations included the full analysis set (FAS; all patients who received at least one BRV dose and had seizure type and age documented at baseline) and the modified FAS (all FAS patients who had at least one seizure recorded during baseline). The FAS was used for all outcomes other than ≥ 50% seizure reduction. All outcomes were summarised using descriptive statistics. RESULTS Analyses included 1644 adults. At baseline, 72.0% were 16-49 years of age and 92.2% had focal-onset seizures. Patients had a median (Q1, Q3) of 5.0 (2.0, 8.0) prior antiseizure medications at index. At 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively, ≥ 50% seizure reduction was achieved by 32.1% (n = 619), 36.7% (n = 867), and 36.9% (n = 822) of patients; seizure freedom rates were 22.4% (n = 923), 17.9% (n = 1165), and 14.9% (n = 1111); and continuous seizure freedom rates were 22.4% (n = 923), 15.7% (n = 1165), and 11.7% (n = 1111). During the whole study follow-up, 551/1639 (33.6%) patients discontinued BRV. TEAEs since prior visit were reported in 25.6% (n = 1542), 14.2% (n = 1376), and 9.3% (n = 1232) of patients at 3, 6, and 12 months, respectively. CONCLUSIONS This pooled analysis using data from a variety of real-world settings suggests BRV is effective and well tolerated in routine clinical practice in a highly drug-resistant patient population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Villanueva
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, EpiCARE member, Avenida Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026, Valencia, Spain.
| | | | - Wendyl D'Souza
- Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | | | - Pavel Klein
- Mid-Atlantic Epilepsy and Sleep Center, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | | | - Felix Rosenow
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Victor Soto Insuga
- Pediatric Neurology, Hospital Universitario Infantil Niño Jesús, Madrid, Spain
| | - Adam Strzelczyk
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main and Department of Neurology, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jerzy P Szaflarski
- University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Heersink School of Medicine, Department of Neurology and UAB Epilepsy Center, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Bernhard J Steinhoff
- Kork Epilepsy Center, Kehl-Kork and Medical Faculty, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany
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Trinka E, Alsaadi T, Goji H, Maehara T, Takahashi S, Jacobs J, Renna R, Gil-López FJ, McMurray R, Sáinz-Fuertes R, Villanueva V. Perampanel for the treatment of people with idiopathic generalized epilepsy in clinical practice. Epilepsia 2023; 64:2094-2107. [PMID: 37114853 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 04/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This study was undertaken to evaluate perampanel (PER) when used under real-world conditions to treat people with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) included in the PERaMpanel pooled analysIs of effecTiveness and tolerability (PERMIT) study. METHODS The multinational, retrospective, pooled analysis PERMIT explored the use of PER in people with focal and generalized epilepsy treated in clinical practice across 17 countries. This subgroup analysis included PERMIT participants with IGE. Time points for retention and effectiveness measurements were 3, 6, and 12 months (last observation carried forward, defined as "last visit," was also applied to effectiveness). Effectiveness was evaluated by seizure type (total seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures [GTCS], myoclonic seizures, absence seizures) and included ≥50% responder rate and seizure freedom rate (defined as no seizures since at least the previous visit). Safety/tolerability was monitored throughout PER treatment and evaluated by documenting the incidence of adverse events (AEs), including psychiatric AEs and those leading to treatment discontinuation. RESULTS The Full Analysis Set included 544 people with IGE (51.9% women, mean age = 33.3 years, mean epilepsy duration = 18.1 years). At 3, 6, and 12 months, 92.4%, 85.5%, and 77.3% of participants were retained on PER treatment, respectively (Retention Population, n = 497). At the last visit, responder and seizure freedom rates were, respectively, 74.2% and 54.6% (total seizures), 81.2% and 61.5% (GTCS), 85.7% and 66.0% (myoclonic seizures), and 90.5% and 81.0% (absence seizures) (Effectiveness Population, n = 467). AEs occurred in 42.9% of patients and included irritability (9.6%), dizziness/vertigo (9.2%), and somnolence (6.3%) (Tolerability Population, n = 520). Treatment discontinuation due to AEs was 12.4% over 12 months. SIGNIFICANCE This subgroup analysis of the PERMIT study demonstrated the effectiveness and good tolerability of PER in people with IGE when administered under everyday clinical practice conditions. These findings are in line with clinical trial evidence, supporting PER's use as broad-spectrum antiseizure medication for the treatment of IGE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eugen Trinka
- Department of Neurology, Christian-Doppler University Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University, Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Member of EpiCARE, Salzburg, Austria
- Neuroscience Institute, Christian-Doppler University Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University, Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Salzburg, Austria
- Institute of Public Health, Medical Decision-Making, and HTA, UMIT-Private University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics, and Technology, Hall in Tyrol, Austria
| | - Taoufik Alsaadi
- Department of Neurology, American Center for Psychiatry and Neurology, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - Hiroko Goji
- Neuropsychiatric Department, Aichi Medical University, Nagakute, Japan
| | - Taketoshi Maehara
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tsuchiura Kyodo General Hospital, Ibaraki, Japan
| | - Satoru Takahashi
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Julia Jacobs
- Alberta Children's Hospital, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
- University Medical Center Freiburg, Member of EpiCARE, Freiburg, Germany
| | - Rosaria Renna
- Neurological Clinic and Stroke Unit, "A. Cardarelli" Hospital, Naples, Italy
| | | | | | | | - Vicente Villanueva
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, member of EpiCARE, Valencia, Spain
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15
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Catalán-Aguilar J, González-Bono E, Lozano-García A, Tormos-Pons P, Hampel KG, Villanueva V, Cano-López I. Stress phenotypes in epilepsy: impact on cognitive functioning and quality of life. Front Psychol 2023; 14:1100101. [PMID: 37388654 PMCID: PMC10300421 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1100101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Drug-resistant epilepsy has been proposed as a chronic stress model. Stress can be measured in terms of chronicity (epilepsy duration) and intensity (comorbidities), with depression and anxiety among the most important comorbidities in epilepsy due to its prevalence and its relationship with cognitive functioning and quality of life. This study aims to establish phenotypes according to how patients face a stressful condition (epilepsy) and examine differences in cognition and quality of life depending on these phenotypes. We hypothesize that there will be an interrelationship between epilepsy duration and negative affectivity, and these variables will influence cognition and quality of life. Methods 170 patients (82 men and 88 women) underwent a neuropsychological evaluation in which trait anxiety, depression, attention and executive function, verbal and visual memory, language, emotional recognition, and quality of life were assessed. Hierarchical clustering was performed using z-scores for three variables: trait anxiety; depression; and epilepsy duration. Results Three clusters were found: vulnerable (high negative affectivity and short duration); resilient (moderate negative affectivity and long duration); and low-impact group (low negative affectivity and short duration). Results show that the vulnerable group had poorer cognitive functioning and quality of life than the other groups. Specifically, the vulnerable group had poorer scores than the low-impact group on verbal memory, visual confrontation naming, and quality of life (except seizure worry). Furthermore, resilient patients had better scores than the low-impact group on cognitive flexibility variables, but lower scores on some quality-of-life subscales (i.e., overall quality of life, emotional well-being, and energy). Finally, the vulnerable group had poorer scores than the resilient group in executive functioning, naming, and quality of life. Discussion These results suggest that dealing with stress in patients with epilepsy is related to cognitive performance and quality of life. These findings underline the relevance of considering comorbidities in epilepsy and may be useful for detecting vulnerable or resilient profiles as risk or protective factors for cognitive and quality of life decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judit Catalán-Aguilar
- Institut d’Investigació en Psicologia dels Recursos Humans, del Desenvolupament Organitzacional i de la Qualitat de Vida Laboral (Idocal)/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology Center, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Esperanza González-Bono
- Institut d’Investigació en Psicologia dels Recursos Humans, del Desenvolupament Organitzacional i de la Qualitat de Vida Laboral (Idocal)/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology Center, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Alejandro Lozano-García
- Institut d’Investigació en Psicologia dels Recursos Humans, del Desenvolupament Organitzacional i de la Qualitat de Vida Laboral (Idocal)/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology Center, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Paula Tormos-Pons
- Institut d’Investigació en Psicologia dels Recursos Humans, del Desenvolupament Organitzacional i de la Qualitat de Vida Laboral (Idocal)/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology Center, Universitat de València, Valencia, Spain
| | - Kevin G. Hampel
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Service Member of ERN EPICARE, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Vicente Villanueva
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Service Member of ERN EPICARE, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Irene Cano-López
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Valencian International University, Valencia, Spain
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Nabbout R, Arzimanoglou A, Auvin S, Berquin P, Desurkar A, Fuller D, Nortvedt C, Pulitano P, Rosati A, Soto V, Villanueva V, Cross JH. Retrospective chart review study of use of cannabidiol (CBD) independent of concomitant clobazam use in patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome or Dravet syndrome. Seizure 2023; 110:78-85. [PMID: 37331197 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2023.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 05/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This retrospective chart review study (GWEP20052) evaluated plant-derived highly purified cannabidiol (CBD; Epidyolex®; 100 mg/mL oral solution) use without clobazam as add-on therapy in patients aged ≥2 years with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) or Dravet syndrome (DS) enrolled in a European Early Access Program. METHODS Data were extracted from patient charts covering a period starting 3 months before CBD treatment and concluding after 12 months of CBD treatment, or sooner if a patient discontinued CBD or started clobazam. RESULTS Of 114 enrolled patients, data were available for 107 (92 LGS, 15 DS) who received CBD without clobazam for ≥3 months. Mean age: 14.5 (LGS) and 10.5 (DS) years; female: 44% (LGS) and 67% (DS). Mean time-averaged CBD dose: 13.54 (LGS) and 11.56 (DS) mg/kg/day. Median change from baseline in seizure frequency per 28 days over 3-month intervals varied from -6.2% to -20.9% for LGS and 0% to -16.7% for DS. Achievement of ≥50% reduction in drop (LGS) or convulsive (DS) seizures at 3 and 12 months: LGS, 19% (n = 69) and 30% (n = 53); DS, 21% (n = 14) and 13% (n = 8). Retention on CBD without clobazam (enrolled set): 94%, 80%, 69%, and 63% at 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Adverse event (AE) incidence was 31%, most commonly somnolence, seizure, diarrhea, and decreased appetite. Two patients discontinued CBD owing to AEs, and four patients with LGS experienced elevated liver enzymes. CONCLUSION Results support favorable effectiveness and retention of CBD without concomitant clobazam for up to 12 months in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rima Nabbout
- Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris (APHP), Member of the European Reference Network (ERN) EpiCARE, Necker Enfants Malades University Hospital, Université Paris Cité, 149 Rue de Sèvres, 75015 Paris, France; INSERM U1163, Institut Imagine, 24 Bd du Montparnasse, 75015 Paris, France.
| | - Alexis Arzimanoglou
- Paediatric Epilepsy Department, Coordinator of the ERN EpiCARE, University Hospitals of Lyon, 59 Bd Pinel, 60700 Lyon, France; Epilepsy Research Unit, Member of the ERN EpiCARE, Hospital San Juan de Déu, Passeig de Sant Joan de Déu, 2, 08950 Esplugues de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Stéphane Auvin
- APHP, Service de Neurologie Pédiatrique, Member of the ERN EpiCARE, Hôpital Robert Debré, 48 Bd Sérurier, 75019 Paris, France; INSERM NeuroDiderot, Université Paris-Cité, 48 Bd Sérurier, 75019 Paris, France; Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), 1 Rue Descartes, Île-de-France, 75005 Paris, France
| | - Patrick Berquin
- Centre Hospitalier Universitaire (CHU) Amiens-Picardie Site Sud, Service de Neurologie Pédiatrique, 1 Rond Point du Pr Christian Cabrol, 80054 Amiens CEDEX, France
| | - Archana Desurkar
- Sheffield Children's Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Clarkson St, Broomhall, Sheffield S10 2TH, UK
| | - Douglas Fuller
- Jazz Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 3170 Porter Dr, Palo Alto, CA 94304, USA
| | | | - Patrizia Pulitano
- Department of Human Neurosciences, Policlinico Umberto I, Sapienza University of Rome, Viale Regina Elena, 324, 00161 Roma RM, Italy
| | - Anna Rosati
- Neuroscience Department, Children's Hospital Anna Meyer, University of Florence, Viale Gaetano Pieraccini, 24, 50139 Firenze FI, Italy
| | - Victor Soto
- Department of Neurology, Member of the ERN EpiCARE, Hospital Universitario Niño Jesus, Av. de Menéndez Pelayo, 65, 28009 Madrid, Spain
| | - Vicente Villanueva
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Avenida Fernando Abril Martorell, 106, 46026 València, Spain
| | - J Helen Cross
- UCL, National Institute of Health and Social Care Research (NIHR) Great Ormond Street Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), Institute of Child Health, 30 Guilford St, London WC1N 1EH, UK
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Fernández-Anaya S, Villanueva V, Serratosa JM, Rico-Villademoros F, Rojo R, Sarasa P. Initial monotherapy with eslicarbazepine acetate for the management of adult patients with focal epilepsy in clinical practice: a meta-analysis of observational studies. Int J Neurosci 2023; 133:430-440. [PMID: 33993841 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2021.1925667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
AIM OF THE STUDY To assess the effectiveness, overall tolerability of eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) as an initial or early monotherapy treatment of adult patients with focal epilepsy under real-world practice conditions. MATERIALS AND METHODS We focused on real-world longitudinal studies that included or separately reported the results of at least one of the efficacy outcomes of interest. A DerSimonian-Laird random effects model was used with the presentation of the 95% confidence intervals of the estimate. RESULTS 5 studies met our selection criteria and were included in the quantitative synthesis. All studies were observational and uncontrolled studies, and all but one were retrospective studies. The pooled proportion of patients who were seizure-free for the entire study period was 64.6% (95% CI, 45.7 to 79.8) at month 6 and 56.6% (95% CI, 50.2 to 62.8) at month 12. Pooled retention rates were 95.0% (95% CI, 90.3 to 97.5) at 6 months and 83.6% (95% CI, 73.9 to 90.1) at 12 months. The pooled proportion of patients who reported at least one adverse event was 27.2% (95% CI, 21.7 to 33.6), and the pooled proportion of patients who discontinued ESL due to adverse events was 8.9% (95% CI 6.2 to 12.6). CONCLUSIONS Our results suggest that initial or early monotherapy with ESL is effective and well-tolerated for the management of adult patients with focal epilepsy in clinical practice, with results that are at least similar to those reported in the pivotal randomized clinical trial of ESL monotherapy. No new safety signals with ESL have been identified in this systematic review.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vicente Villanueva
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - José M Serratosa
- Epilepsy Unit/Neurology Service, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz and IIS Fundación Jiménez Díaz UAM, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Rosa Rojo
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Alfonso X El Sabio University, Madrid, Spain
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Liguori C, Santamarina E, Strzelczyk A, Rodríguez-Uranga JJ, Shankar R, Rodríguez-Osorio X, Auvin S, Bonanni P, Trinka E, McMurray R, Sáinz-Fuertes R, Villanueva V. Perampanel outcomes at different stages of treatment in people with focal and generalized epilepsy treated in clinical practice: Evidence from the PERMIT study. Front Neurol 2023; 14:1120150. [PMID: 37064177 PMCID: PMC10098362 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1120150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionThe PERMIT study is the largest pooled analysis of perampanel (PER) clinical practice data conducted to date.MethodsThis post-hoc analysis of PERMIT investigated the effectiveness, safety and tolerability of PER when used as early add-on therapy (after failure of one or two previous antiseizure medications) in comparison with late add-on therapy (after failure of three or more previous antiseizure medications). Retention and effectiveness were assessed after 3, 6, and 12 months, and at the last visit (last observation carried forward). Effectiveness was assessed by seizure type (total seizures, focal seizures, generalized tonic-clonic seizures [GTCS]) and assessments included seizure freedom rate and responder rate. Safety and tolerability were assessed by evaluating adverse events (AEs) and discontinuation due to AEs.ResultsThe Full Analysis Set included 1184 and 2861 PWE treated with PER as early and late add-on therapy, respectively. Compared to the late add-on subgroup, the early add-on subgroup was characterized by later mean age at epilepsy onset, shorter mean duration of epilepsy, lower rates of intellectual disability and psychiatric comorbidity, and lower frequency of seizures per month, suggesting a less severe form of epilepsy in this subgroup. After 12 months, retention was significantly higher in the early versus late add-on subgroup (67.7% vs. 62.4%; p = 0.004). At the last visit, responder rates in the early versus late add-on subgroup were significantly higher for total seizures (68.2% vs. 39.3%; p < 0.001), focal seizures (65.0% vs. 36.8%; p < 0.001) and GTCS (83.7% vs. 67.2%; p < 0.001), as were seizure freedom rates (total seizures, 35.9% vs. 11.9% [p < 0.001]; focal seizures, 29.4% vs. 8.7% [p < 0.001]; GTCS, 69.0% vs. 48.1% [p < 0.001]). Incidence of AEs was significantly lower in the early versus late add-on subgroup (42.1% vs. 54.7%; p < 0.001), as was the rate of discontinuation due to AEs over 12 months (15.0% vs. 18.1%; p = 0.031).DiscussionThis study demonstrated that PER was effective and generally well tolerated when initiated as early or late add-on therapy, but it was significantly more effective and better tolerated when initiated early. These findings support PER's use as a broad-spectrum, early add-on therapy for use in PWE with focal and generalized seizures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Liguori
- Epilepsy Centre, Neurology Unit, University Hospital “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
- Department of Systems Medicine, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Rome, Italy
- *Correspondence: Claudio Liguori
| | - Estevo Santamarina
- Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Department, Vall d'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Adam Strzelczyk
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Department of Neurology, Goethe University, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | | | - Rohit Shankar
- Peninsula School of Medicine, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - Xiana Rodríguez-Osorio
- Department of Neurology, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago, Santiago, Spain
| | - Stéphane Auvin
- Université Paris Cité, INSERM NeuroDiderot, Paris, France
- APHP, Robert Debré University Hospital, Pediatric Neurology Department, CRMR Epilepsies Rares, EpiCare Member, Paris, France
- Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), Paris, France
| | - Paolo Bonanni
- Epilpesy and Clinical Neurophysiology Unit, Scientific Institute, IRCCS Eugenio Medea, Conegliano, Treviso, Italy
| | - Eugen Trinka
- Department of Neurology, Christian-Doppler University Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Member of EpiCARE, Salzburg, Austria
- Neuroscience Institute, Christian-Doppler University Hospital, Paracelsus Medical University, Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, Salzburg, Austria
- Institute of Public Health, Medical Decision-Making and HTA, UMIT–Private University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Hall in Tyrol, Austria
| | | | | | - Vicente Villanueva
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
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Cano-López I, Lozano-García A, Catalán-Aguilar J, Hampel KG, Villanueva V, González-Bono E. The relationship between memory and quality of life is mediated by trait anxiety in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy. Qual Life Res 2023; 32:739-747. [PMID: 36418526 DOI: 10.1007/s11136-022-03306-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 11/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Memory deficits are very frequent in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, but they predict a small proportion of variance of their quality of life (QOL) in previous studies, possibly due to the lack of consideration of mediating factors of this relationship. This study aimed to examine whether trait anxiety mediates the relationship between memory and QOL in this population, controlling the influence of demographic and seizure-related factors. METHODS In this cross-sectional study, 119 adults with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) underwent a neuropsychological evaluation, in which memory, anxiety, and QOL were assessed. RESULTS In the total sample, better delayed memory had an effect on better QOL indirectly through lower trait anxiety (B = 0.13, SE = 0.06, p = 0.04, abcs = 0.13; κ2 = 0.18; PMind = 0.76). Additionally, delayed memory has not a direct association with QOL (B = 0.04, SE = 0.09, p = 0.64, Cohen's f 2 = 0.005; PMdir = 0.24), and the total effect of delayed memory on QOL tended to reach statistical significance (B = 0.17, SE = 0.10, p = 0.08). The proposed mediation model yielded excellent fit (CFI = 1.00, RMSEA = 0.0001, SRMR = 0.009, and χ2 (1) = 0.50, p = 0.48) and explained 38% of the variance of QOL. CONCLUSION These findings suggest that trait anxiety is an important factor in understanding the relationship between memory and QOL in patients with TLE, considering the influence of demographic and seizure-related variables, and may have relevant implications for decision-making in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irene Cano-López
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Valencian International University, C/Pintor Sorolla, 21, 46002, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Alejandro Lozano-García
- IDOCAL/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology Center, University of Valencia, Avda. Blasco Ibañez, 21, 46010, Valencia, Spain
| | - Judit Catalán-Aguilar
- IDOCAL/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology Center, University of Valencia, Avda. Blasco Ibañez, 21, 46010, Valencia, Spain
| | - Kevin G Hampel
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit. Neurology Service. Member of ERN EPICARE, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Bulevar Sur, S/N Carretera de Malilla, 46026, Valencia, Spain
| | - Vicente Villanueva
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit. Neurology Service. Member of ERN EPICARE, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Bulevar Sur, S/N Carretera de Malilla, 46026, Valencia, Spain
| | - Esperanza González-Bono
- IDOCAL/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology Center, University of Valencia, Avda. Blasco Ibañez, 21, 46010, Valencia, Spain
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Villanueva V, Serratosa JM, Toledo M, Ángel Calleja M, Navarro A, Sabaniego J, Pérez-Domper P, Álvarez-Barón E, Subías S, Gil A. Number needed to treat and associated cost analysis of cenobamate versus third-generation anti-seizure medications for the treatment of focal-onset seizures in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy in Spain. Epilepsy Behav 2023; 139:109054. [PMID: 36603345 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.109054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Epilepsy is a serious neurological disease, ranking high in the top causes of disability. The main goal of its treatment is to achieve seizure freedom without intolerable adverse effects. However, approximately 40% of patients suffer from Drug-Resistant Epilepsy (DRE) despite the availability of the latest options called third-generation Anti-Seizure Medications(ASMs). Cenobamate is the first ASM approved in Spain for the adjunctive treatment of Focal-Onset Seizures (FOS) in adult patients with DRE. The introduction of a new drug increases the number of therapeutic options available, making it important to compare it with existing alternatives in terms of clinical benefit and efficiency. PURPOSE This study aimed to compare the clinical benefit, in terms of the Number Needed to Treat (NNT), and the efficiency, in terms of Cost per NNT (CNT), associated with cenobamate versus third-generation ASMs used in Spain for the adjunctive treatment of FOS in patients with DRE. METHODS The Number Needed to Treat data was calculated based on the ≥50% responder rate and seizure freedom endpoints (defined as the percentage of patients achieving 50% and 100% reduction in seizure frequency, respectively), obtained from pivotal clinical trials performed with cenobamate, brivaracetam, perampanel, lacosamide, and eslicarbazepine acetate. The NNT was established as the inverse of the treatment responder rate minus the placebo responder rate and was calculated based on the minimum, mid-range Daily Defined Dose (DDD), and maximum doses studied in the pivotal clinical trials of each ASM. CNT was calculated by multiplying the annual treatment cost by NNT values for each treatment option. RESULTS In terms of NNT, cenobamate was the ASM associated with the lowest values at all doses for both ≥50% responder rate and seizure freedom compared with the alternatives. In terms of CNT, for ≥50% responder rate, cenobamate was the ASM associated with the lowest CNT values at DDD and lacosamide and eslicarbazepine acetate at the minimum and maximum dose, respectively. For seizure freedom, cenobamate was associated with the lowest CNT value at DDD and the maximum dose and lacosamide at the minimum dose. CONCLUSIONS Cenobamate could represent the most effective ASM in all doses studied compared to the third-generation ASMs and the most efficient option at DDD for both ≥50% responder rate and seizure freedom. This study could represent an important contribution towards informed decision-making regarding the selection of the most appropriate therapy for FOS in adult patients with DRE from a clinical and economical perspective in Spain.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Manuel Toledo
- Hospital Universitari Vall d' Hebron, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | - Andrés Navarro
- Hospital General Universitario de Elche, Alicante, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | - Alicia Gil
- Omakase Consulting S.L., Barcelona, Spain.
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21
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Villanueva V, Artal J, Cabeza-Alvarez CI, Campos D, Castillo A, Flórez G, Franco-Martin M, García-Portilla MP, Giráldez BG, Gotor F, Gutiérrez-Rojas L, Albanell AM, Paniagua G, Pintor L, Poza JJ, Rubio-Granero T, Toledo M, Tortosa-Conesa D, Rodríguez-Uranga J, Bobes J. Proposed Recommendations for the Management of Depression in Adults with Epilepsy: An Expert Consensus. Neurol Ther 2023; 12:479-503. [PMID: 36692706 PMCID: PMC10043101 DOI: 10.1007/s40120-023-00437-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/09/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Experts agree that there is a need for protocols to guide health professionals on how to best manage psychiatric comorbidities in patients with epilepsy (PWE). We aimed to develop practical recommendations for key issues in the management of depression in PWE. METHODS This was a qualitative study conducted in four steps: (1) development of a questionnaire on the management of depression in PWE to be answered; (2) literature review and, if evidence from guidelines/consensus or systematic reviews was available, drafting initial recommendations; (3) a nominal group methodology for reviewing initial recommendations and formulating new recommendations on those issues without available evidence; and (4) drafting and approving the final recommendations. A scientific committee (one neurologist and one psychiatrist) was responsible for the development of the project and its scientific integrity. The scientific committee selected a panel of experts (nine neurologists and nine psychiatrists with experience in this field) to be involved in the nominal group meetings and to formulate final recommendations. RESULTS Fifteen recommendations were formulated. Four on the screening and diagnosis: screening and diagnosis of depression, evaluation of the risk of suicide, and diagnosis of depression secondary to epilepsy; nine on the management of depression: referral to a psychiatrist, selection of the antiseizure medication, change of antiseizure medication, antidepressant treatment initiation, selection of antidepressant, use of antidepressants during pregnancy, use of psychotherapy, antidepressant treatment duration, and discontinuation of antidepressant treatment; two on the follow-up: duration of the follow-up under usual conditions, and follow-up of patients at risk of suicide. CONCLUSION We provide recommendations based on expert opinion consensus to help healthcare professionals assess depression in PWE. The detection and treatment of major depressive disorders are key factors in improving epilepsy outcomes and avoiding suicide risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Villanueva
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico la Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Jesús Artal
- Psychiatry Department, Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla, Av. de Valdecilla, 25, 39008, Santander, Spain.
| | | | - Dulce Campos
- Neurology Department, University Clinical Hospital of Valladolid, Valladolid, Spain
| | - Ascensión Castillo
- Neurology Department, Consorcio Hospital General Universitario Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Gerardo Flórez
- Psychiatry Department, Addiction Treatment Unit, Orense, Spain
| | - Manuel Franco-Martin
- Psychiatry Department, Zamora Hospital (Complejo Asistencial de Zamora), Zamora, Spain
| | - María Paz García-Portilla
- Psychiatry Department, University of Oviedo, ISPA, CIBERSAM, INEUROPA, and Mental Health Services of Principality of Asturias, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Beatriz G Giráldez
- Neurology Department, Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz, Madrid, Spain
| | - Francisco Gotor
- Psychiatry Department, School of Medicine, University Hospital Virgen del Rocio, Seville, Spain
| | | | | | - Gonzalo Paniagua
- Psychiatry Department, University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.,Mental Health Services of Principado de Asturias, SESPA, Oviedo, Spain
| | - Luis Pintor
- Psychiatry Department, Hospital Clínico of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juan José Poza
- Neurology Department, Hospital Universitario Donostia, Donostia, Spain
| | - Teresa Rubio-Granero
- Psychiatry Department, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Manuel Toledo
- Epilepsy Unit, Vall D'Hebron University Hospital, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Diego Tortosa-Conesa
- Neurology Department, Hospital Universitario Virgen de la Arrixaca, Murcia, Spain
| | | | - Julio Bobes
- Medicine-Psychiatry, Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain
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Piña-Garza JE, Villanueva V, Rosenfeld W, Yoshinaga H, Patten A, Malhotra M. Assessment of the long-term efficacy and safety of adjunctive perampanel in adolescent patients with epilepsy: Post hoc analysis of open-label extension studies. Epilepsy Behav 2022; 135:108901. [PMID: 36122531 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.108901] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 08/10/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This post hoc analysis of four open-label extension (OLEx) studies evaluated the long-term efficacy and safety of adjunctive perampanel in adolescent patients (aged 12 to ≤17 years) with focal-onset seizures (FOS), with/without focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures (FBTCS), or generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS). METHODS Patients who completed one of six double-blind, placebo-controlled studies could enter one of four OLEx studies comprising a blinded Conversion Period (6-16 weeks) followed by a Maintenance Phase (27 to ≤256 weeks; perampanel dose: ≤12 mg/day). Exposure, retention, seizure outcomes, and treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) were analyzed. Efficacy outcomes were analyzed using observed case and last observation carried forward (LOCF) approaches; the latter was used to account for early dropouts. RESULTS The Full Analysis Set comprised 309 adolescents with FOS (FBTCS, n = 109) and 19 with GTCS, and the Safety Analysis Set comprised 311 with FOS (FBTCS, n = 110) and 19 with GTCS. Mean (standard deviation) cumulative duration of perampanel exposure (weeks) was: FOS, 77.7 (58.7); FBTCS, 88.7 (63.8); and GTCS, 97.0 (35.5). Retention rates were maintained for ≤2 years (FOS, 50.0 %; FBTCS, 57.1 %; GTCS, 41.7 %). Seizure control (median percent reduction in seizure frequency/28 days) was sustained for up to 2 years; FOS (59.4 %, n = 113), FBTCS (64.6 %, n = 53), and GTCS (86.5 %, n = 17). At Year 2, 50 % responder rates were: FOS, 58.4 % (n = 66); FBTCS, 54.7 % (n = 29); and GTCS, 82.4 % (n = 14); seizure-freedom rates were: FOS, 5.3 % (n = 6); FBTCS, 24.5 % (n = 13); and GTCS, 35.3 % (n = 6). Long-term seizure control was observed even in LOCF analyses. The incidence of TEAEs was highest during Year 1 (FOS, n = 269 [86.5 %]; FBTCS, n = 95 [86.4 %]; GTCS, n = 15 [78.9 %]), compared with Years 2-4; the most common (≥10 % of patients) were dizziness, somnolence, and nasopharyngitis. No new safety signals emerged with long-term treatment. CONCLUSIONS This post hoc analysis suggests that long-term (≤2 years) adjunctive perampanel (≤12 mg/day) is efficacious and generally well tolerated in adolescent patients with FOS, with or without FBTCS, or GTCS.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Eric Piña-Garza
- The Children's Hospital at TriStar Centennial, 330 23rd Avenue North, Suite 580, Nashville, TN 37203, USA.
| | - Vicente Villanueva
- Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Avinguda de Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026 Valencia, Spain.
| | - William Rosenfeld
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Care Center for Children and Adults, 11134 Conway Road, St. Louis, MO 63131, USA.
| | - Harumi Yoshinaga
- National Hospital Organization, Minami-Okayama Medical Center, 4066 Hayashimacho Hayashima, Tsukubo-gun, Okayama 701-0304, Japan.
| | - Anna Patten
- Eisai Europe Ltd., Mosquito Way, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL10 9SN, UK.
| | - Manoj Malhotra
- Formerly: Eisai Inc., 200 Metro Blvd., Nutley, NJ 07110, USA.
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Hahn CD, Jiang Y, Villanueva V, Zolnowska M, Arkilo D, Hsiao S, Asgharnejad M, Dlugos D. A phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of soticlestat as adjunctive therapy in pediatric patients with Dravet syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (ELEKTRA). Epilepsia 2022; 63:2671-2683. [PMID: 35841234 PMCID: PMC9804149 DOI: 10.1111/epi.17367] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Dravet syndrome (DS) and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) are rare treatment-resistant childhood epilepsies classed as developmental and epileptic encephalopathies. ELEKTRA investigated the efficacy and safety of soticlestat (TAK-935) as adjunctive therapy in children with DS or LGS (NCT03650452). METHODS ELEKTRA was a phase 2, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study of soticlestat (≤300 mg twice daily, weight-adjusted) in children (aged 2-17 years) with DS, demonstrating three or more convulsive seizures/month, or with LGS, demonstrating four or more drop seizures/month at baseline. The 20-week treatment period comprised an 8-week dose-optimization period and a 12-week maintenance period. Efficacy endpoints included change from baseline in seizure frequency versus placebo. Safety assessments included incidence of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). RESULTS ELEKTRA enrolled 141 participants; 126 (89%) completed the study. The modified intent-to-treat population included 139 participants who received one or more doses of study drug and had one or more efficacy assessments (DS, n = 51; LGS, n = 88). ELEKTRA achieved its primary endpoint: the combined soticlestat-treated population demonstrated a placebo-adjusted median reduction in seizure frequency of 30.21% during the maintenance period (p = .0008, n = 139). During this period, placebo-adjusted median reductions in convulsive and drop seizure frequencies of 50.00% (p = .0002; patients with DS) and 17.08% (p = .1160; patients with LGS), respectively, were observed. TEAE incidences were similar between the soticlestat (80.3%) and placebo (74.3%) groups and were mostly mild or moderate in severity. Serious TEAEs were reported by 15.5% and 18.6% of participants receiving soticlestat and placebo, respectively. TEAEs reported in soticlestat-treated patients with ≥5% difference from placebo were lethargy and constipation. No deaths were reported. SIGNIFICANCE Soticlestat treatment resulted in statistically significant, clinically meaningful reductions from baseline in median seizure frequency (combined patient population) and in convulsive seizure frequency (DS cohort). Drop seizure frequency showed a nonstatistically significant numerical reduction in children with LGS. Soticlestat had a safety profile consistent with previous studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecil D. Hahn
- Division of Neurology, Hospital for Sick Children and Department of PaediatricsUniversity of TorontoTorontoOntarioCanada
| | - Yuwu Jiang
- Department of PediatricsPeking University First HospitalBeijingChina
| | - Vicente Villanueva
- Refractory Epilepsy UnitLa Fe University and Polytechnic HospitalValenciaSpain
| | | | | | - Samuel Hsiao
- Takeda Pharmaceutical Company LimitedCambridgeMassachusettsUSA
| | | | - Dennis Dlugos
- Division of Neurology, Children's Hospital of PhiladelphiaUniversity of PennsylvaniaPhiladelphiaPennsylvaniaUSA
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Klein P, Aboumatar S, Brandt C, Dong F, Krauss GL, Mizne S, Sánchez-Álvarez JC, Steinhoff BJ, Villanueva V. Long-term Efficacy and Safety From an Open-Label Extension of Adjunctive Cenobamate in Patients With Uncontrolled Focal Seizures. Neurology 2022; 99:e989-e998. [PMID: 35705501 PMCID: PMC9519254 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000200792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2021] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES To evaluate long-term efficacy (percent seizure frequency reduction and responder rates), safety, and tolerability of adjunctive cenobamate (CNB) in an open-label extension (OLE) of the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. METHODS Patients (aged 18-70 years) with uncontrolled focal seizures despite treatment with 1-3 antiseizure medications who completed the 18-week double-blind study (n = 360) could enter the OLE, where they underwent a 2-week blinded conversion to CNB (target dose, 300 mg/d; min/max, 50/400 mg/d). RESULTS Three hundred fifty-five patients were included in the OLE safety population (265 originally randomized to CNB, 90 originally randomized to placebo), and 354 were included in the OLE modified intent-to-treat population. As of July 2019, 58.9% of patients (209/355) were continuing CNB treatment and 141 had discontinued, including 16.6% (59/355) because of lack of efficacy, 8.7% (31/355) because of withdrawal by patient, and 7.6% (27/355) because of adverse events. The median (range) duration of OLE exposure was 53.9 (1.1-68.7) months. Retention rates at 12, 24, 36, and 48 months were 83%, 71%, 65%, and 62%, respectively. Median percent seizure frequency reduction over baseline increased with each 6-month OLE interval, up to 76.1% at months 43-48. Among observed patients, 16.4% (36/220) achieved 100% and 39.1% (86/220) achieved ≥90% seizure reduction during >36-48 months. Among the initial OLE modified intent-to-treat population, 10.2% of patients (36/354) achieved 100% and 24.3% (86/354) achieved ≥90% seizure reduction during >36-48 months. Similar to the double-blind study, adverse events (AEs) included dizziness, somnolence, fatigue, and headache. Serious AEs occurred in 20.3% of patients (72/355). DISCUSSION Long-term efficacy, including 100% and ≥90% seizure reduction, was sustained during 48 months of CNB treatment, with 71% retention at 24 months. No new safety issues were identified. These results confirm the findings of the double-blind study and support the potential long-term clinical benefit of CNB. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE This study provides Class IV evidence that oral CNB 50-400 mg/d is effective as an adjunctive treatment for the long-term management of patients with uncontrolled focal seizures previously treated with 1-3 ASMs. TRIAL REGISTRATION INFORMATION ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01866111 (clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/results/NCT01866111).
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Affiliation(s)
- Pavel Klein
- From the Mid-Atlantic Epilepsy and Sleep Center (P.K.), Bethesda, MD; Austin Epilepsy Care Center (S.A.), Austin, TX; Bethel Epilepsy Centre (C.B.), Mara Hospital, Bielefeld, Germany; SK Life Science, Inc. (F.D.), Paramus, NJ; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (G.L.K.), Baltimore, MD; MedVal Scientific Information Services (S.M.), Princeton, NJ; Unidad de Epilepsia (J.C.S.-A.), Hospital Vithas la Salud, Granada, Spain; Kork Epilepsy Center (B.J.S.), Kehl-Kork, Germany; Department of Neurology and Neurophysiology (B.J.S.), University of Freiburg, Germany; and Refractory Epilepsy Unit (V.V.), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Sami Aboumatar
- From the Mid-Atlantic Epilepsy and Sleep Center (P.K.), Bethesda, MD; Austin Epilepsy Care Center (S.A.), Austin, TX; Bethel Epilepsy Centre (C.B.), Mara Hospital, Bielefeld, Germany; SK Life Science, Inc. (F.D.), Paramus, NJ; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (G.L.K.), Baltimore, MD; MedVal Scientific Information Services (S.M.), Princeton, NJ; Unidad de Epilepsia (J.C.S.-A.), Hospital Vithas la Salud, Granada, Spain; Kork Epilepsy Center (B.J.S.), Kehl-Kork, Germany; Department of Neurology and Neurophysiology (B.J.S.), University of Freiburg, Germany; and Refractory Epilepsy Unit (V.V.), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Christian Brandt
- From the Mid-Atlantic Epilepsy and Sleep Center (P.K.), Bethesda, MD; Austin Epilepsy Care Center (S.A.), Austin, TX; Bethel Epilepsy Centre (C.B.), Mara Hospital, Bielefeld, Germany; SK Life Science, Inc. (F.D.), Paramus, NJ; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (G.L.K.), Baltimore, MD; MedVal Scientific Information Services (S.M.), Princeton, NJ; Unidad de Epilepsia (J.C.S.-A.), Hospital Vithas la Salud, Granada, Spain; Kork Epilepsy Center (B.J.S.), Kehl-Kork, Germany; Department of Neurology and Neurophysiology (B.J.S.), University of Freiburg, Germany; and Refractory Epilepsy Unit (V.V.), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Fang Dong
- From the Mid-Atlantic Epilepsy and Sleep Center (P.K.), Bethesda, MD; Austin Epilepsy Care Center (S.A.), Austin, TX; Bethel Epilepsy Centre (C.B.), Mara Hospital, Bielefeld, Germany; SK Life Science, Inc. (F.D.), Paramus, NJ; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (G.L.K.), Baltimore, MD; MedVal Scientific Information Services (S.M.), Princeton, NJ; Unidad de Epilepsia (J.C.S.-A.), Hospital Vithas la Salud, Granada, Spain; Kork Epilepsy Center (B.J.S.), Kehl-Kork, Germany; Department of Neurology and Neurophysiology (B.J.S.), University of Freiburg, Germany; and Refractory Epilepsy Unit (V.V.), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Gregory L Krauss
- From the Mid-Atlantic Epilepsy and Sleep Center (P.K.), Bethesda, MD; Austin Epilepsy Care Center (S.A.), Austin, TX; Bethel Epilepsy Centre (C.B.), Mara Hospital, Bielefeld, Germany; SK Life Science, Inc. (F.D.), Paramus, NJ; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (G.L.K.), Baltimore, MD; MedVal Scientific Information Services (S.M.), Princeton, NJ; Unidad de Epilepsia (J.C.S.-A.), Hospital Vithas la Salud, Granada, Spain; Kork Epilepsy Center (B.J.S.), Kehl-Kork, Germany; Department of Neurology and Neurophysiology (B.J.S.), University of Freiburg, Germany; and Refractory Epilepsy Unit (V.V.), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Sarah Mizne
- From the Mid-Atlantic Epilepsy and Sleep Center (P.K.), Bethesda, MD; Austin Epilepsy Care Center (S.A.), Austin, TX; Bethel Epilepsy Centre (C.B.), Mara Hospital, Bielefeld, Germany; SK Life Science, Inc. (F.D.), Paramus, NJ; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (G.L.K.), Baltimore, MD; MedVal Scientific Information Services (S.M.), Princeton, NJ; Unidad de Epilepsia (J.C.S.-A.), Hospital Vithas la Salud, Granada, Spain; Kork Epilepsy Center (B.J.S.), Kehl-Kork, Germany; Department of Neurology and Neurophysiology (B.J.S.), University of Freiburg, Germany; and Refractory Epilepsy Unit (V.V.), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Juan Carlos Sánchez-Álvarez
- From the Mid-Atlantic Epilepsy and Sleep Center (P.K.), Bethesda, MD; Austin Epilepsy Care Center (S.A.), Austin, TX; Bethel Epilepsy Centre (C.B.), Mara Hospital, Bielefeld, Germany; SK Life Science, Inc. (F.D.), Paramus, NJ; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (G.L.K.), Baltimore, MD; MedVal Scientific Information Services (S.M.), Princeton, NJ; Unidad de Epilepsia (J.C.S.-A.), Hospital Vithas la Salud, Granada, Spain; Kork Epilepsy Center (B.J.S.), Kehl-Kork, Germany; Department of Neurology and Neurophysiology (B.J.S.), University of Freiburg, Germany; and Refractory Epilepsy Unit (V.V.), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Bernhard J Steinhoff
- From the Mid-Atlantic Epilepsy and Sleep Center (P.K.), Bethesda, MD; Austin Epilepsy Care Center (S.A.), Austin, TX; Bethel Epilepsy Centre (C.B.), Mara Hospital, Bielefeld, Germany; SK Life Science, Inc. (F.D.), Paramus, NJ; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (G.L.K.), Baltimore, MD; MedVal Scientific Information Services (S.M.), Princeton, NJ; Unidad de Epilepsia (J.C.S.-A.), Hospital Vithas la Salud, Granada, Spain; Kork Epilepsy Center (B.J.S.), Kehl-Kork, Germany; Department of Neurology and Neurophysiology (B.J.S.), University of Freiburg, Germany; and Refractory Epilepsy Unit (V.V.), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Vicente Villanueva
- From the Mid-Atlantic Epilepsy and Sleep Center (P.K.), Bethesda, MD; Austin Epilepsy Care Center (S.A.), Austin, TX; Bethel Epilepsy Centre (C.B.), Mara Hospital, Bielefeld, Germany; SK Life Science, Inc. (F.D.), Paramus, NJ; Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine (G.L.K.), Baltimore, MD; MedVal Scientific Information Services (S.M.), Princeton, NJ; Unidad de Epilepsia (J.C.S.-A.), Hospital Vithas la Salud, Granada, Spain; Kork Epilepsy Center (B.J.S.), Kehl-Kork, Germany; Department of Neurology and Neurophysiology (B.J.S.), University of Freiburg, Germany; and Refractory Epilepsy Unit (V.V.), Hospital Universitari i Politècnic La Fe, Valencia, Spain
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Coppola A, Izumoto S, Rodríguez-Osorio X, Wu T, D’Souza W, Maschio M, Goldman S, Valente Fernandes M, Villanueva V. P11.08.A Clinical practice evidence for perampanel in epilepsy patients with tumour aetiology. Neuro Oncol 2022. [DOI: 10.1093/neuonc/noac174.197] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Abstract
Background
Real-world studies can provide information on those patients routinely excluded from clinical trials such as epilepsy patients with tumour aetiology. Perampanel (PER) is a once-daily oral anti-seizure medication for focal-onset seizures, with or without focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures, and generalised tonic-clonic seizures. This study evaluated PER’s effectiveness and safety when used in everyday clinical practice to treat epilepsy patients with tumour aetiology.
Material and Methods
Patients with epilepsy with tumour aetiology were identified from a pooled analysis of 44 prospective/retrospective/cross-sectional clinical practice studies. Retention was assessed after 3, 6 and 12 months of PER treatment. Effectiveness assessments comprised responder rate (≥50% seizure frequency reduction), seizure freedom rate (no seizures since at least the prior visit), and the proportions of patients with unchanged or worsening seizure frequency. Adverse events (AEs), psychiatric AEs, and AEs leading to discontinuation were also evaluated.
Results
Overall, 127 patients with focal-onset and/or generalised-onset seizures with tumour aetiology were identified (mean age, 46.6 years; 54.8% male; mean duration of epilepsy, 9.7 years). Seizure types at baseline were focal-onset only (97.6%), generalised-onset only (1.6%), and focal-onset and generalized-onset (0.8%). Mean (standard deviation) PER doses at baseline and last visit were 2.6 (1.4) and 5.8 (2.5) mg/day, respectively. At 3, 6 and 12 months, retention rates were 88.0%, 79.5% and 65.3%, respectively. Reasons for discontinuation included AEs (16.8%) and lack of efficacy (5.3%). Mean time under PER treatment was 11.0 months. At 12 months, 71.2% of patients were responders and 38.3% were seizure free; 11.9% and 3.4% of patients had unchanged and worsening seizure frequency, respectively. At the last visit (last observation carried forward), responder and seizure freedom rates were 66.9% and 34.2%, respectively, and the percentages of patients with unchanged or worsening seizure frequency were 15.3% and 6.8%, respectively. AEs were reported for 36.2% of patients, most frequently dizziness/vertigo (13.8%) and somnolence (9.5%). AEs led to discontinuation of 16.8% of patients over 12 months and 13.0% of patients experienced psychiatric AEs.
Conclusion
PER was effective and generally well tolerated when used to treat patients with epilepsy with tumour aetiology in clinical practice. Supported by Eisai
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Affiliation(s)
- A Coppola
- Epilepsy Centre, Department of Neuroscience, Odontostomatological and Reproductive Sciences, Federico II University of Naples , Naples , Italy
| | - S Izumoto
- Department of Neurosurgery, Kindai University , Osaka-Sayama , Japan
| | - X Rodríguez-Osorio
- Department of Neurology, Complexo Hospitalario Universitario de Santiago , Santiago , Spain
| | - T Wu
- Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou Medical Center and Chang Gung University College of Medicine , Taoyuan , Taiwan
| | - W D’Souza
- Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne, The University of Melbourne , Melbourne , Australia
| | - M Maschio
- Center for Brain Tumor-Related Epilepsy, UOSD Neuro-Oncology, I.R.C.C.S. Regina Elena National Cancer Institute , Rome , Italy
| | - S Goldman
- Eisai Europe Ltd , Hatfield , United Kingdom
| | - M Valente Fernandes
- Neurology Department, Instituto Português de Oncologia de Lisboa , Lisbon , Portugal
| | - V Villanueva
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe , Valencia , Spain
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Alsaadi T, Toledo M, Loro FA, Trinka E, Wu T, Malhotra M, Ngo LY, Gil-Nagel A, Villanueva V. 070 Real-world experience of perampanel monotherapy in epilepsy patients with focal-onset and generalised-onset seizures. J Neurol Psychiatry 2022. [DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2022-abn2.114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
Data from 44 pooled clinical practice studies were compared for epilepsy patients with focal-onset and/or generalised-onset seizures treated with perampanel (PER) monotherapy (n=268) (first-line or conversion to monotherapy). Retention was assessed after 3, 6 and 12 months of PER treatment. Seizure freedom rates and responder rates (≥50% seizure frequency reduction), assessed by seizure type at last visit were evaluated (last observation carried forward). Adverse events (AEs) and discontinuation due to AEs were evaluated. Seizure types at baseline were focal-onset only (75.0%), generalised-onset only (24.5%), and focal-onset and generalised-onset (0.5%). At 3, 6 and 12 months, retention rates were 91.1%, 87.3% and 73.3%, respectively. At last visit, seizure freedom rates in patients with focal-onset and generalised-onset seizures were 64.1% and 69.4%, respectively; corresponding responder rates were 84.4% and 93.9%, respec- tively. AEs were reported for 45.2% of patients, with the most frequent (≥10% of patients) being dizziness/vertigo (16.8%) and irritability (11.2%); 13.7% of patients discontinued due to AEs over 12 months. Psychiatric AEs were reported for 20.8% of patients. In conclusion, PER was effective and generally well-tolerated as monotherapy for focal-onset and/or generalised-onset seizures in everyday clinical practice. At last visit, approximately two-thirds of patients were seizure free.Supported by Eisai
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Aledo-Serrano Á, Mingorance A, Villanueva V, García-Peñas JJ, Gil-Nagel A, Boronat S, Aibar J, Cámara S, Yániz MJ, Aras LM, Blanco B, Sánchez-Carpintero R. The Charlotte Project: Recommendations for patient-reported outcomes and clinical parameters in Dravet syndrome through a qualitative and Delphi consensus study. Front Neurol 2022; 13:975034. [PMID: 36119672 PMCID: PMC9481303 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2022.975034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective The appropriate management of patients with Dravet Syndrome (DS) is challenging, given the severity of symptoms and the burden of the disease for patients and caregivers. This study aimed to identify, through a qualitative methodology and a Delphi consensus-driven process, a set of recommendations for the management of DS to guide clinicians in the assessment of the clinical condition and quality of life (QoL) of DS patients, with a special focus on patient- and caregiver-reported outcomes (PROs). Methods This study was conducted in five phases, led by a multidisciplinary scientific committee (SC) including pediatric neurologists, epileptologists, a neuropsychologist, an epilepsy nurse, and members of DS patient advocates. In phases 1 and 2, a questionnaire related to patients' QoL was prepared and answered by caregivers and the SC. In phase 3, the SC generated, based on these answers and on a focus group discussion, a 70-item Delphi questionnaire, covering six topic categories on a nine-point Likert scale. In phase 4, 32 panelists, from different Spanish institutions and with a multidisciplinary background, answered the questionnaire. Consensus was obtained and defined as strong or moderate if ≥80% and 67–79% of panelists, respectively, rated the statement with ≥7. Phase 5 consisted of the preparation of the manuscript. Results The panelists agreed on a total of 69 items (98.6%), 54 (77.14%), and 15 (21.43%) with strong and moderate consensus, respectively. The experts' recommendations included the need for frequent assessment of patient and caregivers QoL parameters. The experts agreed that QoL should be assessed through specific questionnaires covering different domains. Likewise, the results showed consensus regarding the regular evaluation of several clinical parameters related to neurodevelopment, attention, behavior, other comorbidities, and sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP). A consensus was also reached on the instruments, specific parameters, and caregivers' education in the routine clinical management of patients with DS. Conclusions This consensus resulted in a set of recommendations for the assessment of clinical and QoL parameters, including PROs, related to the general evaluation of QoL, neurodevelopment, attention, behavior, other comorbidities affecting QoL, SUDEP, and QoL of caregivers/relatives and patients with DS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángel Aledo-Serrano
- Epilepsy Program, Neurology Department, Ruber Internacional Hospital, Madrid, Spain
- *Correspondence: Ángel Aledo-Serrano
| | - Ana Mingorance
- Dracaena Consulting SL, Loulou Foundation, London, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Antonio Gil-Nagel
- Epilepsy Program, Neurology Department, Ruber Internacional Hospital, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Silvia Cámara
- Hospital Infantil Universitario Niño Jesús, Madrid, Spain
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Santamarina E, Abril-Jaramillo J, Rodriguez-Osorio X, Yamamoto T, McMurray R, Trinka E, D’Souza W, Renna R, Villanueva V. 071 Perampanel as early add-on therapy for focal-onset and generalised-onset seizures in clinical practice. J Neurol Psychiatry 2022. [DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2022-abn2.115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Data from 44 pooled clinical practice studies were compared for epilepsy patients with focal-onset and/or generalised-onset seizures treated with perampanel (PER) as early (n=632) versus late add-on therapy (n=1900). Retention was assessed after 3, 6 and 12 months of PER treatment. Effectiveness assess- ments comprised responder rate (≥50% seizure frequency reduction), seizure freedom rate and rate of unchanged or worsening seizure frequency. Adverse events (AEs) and discontinuation due to AEs were evaluated. Retention was significantly higher with early versus late add-on therapy at all timepoints. At last visit, seizure freedom rate was significantly higher with early versus late add-on therapy (40.1% vs. 8.7%; p<0.001), as was responder rate (73.0% vs. 36.4%; p<0.001); and the proportion of patients with unchanged seizure frequency was significantly lower in the early versus late add-on group (10.2% vs. 31.8%; p<0.001), as was worsening seizure frequency (6.1% vs. 13.6%; p<0.001). Patients treated with early versus late add-on therapy had a significantly lower incidence of AEs (41.8% vs. 54.5%; p<0.001), psychi- atric AEs (18.3% vs. 22.2%; p=0.046), and discontinuation rates due to AEs at 12 months (15.0% vs.18.7%; p=0.045). In conclusion, PER was significantly more effective and better-tolerated as early add-on therapy in everyday clinical practice.Supported by Eisai.
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Ángel Calleja M, Navarro A, Serratosa JM, Toledo M, Villanueva V, Subías Labazuy S, Gil A. Determination of the economically justifiable price of cenobamate in the treatment of focal-onset seizures in adult patients with drug-resistant epilepsy in Spain. Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res 2022; 22:1127-1136. [PMID: 35904256 DOI: 10.1080/14737167.2022.2107507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To determine the economically justifiable price (EJP) of cenobamate to become a cost-effective alternative compared with third-generation anti-seizure medications in the treatment of focal-onset seizures (FOS) in adult patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) in Spain. METHODS Cost-effectiveness analysis comparing cenobamate with brivaracetam, perampanel, eslicarbazepine acetate and lacosamide. Markov model simulation of treatment pathway over a 60-year time horizon. Determination of effectiveness and quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) of each health status, and disutilities associated with treatment-related adverse events. Acquisition costs and use of medical resources were obtained from published literature and expert opinion. Base-case of cenobamate's EJP calculated applying a willingness-to-pay (WTP) threshold of €21,000/QALY. Analyses performed at different thresholds, including dominant price scenario. Results robustness were assessed through sensitivity analyses. RESULTS Base-case shows that cenobamate's daily EJP of €7.30 is cost-effective for a threshold of €21,000/QALY. At a daily price of €5.45, cenobamate becomes dominant over all treatment alternatives producing cost-savings for the national health system (NHS). Sensitivity analyses supported the robustness of base-case findings. CONCLUSIONS Treatment with cenobamate produces incremental clinical benefit over third generation ASMs and at the base-case EJP could represent a cost-effective option for the adjunctive treatment of FOS in adult patients with DRE in Spain.
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Catalán-Aguilar J, Lozano-García A, González-Bono E, Villanueva V, Hampel KG, Cano-López I. Academic and employment insertion as a factor related to quality of life in patients with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy. Rev Neurol 2022; 74:219-227. [PMID: 35332925 DOI: 10.33588/rn.7407.2020684] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Academic and employment insertion is one of the issues that most concern people with epilepsy, but little is known about its relationship with quality of life. AIM We aimed to analyze the effects of the academic and employment insertion on quality of life, anxiety, depression, social support, and executive functions, and the relationships among these variables in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. PATIENTS AND METHODS Fifty-nine patients with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy were classified into two groups: with academic or employment insertion (n = 25) and without insertion (n = 34) and underwent a neuropsychological evaluation. RESULTS Patients with insertion had a significantly better quality of life, lower trait anxiety, and higher social support, and tended to have a lower percentage of errors and higher percent conceptual level responses than those without insertion. Academic/employment insertion had indirect effects on quality of life through its relationship with global social support and trait anxiety. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide a model for understanding the quality of life in patients with temporal lobe epilepsy for an integral perspective of the patient and points out the key role of increased social support and reduced anxiety associated with academic and employment insertion to improve quality of life. These results could favor the implementation of programs that promote academic or employment reinsertion, considering the relevance of socio-emotional domains.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - V Villanueva
- Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, España
| | - K G Hampel
- Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, España
| | - I Cano-López
- Universidad Internacional de Valencia, Valencia, España
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Lozano-García A, Hampel KG, Gutiérrez A, Villanueva V, Cano-López I, González-Bono E. Clinical utility of Epitrack for differentiating profiles and patterns of post-surgical change in memory and quality of life in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. Appl Neuropsychol Adult 2022:1-12. [PMID: 35148237 DOI: 10.1080/23279095.2022.2036990] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess whether performance in attention and executive functions evaluated with the Epitrack screening tool before surgery can differentiate memory and quality of life (QOL) profiles, and detect different post-surgical change patterns in these variables in patients with epilepsy. METHODS This is a longitudinal study. Seventy-seven patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (mean age = 37.91) underwent a neuropsychological assessment before and one year after surgery. Epitrack, a screening tool that exclusively evaluates attention and executive functioning, was administered in the pre-surgical assessment, and verbal and visual memory and QOL were assessed before and after surgery. RESULTS Patients with impaired Epitrack performance had poorer verbal and visual memory than those with intact Epitrack performance, regardless of the time point (for all, p < 0.0001). They also showed a post-surgical decline in immediate verbal recall (p = 0.04) and discriminability (p = 0.001). Patients with intact Epitrack performance did not exhibit this decline. Epitrack total score significantly contributed to 13 and 11% of the variance of post-surgical changes in immediate verbal recall and discriminability, respectively. Epitrack groups did not differ in QOL profiles or changes, but post-surgical immediate verbal recall improvements were related to post-surgical QOL improvements. CONCLUSION Our findings underline the utility of Epitrack screening tool to detect different patterns of verbal and visual memory dysfunction, as well as to predict post-surgical verbal memory decline in patients with drug-resistant epilepsy. Patients with lower pre-surgical Epitrack scores appear to be at increased risk for post-surgical memory decline.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Lozano-García
- IDOCAL/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology Center, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
| | - Kevin G Hampel
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Antonio Gutiérrez
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Vicente Villanueva
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | | | - Esperanza González-Bono
- IDOCAL/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology Center, University of Valencia, Valencia, Spain
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Cardenal-Muñoz E, Auvin S, Villanueva V, Cross JH, Zuberi SM, Lagae L, Aibar JÁ. Guidance on Dravet syndrome from infant to adult care: Road map for treatment planning in Europe. Epilepsia Open 2021; 7:11-26. [PMID: 34882995 PMCID: PMC8886070 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Dravet syndrome (DS) is a severe, rare, and complex developmental and epileptic encephalopathy affecting 1 in 16 000 live births and characterized by a drug‐resistant epilepsy, cognitive, psychomotor, and language impairment, and behavioral disorders. Evidence suggests that optimal treatment of seizures in DS may improve outcomes, even though neurodevelopmental impairments are the likely result of both the underlying genetic variant and the epilepsy. We present an updated guideline for DS diagnosis and treatment, taking into consideration care of the adult patient and nonpharmaceutical therapeutic options for this disease. This up‐to‐date guideline, which is based on an extensive review of the literature and culminates with a new treatment algorithm for DS, is a European consensus developed through a survey involving 29 European clinical experts in DS. This guideline will serve professionals in their clinical practice and, as a consequence, will benefit DS patients and their families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena Cardenal-Muñoz
- Dravet Syndrome Foundation Spain, Member of the EpiCARE ePAG Group, Madrid, Spain
| | - Stéphane Auvin
- APHP. Service de Neurologie Pédiatrique, Hôpital Robert Debré, Paris, France.,INSERM NeuroDiderot, Université de Paris, Paris, France.,Institut Universitaire de France (IUF), Paris, France
| | - Vicente Villanueva
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Member of the ERN EpiCARE, Valencia, Spain
| | - J Helen Cross
- Department of Developmental Neurosciences, UCL NIHR BRC Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK.,Department of Neurology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children, Member of the ERN EpiCARE, London, UK
| | - Sameer M Zuberi
- Paediatric Neurosciences Research Group, Royal Hospital for Children, Member of the ERN EpiCARE, Glasgow, UK.,Institute of Health & Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, UK
| | - Lieven Lagae
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, Member of the ERN EpiCARE, Leuven, Belgium
| | - José Ángel Aibar
- Dravet Syndrome Foundation Spain, Member of the EpiCARE ePAG Group, Madrid, Spain
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Lozano‐García A, Hampel KG, Garcés‐Sánchez M, Aparici‐Robles F, Rubio‐Sánchez P, González‐Bono E, Cano‐López I, Villanueva V. Drug load and memory during intracarotid amobarbital procedure in epilepsy. Acta Neurol Scand 2021; 144:585-591. [PMID: 34132388 DOI: 10.1111/ane.13491] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Anti-seizure medications (ASMs) have been related to poor cognitive function, but their relationship with intracarotid amobarbital procedure (IAP) results remains unclear. AIMS OF THE STUDY To elucidate whether the number and drug load of ASMs are associated with memory scores of the IAP and the neuropsychological assessment. METHODS Fifty-nine adult patients with drug-resistant epilepsy (mean age = 36.1, SD = 11.6) underwent bilateral IAP (with drawings and words as memory items) and a neuropsychological assessment to assess the risk of post-surgical memory decline. Total ASM drug load was calculated by summing the daily dose/defined daily dose ratio of every ASM of each patient. Pearson's correlations and hierarchical regressions were computed. RESULTS Total IAP memory score was associated with total ASM drug load (r = -0.30, p = 0.02) and seizure frequency (r = -0.25, p = 0.05). After controlling clinical variables, total ASM drug load explained 16% of the variance of total IAP memory score. This relationship was especially prominent in patients with left hemisphere focus (r = -0.33, p = 0.04). The number of current ASMs was not related to IAP memory score (r = -0.16, p = 0.24). The number or drug load of ASMs were not related to neuropsychological assessment results (for all, p > 0.07). CONCLUSIONS Our findings suggest that total drug load can be a confounding variable in the IAP memory performance that could explain, at least in part, the reverse asymmetries reported in different studies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kevin G. Hampel
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Department of Neurology Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe Valencia Spain
| | - Mercedes Garcés‐Sánchez
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Department of Neurology Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe Valencia Spain
| | - Fernando Aparici‐Robles
- Area of Medical Imaging Department of Radiology Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe Valencia Spain
| | - Pilar Rubio‐Sánchez
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe Valencia Spain
| | | | | | - Vicente Villanueva
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Department of Neurology Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe Valencia Spain
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Cano-López I, Vázquez-Costa JF, Gutiérrez A, Villanueva V, González-Bono E. [Cognitive reserve as a modulating factor in the impact of surgery on visual memory and naming in temporal lobe epilepsy patients]. Rev Neurol 2021; 73:267-274. [PMID: 34617580 DOI: 10.33588/rn.7308.2021109] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) surgery is an effective procedure that produces cognitive changes. Factors modulating such changes have been proposed, but the influence of cognitive reserve remains unclear. OBJECTIVE To examine the effect of intellectual quotient (IQ) on postsurgical changes in verbal fluency, naming, and verbal and visual memory in a sample of patients with TLE. PATIENTS AND METHODS 64 adult patients with drug-resistant TLE (mean age ± SD: 39.16 ± 11.67) underwent a neuropsychological evaluation before and one year after surgery. RESULTS Patients with high IQ showed better immediate visual memory before surgery than those with medium IQ, as well as an absence of postsurgical changes. Patients with high manipulative IQ had better naming before surgery than those with medium manipulative IQ, as well as a significant postsurgical worsening. Both before and after surgery, patients with high IQ showed better phonemic and semantic verbal fluency and short- and long-term verbal memory than those with medium IQ. CONCLUSIONS IQ is a relevant factor in the evolution of immediate visual memory and naming after surgery in patients with TLE. Surgery does not impact on the advantage of high IQ patients in verbal fluency and verbal memory, suggesting that cognitive reserve has a positive effect on cognitive function, even after TLE surgery.
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Affiliation(s)
- I Cano-López
- Universidad Internacional de Valencia, Valencia, España
| | - J F Vázquez-Costa
- Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, España.,Universitat de València, Valencia, España.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Raras (CIBERER), Valencia, España
| | - A Gutiérrez
- Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, España
| | - V Villanueva
- Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, España
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Madan Cohen J, Checketts D, Dunayevich E, Gunning B, Hyslop A, Madhavan D, Villanueva V, Zolnowska M, Zuberi SM. Time to onset of cannabidiol treatment effects in Dravet syndrome: Analysis from two randomized controlled trials. Epilepsia 2021; 62:2218-2227. [PMID: 34265088 PMCID: PMC8456817 DOI: 10.1111/epi.16974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2021] [Revised: 06/08/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We conducted a post hoc analysis of two randomized controlled trials, GWPCARE1 (NCT02091375) and GWPCARE2 (NCT02224703), to estimate the time to onset of cannabidiol (CBD) treatment effects (seizure reduction and adverse events [AEs]) in patients with Dravet syndrome (DS). METHODS Patients received either plant-derived highly purified CBD (Epidiolex in the United States; 100 mg/ml oral solution) 10 mg/kg/day (CBD10; GWPCARE2) or 20 mg/kg/day (CBD20; GWPCARE1&2), or matching placebo for 14 weeks. Treatment started at 2.5 mg/kg/day, reached 10 mg/kg/day on Day 7, and went up to 20 mg/kg/day on Day 11 during the 14-day titration period. Percentage change from baseline in convulsive seizure frequency was calculated by cumulative day (i.e., including all previous days). Time to onset and resolution of AEs were also evaluated. RESULTS Overall, 124 patients received placebo and 194 received CBD (CBD10, n = 64; CBD20, n = 130). Mean age was 9.5 years (range = 2.2-18.9). Patients had discontinued a median of four antiepileptic drugs (range = 0-26) and were currently taking a median of three (range = 1-5). Differences in convulsive seizure reduction between placebo and CBD emerged during titration and became nominally significant by Day 12 for CBD20 (p = .02) and Day 13 for CBD10 (p = .03). Additionally, differences in the 50% responder rate between placebo and CBD became apparent during titration. Onset of the first reported AE occurred during the titration period in 48.4% of placebo patients and 54.1% of CBD patients. The three most common AEs of somnolence, decreased appetite, and diarrhea resolved within 4 weeks of onset in the majority of CBD-treated patients (56.3%-72.9%). SIGNIFICANCE The therapeutic effect of CBD in DS may start within 2 weeks of treatment in some patients. Although AEs lasted longer for CBD than placebo, most resolved within the 14-week study period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer Madan Cohen
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Neurology at Connecticut Children’sUniversity of ConnecticutHartfordConnecticutUSA
| | | | | | | | - Ann Hyslop
- Nicklaus Children’s HospitalMiamiFloridaUSA
| | | | | | | | - Sameer M. Zuberi
- Paediatric Neurosciences Research GroupRoyal Hospital for Children & College of Medical, Veterinary, and Life SciencesUniversity of GlasgowGlasgowUK
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Cardenal-Muñoz E, Nabbout R, Boronat S, Lara-Herguedas J, Villanueva V, Aibar JA. Impact of COVID-19 on Spanish patients with Dravet syndrome and their caregivers: consequences of lockdown. Rev Neurol 2021; 73:57-65. [PMID: 34254661 DOI: 10.33588/rn.7302.2021006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION The COVID-19 pandemic caused a state of alarm in Spain in March 2020. The necessary approach to the care of patients with Dravet syndrome (DS) makes them and their caregivers a vulnerable group in emergency situations. OBJECTIVES To explore the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the management and condition of Spanish patients with DS and their caregivers and families. MATERIALS AND METHODS Analysis of data belonging to Spanish families taken from a European online survey (14 April-17 May 2020). It included data on DS patients, on the disease and on caregivers before and after lockdown during the state of alarm. RESULTS Sixty-nine Spanish families participated; average age of patients: 12.6 years. Except in 19% of the cases that were isolated, protective/isolation measures for patients were followed without increasing. Epilepsy remained stable, with no medication or resource/personnel availability issues. Sleep-wake pattern (61%) and behavior (41%) of patients changed. Behavior change was associated with seizures during lockdown and with caregiver emotional state (changes in 76%). Psychological support was offered to only 9% of caregivers. Thirty-eight per cent of patients did not receive remote care. CONCLUSIONS The experience gathered during the lockdown has allowed the detection of points of improvement to ensure the proper management of DS and to keep the situation of patients and caregivers stable. All of this with a prominent role of telemedicine.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - R Nabbout
- Necker Enfants. Institut Imagine. Université de Paris, París, Francia
| | - S Boronat
- Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant pau, Barcelona, España
| | - J Lara-Herguedas
- Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro-Majadahonda, 28035 Majadahonda, España
| | - V Villanueva
- Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, España
| | - J A Aibar
- Fundación Síndrome de Dravet, Madrid, España
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Waltereit R, Beaure d'Augères G, Jancic J, Kingswood JC, Koleva M, Marques R, Villanueva V, Auvin S. Involvement of mental health professionals in the treatment of tuberous sclerosis complex-associated neuropsychiatric disorders (TAND): results of a multinational European electronic survey. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2021; 16:216. [PMID: 33980296 PMCID: PMC8117562 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-021-01800-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2020] [Accepted: 03/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC) is a rare, genetic, multisystem disorder characterized by the growth of hamartomas in several organs, including the brain, kidneys, heart, eyes, and lungs. Even though over 90% of patients will have some form of TSC-associated neuropsychiatric disorder (TAND), there is an apparent lack of involvement of mental health professionals (MHPs) in the care of patients with TSC. The aim of this study was to determine the current level of TAND awareness in the TSC community and to identify possible barriers to effective multidisciplinary collaboration between MHPs and other healthcare providers (HCPs) in TAND management. METHODS An electronic survey on current TSC and TAND management was conducted, targeting TSC caregivers/families, psychiatrists, neurologists, TSC specialists, and primary care physicians. RESULTS The invitation to participate in the survey was emailed to 659 HCPs and was disseminated through social media channels of patient advocacy groups. The survey was open for 4 months, with 359 responses collected. The majority of participants were TSC caregivers/families (73.3% of all responses). Of the 96 HCPs who participated, most were neurologists (61.5%) or TSC specialists (28.1%). Only 6 psychiatrists and 4 primary care physicians participated. Approximately half of patients have never had a neuropsychiatric assessment, and it was their caregivers/families who initiated the discussion of TAND with their providers. Almost 70% of TSC caregivers/families believed that psychiatric treatment could improve their quality of life. However, 54% of patients had difficulty obtaining psychiatric assessment. In turn, only 21% of HCPs believed that psychiatric therapy would help and 74% were concerned that their patients would be stigmatized by psychiatric referral. CONCLUSIONS This study focused on European healthcare systems suggests that current care for mental health issues in patients with TSC is inadequate, despite guideline recommendations for regular neuropsychiatric assessments. This appears to be due to a combination of gaps in diagnosis and surveillance, low frequency of psychiatric referrals, insufficient resources, and stigmatization of mental healthcare. There is a pressing need for further initiatives to study and address the mechanisms underlying the mental health treatment gap. The importance of MHP support must be recognized to optimize TSC management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert Waltereit
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University Medical Center Göttingen, Von-Siebold-Str. 5, 37075, Göttingen, Germany.
| | | | - Jasna Jancic
- Clinic of Neurology and Psychiatry for Children and Youth, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | | | - Maya Koleva
- University Multiprofile Hospital for Active Treatment in Neurology and Psychiatry "St. Naum", Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Ruben Marques
- Novartis Farma S.P.A, Origgio, Italy
- Institute of Biomedicine (IBIOMED), University of Leon, León, Spain
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Sales F, Delanty N, Mecarelli O, Holtkamp M, McMurray R, Loureiro R, Fernandes H, Villanueva V. Predictors of seizure freedom, response and retention after 12 months of treatment with eslicarbazepine acetate: A post-hoc analysis of the Euro-Esli study. Epilepsy Res 2021; 174:106653. [PMID: 34049227 DOI: 10.1016/j.eplepsyres.2021.106653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/02/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
Eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) is a once-daily antiseizure medication (ASM) that is approved in Europe and the USA for the treatment of focal-onset seizures. The Euro-Esli study, which included over 2000 patients, investigated the real-world effectiveness, safety and tolerability of ESL when used in everyday clinical practice in Europe. This post-hoc analysis of Euro-Esli employed univariate and multivariate binary logistic regression analyses to investigate the relationship between demographic and baseline characteristics (including epilepsy- and treatment-related factors) and the likelihood of seizure freedom, response and retention in adult patients with focal seizures after 12 months of ESL treatment in the real-world setting. Multivariate analysis revealed that the factors associated with seizure freedom and response at 12 months (N = 1054) were generally those characterising patients who were relatively early in their disease course and/or less refractory to treatment, such as older age at onset of epilepsy, absence of seizures at baseline and lower number of concomitant ASMs at baseline. Although it was not possible to construct a multivariate model to predict retention on ESL treatment at 12 months, when the univariate regression model was adjusted for age and epilepsy duration, the factors found to be significantly associated with retention at 12 months (N = 1559) comprised shorter duration of epilepsy, absence of any seizures at baseline, lower baseline seizure frequency (<5 vs. ≥ 5 seizures/month), lower number of previous ASMs, lower number of concomitant ASMs, and the absence of concomitant use of lamotrigine at baseline. These findings therefore identify baseline characteristics that are predictive of the effectiveness of ESL treatment in clinical practice, which may help clinicians choose appropriate ASM therapy for patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Sales
- Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Norman Delanty
- Beaumont Hospital and School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, FutureNeuro Research Centre, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Dublin, Ireland.
| | - Oriano Mecarelli
- Sapienza University, Policlinico Umberto I Hospital, Rome, Italy.
| | - Martin Holtkamp
- Epilepsy‑Center Berlin‑Brandenburg, Department of Neurology, Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany.
| | | | - Rui Loureiro
- Bial - Portela & Cª, S.A., Coronado (S. Romão e S. Mamede), Portugal.
| | - Hélder Fernandes
- Bial - Portela & Cª, S.A., Coronado (S. Romão e S. Mamede), Portugal.
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Steinhoff BJ, Klein P, Klitgaard H, Laloyaux C, Moseley BD, Ricchetti-Masterson K, Rosenow F, Sirven JI, Smith B, Stern JM, Toledo M, Zipfel PA, Villanueva V. Behavioral adverse events with brivaracetam, levetiracetam, perampanel, and topiramate: A systematic review. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 118:107939. [PMID: 33839453 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.107939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2021] [Accepted: 03/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To understand the currently available post-marketing real-world evidence of the incidences of and discontinuations due to the BAEs of irritability, anger, and aggression in people with epilepsy (PWE) treated with the anti-seizure medications (ASMs) brivaracetam (BRV), levetiracetam (LEV), perampanel (PER), and topiramate (TPM), as well as behavioral adverse events (BAEs) in PWE switching from LEV to BRV. METHODS A systematic review of published literature using the Cochrane Library, PubMed/MEDLINE, and Embase was performed to identify retrospective and prospective observational studies reporting the incidence of irritability, anger, or aggression with BRV, LEV, PER, or TPM in PWE. The incidences of these BAEs and the rates of discontinuation due to each were categorized by ASM, and where possible, weighted means were calculated but not statistically assessed. Behavioral and psychiatric adverse events in PWE switching from LEV to BRV were summarized descriptively. RESULTS A total of 1500 records were identified in the searches. Of these, 44 published articles reporting 42 studies met the study criteria and were included in the data synthesis, 7 studies were identified in the clinical trial database, and 5 studies included PWE switching from LEV to BRV. Studies included a variety of methods, study populations, and definitions of BAEs. While a wide range of results was reported across studies, weighted mean incidences were 5.6% for BRV, 9.9% for LEV, 12.3% for PER, and 3.1% for TPM for irritability; 3.3%* for BRV, 2.5% for LEV, 2.0% for PER, and 0.2%* for TPM for anger; and 2.5% for BRV, 2.6% for LEV, 4.4% for PER, and 0.5%* for TPM for aggression. Weighted mean discontinuation rates were 0.8%* for BRV, 3.4% for LEV, 3.0% for PER, and 2.2% for TPM for irritability and 0.8%* for BRV, 2.4% for LEV, 9.2% for PER, and 1.2%* for TPM for aggression. There were no discontinuations for anger. Switching from LEV to BRV led to improvement in BAEs in 33.3% to 83.0% of patients (weighted mean, 66.6%). *Denotes only 1 study. CONCLUSIONS This systematic review characterizes the incidences of irritability, anger, and aggression with BRV, LEV, PER, and TPM, and it provides robust real-world evidence demonstrating that switching from LEV to BRV may improve BAEs. While additional data remain valuable due to differences in methodology (which make comparisons difficult), these results improve understanding of the real-world incidences of discontinuations due to these BAEs in clinical practice and can aid in discussions and treatment decision-making with PWE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bernhard J Steinhoff
- Epilepsiezentrum Kork, Landstraße 1, 77694 Kehl, Kehl-Kork; Albert-Ludwigs University of Freiburg, Department of Neurology and Clinical Neurophysiology, Freiburg, Germany.
| | - Pavel Klein
- Mid-Atlantic Epilepsy and Sleep Center, 6410 Rockledge Drive, #610, Bethesda, MD 20817, USA.
| | - Henrik Klitgaard
- UCB Pharma, Allee de la Recherche 60, 1070 Anderlecht, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Cédric Laloyaux
- UCB Pharma, Allee de la Recherche 60, 1070 Anderlecht, Brussels, Belgium.
| | - Brian D Moseley
- University of Cincinnati, Department of Neurology and Rehabilitation Medicine, Stetson Building, 260 Stetson Street, Suite 2300, Cincinnati, OH 45267-0525, USA
| | | | - Felix Rosenow
- Epilepsy Center Frankfurt Rhine-Main, Center of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Goethe-University Frankfurt, Schleusenweg 2-12, Haus 95, Frankfurt a.M., 60528, Germany.
| | - Joseph I Sirven
- Mayo Clinic, Neurology and Neurosurgery, 4500 San Pablo Rd, Jacksonville, FL 32224, USA.
| | - Brien Smith
- OhioHealth Physician Group, 3430 OhioHealth Pkwy, 4th Floor North, Columbus, OH 43202, USA.
| | - John M Stern
- University of California, Department of Neurology, 300 Medical Plaza Driveway, Suite B200, Los Angeles, CA 90095, USA.
| | - Manuel Toledo
- Epilepsy Unit. Neurology Department, Hospital Vall d'Hebron, Servicio de Neurologia, Passeig de la Vall d'Hebron 119, Barcelona, 08035, Spain.
| | - Patricia A Zipfel
- MicroMass, an Ashfield Company, 100 Regency Forest Dr, Cary, NC, USA.
| | - Vicente Villanueva
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Hospital Universitario y Politecnico La Fe, Avenida Fernando Abril Martorell 106, Valencia 46026, Spain
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Privitera M, Bhathal H, Wong M, Cross JH, Wirrell E, Marsh ED, Mazurkiewicz‐Beldzinska M, Villanueva V, Checketts D, Knappertz V, VanLandingham K. Time to onset of cannabidiol (CBD) treatment effect in Lennox-Gastaut syndrome: Analysis from two randomized controlled trials. Epilepsia 2021; 62:1130-1140. [PMID: 33797076 PMCID: PMC8252057 DOI: 10.1111/epi.16878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/03/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To estimate time to onset of cannabidiol (CBD) treatment effect (seizure reduction and adverse events [AEs]), we conducted post hoc analyses of data from two randomized, placebo-controlled, Phase 3 trials, GWPCARE3 (NCT02224560) and GWPCARE4 (NCT02224690), of patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. METHODS Patients received plant-derived pharmaceutical formulation of highly purified CBD (Epidiolex, 100 mg/ml oral solution) at 10 mg/kg/day (CBD10; GWPCARE3) or 20 mg/kg/day (CBD20; both trials) or placebo for 14 weeks. Treatment started at 2.5 mg/kg/day for all groups and reached 10 mg/kg/day on Day 7 and 20 mg/kg/day (CBD20 and matching placebo only) on Day 11. Percentage change from baseline in drop seizure frequency was calculated by cumulative day (i.e., including all previous days). Time to onset and resolution of AEs were evaluated. RESULTS Overall, 235 patients received CBD (CBD10 [GWPCARE3 only], n = 67; CBD20 [pooled GWPCARE3&4], n = 168) and 161 received placebo. Mean (range) age was 15.3 years (2.6-48.0). Patients had previously discontinued a median (range) of six (0-28) antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and were currently taking a median of three (0-5) AEDs. Differences in drop seizure reduction between placebo and CBD emerged during the titration period and became nominally significant by Day 6 (p = .008) for pooled CBD treatment groups. Separation between placebo and CBD in ≥50% responder rate emerged by Day 6. Onset of the first reported AE occurred during the titration period in 45% of patients (CBD10, 46%; CBD20, 52%; placebo, 38%). In patients with AEs, resolution occurred within 4 weeks of onset in 53% of placebo and 39% of CBD patients and by end of study in 63% of placebo and 61% of CBD patients. SIGNIFICANCE Treatment effect (efficacy and AEs) of CBD may occur within 1 week of starting treatment. Although AEs lasted longer for CBD than placebo, most resolved within the 14-week period.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Hari Bhathal
- Neurocenter BarcelonaTeknon Medical CenterBarcelonaSpain
| | - Matthew Wong
- Wake Forest Baptist Medical CenterWinston‐SalemNCUSA
| | - J. Helen Cross
- University College London National Institute for Health Research Biomedical Research Center Great Ormond Street Institute of Child HealthLondonUK
| | | | - Eric D. Marsh
- Children's Hospital of PhiladelphiaPhiladelphiaPAUSA
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Asadi-Pooya AA, Brigo F, Lattanzi S, Karakis I, Asadollahi M, Trinka E, Talaat El Ghoneimy L, Pretorius C, Contreras G, Daza-Restrepo A, Valente K, D'Alessio L, Turuspekova ST, Aljandeel G, Khachatryan S, Ashkanani A, Tomson T, Kutlubaev M, Guekht A, Alsaadi T, Calle-Lopez Y, Mesraoua B, Ríos-Pohl L, Al-Asmi A, Villanueva V, Igwe SC, Kissani N, Jusupova A. Complementary and alternative medicine in epilepsy: A global survey of physicians' opinions. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 117:107835. [PMID: 33611098 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2021.107835] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 12/25/2020] [Accepted: 01/30/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To investigate the opinions of physicians on the use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) in patients with epilepsy (PWE) worldwide. METHODS Online survey addressed to neurologists and psychiatrists from different countries. RESULTS Totally, 1112 physicians from 25 countries (different world region: Europe, North America, South America, Middle-East, Africa, Former Soviet Union Republics) participated; 804 (72.3%) believed that CAM might be helpful in PWE. The most commonly endorsed CAM included meditation (41%) and yoga (39%). Female sex, psychiatry specialization, and working in North and South America were associated with the belief that CAM is helpful in PWE. Two-hundred and forty five out of 1098 participants (22.3%) used/prescribed CAM to PWE; among them, 174 (71%) people perceived CAM to be less effective and 114 (46.5%) people found CAM to be safer than conventional antiseizure medications (ASMs). The most common reasons to prescribe CAM for PWE were: to satisfy the patient (49.9%), dissatisfaction with the efficacy (35.6%), and dissatisfaction with the adverse effects (31.2%) of conventional therapies. CONCLUSION Although the evidence supporting the use of CAM for the treatment of epilepsy is extremely sparse, most physicians worldwide believe that it could be integrated with the use of conventional ASMs, at least in some patients. High-quality controlled trials are warranted to provide robust evidence on the usefulness of CAM options in PWE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali A Asadi-Pooya
- Epilepsy Research Center, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Jefferson Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
| | - Francesco Brigo
- Department of Neurology, Hospital of Merano (SABES-ASDAA), Merano-Meran, Italy
| | - Simona Lattanzi
- Neurological Clinic, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy
| | - Ioannis Karakis
- Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, GA, USA
| | | | - Eugen Trinka
- Department of Neurology, Christian-Doppler Medical Centre, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; Institute of Nursing Science and Practice, Paracelsus Medical University, 5020 Salzburg, Austria; Centre for Cognitive Neuroscience, 5020 Salzburg, Austria, Associated Member of the European Reference Network EpiCARE
| | | | - Chrisma Pretorius
- Department of Psychology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Guilca Contreras
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, Hospital Metropolitano, Quito, Ecuador
| | | | - Kette Valente
- Laboratory of Clinical Neurophysiology, Deparment of Psychiatry, Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade de São Paulo (HCFMUSP), São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Luciana D'Alessio
- Buenos Aires University, Epilepsy Center, Ramos Mejía and El Cruce Hospitals, IBCN-CONICET, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Saule T Turuspekova
- Department of Nervous Diseases with a Course of Neurosurgery, Asfendiyarov Kazakh National Medical University, Almaty, Kazakhstan
| | - Ghaieb Aljandeel
- Iraqi Council for Medical Specializations, Faculty of Epileptology, Medical City, Baghdad, Iraq
| | - Samson Khachatryan
- Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, National Institute of Health, Yerevan, Armenia
| | | | - Torbjörn Tomson
- Department of Clinical Nueroscience, Karolinska institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Mansur Kutlubaev
- Department of Neurology, Bashkir State Medical University, Ufa, Russia
| | - Alla Guekht
- Moscow Research and Clinical Center for Neurospychiatry; Department of Neurology, Nerosurgery and Medical Genetics, Pirogov Russian National Research Medical University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Taoufik Alsaadi
- Deptartment of Neurology, American Center for Psychiatry and Neurology, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
| | - Yamile Calle-Lopez
- Neurology Section, University of Antioquia, Fundación Clínica del Norte-Neuroclínica, Medellín, Colombia
| | - Boulenouar Mesraoua
- Neurosciences Department, Hamad Medical Corporation and Weill Cornell Medical College, Doha, Qatar
| | | | - Abdullah Al-Asmi
- Neurology Unit, Department of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sceinces, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
| | - Vicente Villanueva
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Stanley C Igwe
- Department of NeuroPsychiatry, Alex Ekwueme Federal University Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki, Nigeria
| | - Najib Kissani
- Laboratory of Clinical and Experimental Neuroscience, Faculty of Medicine, Cadi Ayyad University, Marrakech, Morocco; Department of Neurology, Teaching Hospital Mohammed VI, Marrakesh, Morocco
| | - Asel Jusupova
- Kyrgyz State Medical Academy, Neurology and Clinical Genetics Department, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan
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Baumgartner T, Carreño M, Rocamora R, Bisulli F, Boni A, Brázdil M, Horak O, Craiu D, Pereira C, Guerrini R, San Antonio‐Arce V, Schulze‐Bonhage A, Zuberi SM, Hallböök T, Kalviainen R, Lagae L, Nguyen S, Quintas S, Franco A, Cross JH, Walker M, Arzimanoglou A, Rheims S, Granata T, Canafoglia L, Johannessen Landmark C, Sen A, Rattihalli R, Nabbout R, Tartara E, Santos M, Rangel R, Krsek P, Marusic P, Specchio N, Braun KPJ, Smeyers P, Villanueva V, Kotulska K, Surges R. A survey of the European Reference Network EpiCARE on clinical practice for selected rare epilepsies. Epilepsia Open 2021; 6:160-170. [PMID: 33681659 PMCID: PMC7918306 DOI: 10.1002/epi4.12459] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/09/2020] [Revised: 11/26/2020] [Accepted: 12/09/2020] [Indexed: 11/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Clinical care of rare and complex epilepsies is challenging, because evidence-based treatment guidelines are scarce, the experience of many physicians is limited, and interdisciplinary treatment of comorbidities is required. The pathomechanisms of rare epilepsies are, however, increasingly understood, which potentially fosters novel targeted therapies. The objectives of our survey were to obtain an overview of the clinical practice in European tertiary epilepsy centers treating patients with 5 arbitrarily selected rare epilepsies and to get an estimate of potentially available patients for future studies. Methods Members of the European Reference Network for rare and complex epilepsies (EpiCARE) were invited to participate in a web-based survey on clinical practice of patients with Dravet syndrome, tuberous sclerosis complex (TSC), autoimmune encephalitis, and progressive myoclonic epilepsies including Unverricht Lundborg and Unverricht-like diseases. A consensus-based questionnaire was generated for each disease. Results Twenty-six of 30 invited epilepsy centers participated. Cohorts were present in most responding centers for TSC (87%), Dravet syndrome (85%), and autoimmune encephalitis (71%). Patients with TSC and Dravet syndrome represented the largest cohorts in these centers. The antiseizure drug treatments were rather consistent across the centers especially with regard to Dravet syndrome, infantile spasms in TSC, and Unverricht Lundborg / Unverricht-like disease. Available, widely used targeted therapies included everolimus in TSC and immunosuppressive therapies in autoimmune encephalitis. Screening for comorbidities was routinely done, but specific treatment protocols were lacking in most centers. Significance The survey summarizes the current clinical practice for selected rare epilepsies in tertiary European epilepsy centers and demonstrates consistency as well as heterogeneity in the treatment, underscoring the need for controlled trials and recommendations. The survey also provides estimates for potential participants of clinical trials recruited via EpiCARE, emphasizing the great potential of Reference Networks for future studies to evaluate new targeted therapies and to identify novel biomarkers.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Mar Carreño
- Epilepsy UnitChild Neurology DepartmentHospital San Juan de DiosBarcelonaSpain
- Hospital Clinic de BarcelonaBarcelonaSpain
| | - Rodrigo Rocamora
- Epilepsy CentreFaculty of Health and Life SciencesHospital del Mar‐IMIMUniversitat Pompeu FabraBarcelonaSpain
| | | | - Antonella Boni
- IRCCS Istituto delle Scienze Neurologiche di BolognaBolognaItaly
| | - Milan Brázdil
- Brno Epilepsy CenterDepartment of NeurologySt. Anne´s University HospitalMedical Faculty of Masaryk UniversityBrnoCzech Republic
| | - Ondrej Horak
- Brno Epilepsy CenterDepartment of Child NeurologyBrno University HospitalMedical Faculty of Masaryk UniversityBrnoCzech Republic
| | - Dana Craiu
- Alexandru Obregia Clinical HospitalBucharestRomania
| | | | - Renzo Guerrini
- Children's Hospital A. Meyer‐University of FlorenceFlorenceItaly
| | - Victoria San Antonio‐Arce
- Epilepsy UnitChild Neurology DepartmentHospital San Juan de DiosBarcelonaSpain
- Epilepsy CenterFaculty of MedicineUniversity Medical CenterFreiburgGermany
| | | | | | - Tove Hallböök
- Department of PediatricsInstitute of Clinical SciencesSahlgrenska AcademyUniversity of Gothenburg and Queen Silvia Children’s HospitalSahlgrenska University HospitalGothenburgSweden
| | - Reetta Kalviainen
- Pohjois‐Savon SairaanhoitopiiriKuopio University Hospital, (KUH)KuopioFinland
| | - Lieven Lagae
- University Hospital Gasthuisberg KULeuvenBelgium
| | | | - Sofia Quintas
- Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte ‐ Hospital de Santa MariaLisboaPortugal
| | - Ana Franco
- Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte ‐ Hospital de Santa MariaLisboaPortugal
| | - J. Helen Cross
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for ChildrenNHS TrustLondonUK
| | - Matthew Walker
- University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation TrustLondonUK
| | - Alexis Arzimanoglou
- Epilepsy UnitChild Neurology DepartmentHospital San Juan de DiosBarcelonaSpain
- Department of Paediatric Clinical Epileptology, Sleep Disorders and Functional NeurologyUniversity Hospitals of Lyon (HCL)LyonFrance
| | - Sylvain Rheims
- Department of Functional Neurology and EpileptologyHospices Civils de LyonUniversity of LyonLyonFrance
| | - Tiziana Granata
- Department of PediatricNeuroscience FondazioneIRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo BestaMilanItaly
| | - Laura Canafoglia
- Epilepsy UnitFondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo BestaMilanItaly
| | - Cecilie Johannessen Landmark
- Department of PharmacologyOslo University HospitalThe National Center for EpilepsyOslo Metropolitan UniversityOsloNorway
| | - Arjune Sen
- Oxford Epilepsy Research GroupNIHR Oxford Biomedical Research CentreNuffield Department of Clinical NeurosciencesJohn Radcliffe HospitalOxfordUK
| | - Rohini Rattihalli
- Department of Paediatric NeurologyChildren's HospitalJohn Radcliffe HospitalOxfordUK
| | - Rima Nabbout
- Department of Pediatric NeurologyAPHP, Imagine InstituteReference Centre for Rare EpilepsiesParis Descartes UniversityParisFrance
| | | | | | - Rui Rangel
- Centro Hospitalar Universitário do PortoPortoPortugal
| | - Pavel Krsek
- Departement of NeurologyCharles UniversitySecond Faculty of Medicine and Motol University HospitalPragueCzech Republic
| | - Petr Marusic
- Departement of NeurologyCharles UniversitySecond Faculty of Medicine and Motol University HospitalPragueCzech Republic
| | - Nicola Specchio
- Rare and Complex Epilepsy UnitDepartment of NeuroscienceBambino Gesu’ Children’s Hospital, IRCCSRomeItaly
| | - Kees P. J. Braun
- Department of Child NeurologyUniversity Medical Center UtrechtUtrechtThe Netherlands
| | - Patricia Smeyers
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit of Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La FeValenciaSpain
| | - Vicente Villanueva
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit of Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La FeValenciaSpain
| | | | - Rainer Surges
- Department of EpileptologyUniversity Hospital BonnBonnGermany
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Lozano-García A, Hampel KG, Villanueva V, González-Bono E, Cano-López I. The number of anti-seizure medications mediates the relationship between cognitive performance and quality of life in temporal lobe epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 115:107699. [PMID: 33412368 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107699] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To assess whether cognitive performance predicts quality of life (QOL) in patients with drug-resistant temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), using the Epitrack cognitive screening tool, while considering the mediating role of the number of anti-seizure medications (ASMs) and controlling for seizure-related, social, and emotional factors. METHODS Seventy-five adult patients with drug-resistant TLE (mean age = 39.76 years, SD = 11.66) underwent a presurgical neuropsychological assessment. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES Cognitive performance (Epitrack), depression (BDI-II), trait anxiety (STAI); and QOL (QOLIE-31) were assessed. RESULTS Adjusting for seizure-related, social, and emotional factors, the Epitrack total score significantly contributed to QOL composite score, and energy and cognitive self-rating subscales. We found a significant indirect effect of the Epitrack total score on QOL composite score and seizure worry and social functioning subscales via the number of ASMs. CONCLUSION Our findings underline the relevance of cognitive functioning on QOL and the clinical utility of Epitrack to track cognitive side effects of ASMs and, consequently, to predict and manage QOL in this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro Lozano-García
- IDOCAL/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology Center, University of Valencia, Avda. Blasco Ibañez, 21, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Kevin G Hampel
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Bulevar sur, s/n Carretera de Malilla, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Vicente Villanueva
- Refractory Epilepsy Unit, Neurology Service, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Bulevar sur, s/n Carretera de Malilla, 46026 Valencia, Spain
| | - Esperanza González-Bono
- IDOCAL/Department of Psychobiology, Psychology Center, University of Valencia, Avda. Blasco Ibañez, 21, 46010 Valencia, Spain
| | - Irene Cano-López
- Valencian International University, C/Pintor Sorolla, 21, 46002 Valencia, Spain.
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Villanueva V, Sánchez-Álvarez JC, Carreño M, Salas-Puig J, Caballero-Martínez F, Gil-Nagel A. Initiating antiepilepsy treatment: An update of expert consensus in Spain. Epilepsy Behav 2021; 114:107540. [PMID: 33243687 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2020.107540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2020] [Revised: 10/09/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Following publication in 2014 of the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) official report changing the definition of epilepsy, a number of questions remain unresolved in regard to deciding when to start treatment and to the choice of a particular antiseizure medication (ASM). This study uses a Delphi method to update consensus among a panel of experts on the initiation of epilepsy treatment in order to provide insight regarding those questions. The study was undertaken in four phases. Firstly, a multi-center steering committee met to review relevant bibliography and to draft a questionnaire. Secondly, a panel of neurologists specialized in epilepsy was selected and convened. Thirdly, an online survey was carried out in two rounds. Fourthly, the final results were discussed at a face-to-face meeting of the steering committee to draw conclusions. The final questionnaire focused on three independent sections: the decision to commence ASM in different clinical situations, the choice of initial monotherapy depending on the type of epilepsy and the patient's age/sex (including childbearing potential), and the choice of initial monotherapy depending on comorbidity. In these two latter sections, fourteen ASMs approved for monotherapy use by the EMA and available in Spain were considered. Regarding the decision as to when to commence treatment, the results show agreement exists to initiate treatment following a first generalized tonic-clonic seizure or a focal seizure if the electroencephalography (EEG) reveals epileptiform activity, if the MRI reveals a lesion, or when it occurs in elderly patients. With respect to the choice of initial monotherapy depending on the type of epilepsy and the patient's age/sex profile, it is agreed to avoid valproic acid (VPA) in women with childbearing potential, with levetiracetam (LEV) and lamotrigine (LTG) being the preferable options in generalized epilepsy. In focal epilepsy, the options are broader, particularly in men, and include the most recent ASMs approved for monotherapy. In the elderly, LEV, lacosamide (LCM), eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) and LTG are considered the most suitable drugs for initiating treatment. With regard to comorbidities, the recommendation is to avoid enzyme inducing ASMs, with LEV, the most recent ASMs approved for monotherapy and LTG being the preferred options. In conclusion, as the ILAE definition states, there are different situations that lead to treatment initiation after a first seizure. When choosing the first ASM, the type of epilepsy, childbearing potential and drug-drug interaction are key factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vicente Villanueva
- Unidad Epilepsia Refractaria, Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain.
| | | | - Mar Carreño
- Unidad de Epilepsia, Hospital Clínic, Barcelona, Spain
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Villanueva V, Carreño-Martínez M, Gil Nagel-Rein A, López-González FJ. New therapeutic approach in Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome with cannabidiol. Rev Neurol 2021; 72:S1-S10. [PMID: 33908026 DOI: 10.33588/rn.72s01.2021017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Dravet syndrome (DS) and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS) are two serious epileptic syndromes with paediatric onset which are refractory to therapy and are associated with an important increase in mortality rates and comorbidities compared to the general population. These pathologies have a strong impact on the lives of patients and their families, because they undergo multiple pharmacological therapies (many of them without specific indication), with frequent changes due to poor efficacy and associated adverse effects. The specialists who care for these patients highlight unmet needs and the lack of specific, safe and effective treatments for better management of the syndrome. DEVELOPMENT A group of four neurologists specializing in epilepsy has met to review the scientific literature and evaluate the efficacy and safety of oral solution cannabidiol in the treatment of these syndromes, both in randomized clinical trials (CT) and in some observational studies. CONCLUSIONS Cannabidiol is positioned as an innovative therapy that allows better control of epileptic seizures and comorbidities of DS and LGS, furthermore its efficacy and safety have been evaluated in more than 700 patients. In CTs, cannabidiol significantly reduced the percentage of convulsive seizures and drop seizures compared to placebo in patients with DS and LGS respectively, which could improve their quality of life and that of their family members. The most frequent adverse effects reported were somnolence and decreased appetite. Elevated liver aminotransferase levels were also reported, especially in patients given concomitant sodium valproate. This therapy may allow better control of the epileptic seizures associated with these syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Villanueva
- Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, España
| | | | | | - F J López-González
- Hospital Universitario de Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, España
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Sales F, Chaves J, McMurray R, Loureiro R, Fernandes H, Villanueva V. Eslicarbazepine acetate in post-stroke epilepsy: Clinical practice evidence from Euro-Esli. Acta Neurol Scand 2020; 142:563-573. [PMID: 32691850 PMCID: PMC7754143 DOI: 10.1111/ane.13323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2020] [Revised: 07/13/2020] [Accepted: 07/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Objectives To assess the effectiveness and safety/tolerability of eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) in patients included in the Euro‐Esli study who had focal seizures associated with post‐stroke epilepsy (PSE). Materials and Methods Euro‐Esli was a pooled analysis of 14 European clinical practice studies. Effectiveness assessments (evaluated after 3, 6 and 12 months of ESL treatment and at final follow‐up [“last visit”]) included rates of response (≥50% seizure frequency reduction), seizure freedom (no seizures since at least the prior visit) and retention. Safety/tolerability was assessed throughout ESL treatment by evaluating adverse events (AEs) and discontinuation due to AEs. A post hoc analysis was conducted of patients with PSE versus patients without PSE (“non‐PSE”). Results Of 1656 patients included in the analysis, 76 (4.6%) had PSE and 1580 (95.4%) had non‐PSE. Compared with non‐PSE patients, PSE patients were significantly older, had significantly shorter epilepsy duration, significantly lower total baseline seizure frequency, and were treated with significantly fewer prior and concomitant antiepileptic drugs (P < .001 for all). At the last visit, the responder rate was significantly higher in PSE versus non‐PSE patients (72.9% vs 60.6%; P = .040), as was the seizure freedom rate (48.6% vs 31.7%; P = .003). After 12 months, retention was significantly higher in PSE versus non‐PSE patients (87.8% vs 77.4%; P = .035). The incidence of AEs was similar for PSE versus non‐PSE patients (36.0% vs 35.8%; P = .966). Conclusions These findings suggest that ESL may be an effective and well‐tolerated treatment option for patients with focal seizures due to PSE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisco Sales
- Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra Coimbra Portugal
| | - João Chaves
- Department of Neurology Hospital Santo AntónioCentro Hospitalar Porto Porto Portugal
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Piña-Garza JE, Rosenfeld W, Saeki K, Villanueva V, Yoshinaga H, Patten A, Williams B, Malhotra M. Efficacy and safety of adjunctive perampanel in adolescent patients with epilepsy: Post hoc analysis of six randomized studies. Epilepsy Behav 2020; 104:106876. [PMID: 31954998 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.106876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2019] [Revised: 12/16/2019] [Accepted: 12/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE This post hoc analysis of six randomized, double-blind, Phase II and III studies evaluated efficacy and safety of adjunctive perampanel (2-12 mg/day) in adolescent patients (aged ≥12 to ≤17 years) with uncontrolled partial-onset seizures, with or without secondarily generalized (SG) seizures, or primary generalized tonic-clonic (PGTC) seizures. METHODS Adolescent patients from Studies 304 (NCT00699972), 305 (NCT00699582), 306 (NCT00700310), 335 (NCT01618695), 235 (NCT01161524), and 332 (NCT01393743) were included. Efficacy assessments (split by seizure type) included median percent change in seizure frequency per 28 days from baseline and seizure-freedom rates. Safety assessments (all seizure types combined) included monitoring of treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs). RESULTS The Safety Analysis Set included 372 adolescent patients (placebo, n = 114; perampanel, n = 258); the Full Analysis Set included 346 patients with partial-onset seizures (placebo, n = 103; perampanel, n = 243), of whom 125 experienced SG seizures during baseline (placebo, n = 37; perampanel, n = 88), and 22 with PGTC seizures (placebo, n = 9; perampanel, n = 13). Compared with placebo, perampanel 8 and 12 mg/day conferred greater median percent reductions in seizure frequency per 28 days for partial-onset seizures (18.0% vs 35.9% and 53.8% [both P < 0.01]) and SG seizures (24.4% vs 72.8% [P < 0.001] and 57.8% [P < 0.01]), and greater seizure-freedom rates (partial-onset: 7.8% vs 13.2% and 11.8% [not statistically significant]; SG: 8.1% vs 40.7% [P < 0.001] and 41.7% [P < 0.01]). For PGTC seizures, and compared with placebo, perampanel 8 mg/day was also associated with greater median percent reductions in seizure frequency per 28 days (29.8% vs 88.0%) and greater seizure-freedom rates (11.1% vs 23.1%). Treatment-emergent adverse events were reported in 76 (66.7%) placebo- and 192 (74.4%) perampanel-treated patients (most common: dizziness, somnolence, headache, and nasopharyngitis). Serious TEAEs occurred in 5 (4.4%) placebo- and 11 (4.3%) perampanel-treated patients. CONCLUSIONS Adjunctive perampanel was efficacious and generally well tolerated in adolescent patients with partial-onset, SG, or PGTC seizures and represents a potentially beneficial treatment option for adolescents with uncontrolled epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Eric Piña-Garza
- The Children's Hospital at TriStar Centennial, 330 23rd Avenue North, Suite 580, Nashville, TN 37203, USA.
| | - William Rosenfeld
- Comprehensive Epilepsy Care Center for Children and Adults, 11134 Conway Road, St. Louis, MO 63131, USA.
| | - Kazunori Saeki
- Eisai Co., Ltd., 4-6-10, Koishikawa, Bunkyo-ku, Tokyo 112-8088, Japan.
| | - Vicente Villanueva
- Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Avinguda de Fernando Abril Martorell 106, 46026, Valencia, Spain.
| | - Harumi Yoshinaga
- National Hospital Organization, Minami-Okayama Medical Center, 4066 Hayashimacho Hayashima, Tsukubo-gun, Okayama 701-0304, Japan.
| | - Anna Patten
- Eisai Ltd., Mosquito Way, Hatfield, Hertfordshire AL10 9SN, UK.
| | - Betsy Williams
- Formerly: Eisai Inc., 100 Tice Blvd, Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677, USA.
| | - Manoj Malhotra
- Eisai Inc., 100 Tice Blvd, Woodcliff Lake, NJ 07677, USA.
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Rocamora R, Peltola J, Assenza G, McMurray R, Villanueva V. Safety, tolerability and effectiveness of transition to eslicarbazepine acetate from carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine in clinical practice. Seizure 2019; 75:121-128. [PMID: 31981862 DOI: 10.1016/j.seizure.2019.12.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 12/19/2019] [Accepted: 12/21/2019] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the efficacy, safety and tolerability of eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) in patients transitioning from carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine to ESL in clinical practice, by analysing data from the Euro-Esli study. METHODS Euro-Esli was a pooled analysis of 14 European clinical practice studies. Effectiveness assessments included responder rate (≥50 % seizure frequency reduction) and seizure freedom rate (seizure freedom at least since prior visit), assessed after 3, 6 and 12 months of ESL treatment, and at the last visit. Safety and tolerability were assessed throughout follow-up by evaluating adverse events (AEs) and ESL discontinuation due to AEs, respectively. Data were analysed for cohorts of patients who transitioned from carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine to ESL either due to lack of efficacy or poor tolerability. RESULTS Euro-Esli included 2058 patients, of whom 233 (11.3 %) transitioned from carbamazepine to ESL and 134 (6.5 %) transitioned from oxcarbazepine to ESL. After 12 months of ESL treatment, responder and seizure freedom rates for patients transitioning from carbamazepine due to lack of efficacy (n = 163) were 70.0 % and 30.9 %, respectively. Corresponding values for patients transitioning from oxcarbazepine due to lack of efficacy (n = 90) were 57.1 % and 25.0 %, respectively. Among patients who transitioned from carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine to ESL due to poor tolerability (n = 64 and n = 61, respectively), 26.6 % and 39.5 % experienced AEs, and 8.3 % and 6.8 % discontinued ESL due to AEs, respectively. CONCLUSION ESL was efficacious and generally well tolerated in patients transitioning from carbamazepine or oxcarbazepine in clinical practice due to inadequate seizure control or intolerable AEs with these agents.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo Rocamora
- Epilepsy Monitoring Unit, Department of Neurology, Hospital Del Mar-Hospital del Mar Medical Research Institute (IMIM), Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Jukka Peltola
- Department of Neurology, Tampere University and Tampere University Hospital, Tampere, Finland.
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Villanueva V, Bermejo P, Montoya J, Massot-Tarrús A, Galiano ML, Toledo M, Rodriguez-Uranga JJ, Bertol V, Mauri JÁ, Poza JJ, Bonet M, Castro-Vilanova MD, Ruiz-Giménez J, López-González FJ, Rodríguez-Osorio X, Tortosa-Conesa D, Ojeda J, Giner P, Garcés M, Alvarez BM, Quiroga-Subirana P, Esteve P, Baiges JJ, Hampel K. MONOZEB: Long-term observational study of eslicarbazepine acetate monotherapy. Epilepsy Behav 2019; 97:51-59. [PMID: 31181429 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.05.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2019] [Revised: 04/26/2019] [Accepted: 05/08/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
Abstract
AIM The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness and tolerability of eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) when used as monotherapy for 1 year or more in routine clinical use in patients with focal seizures in epilepsy clinics in Spain. METHODS This is a retrospective, observational, noninterventional study. Eligible patients were aged ≥18 years, had focal seizures, and started on ESL ≥1 year before database closure. Primary endpoint was the following: proportion seizure-free for ≥6 months at 1 and 2 years. Secondary endpoints included retention on ESL monotherapy at 1 and 2 years, seizure frequency change, seizure worsening, and side effects. Other analyses included seizure freedom from baseline to 1 and 2 years and outcomes in special populations. RESULTS Four hundred thirty-five patients were included (127 on first-line monotherapy and 308 converting to ESL monotherapy): median daily dose was 800 mg at all time points; 63.2% were seizure-free at 1 year, 65.1% at 2 years, and 50.3% for the entire follow-up. Mean duration of ESL monotherapy was 66.7 months; retention was 88.0% at 1 year and 81.9% at 2 years. Mean reduction in seizure frequency was 75.5% at last visit. Over the entire follow-up, seizure worsening was seen in 22 patients (5.1%), side effects in 28.0%, considered severe in 1.8%, and leading to discontinuation in 5.7%. Dizziness, hyponatremia (sodium <135 mEq/l), and somnolence were the most frequent side effects. Outcomes in special populations (patients aged ≥65 years and those with psychiatric history or learning difficulty) were consistent with the overall population. CONCLUSIONS Patients with focal seizures taking ESL monotherapy had excellent retention, high seizure-free rates, and good tolerability up to 2 years.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Pedro Bermejo
- Hospital Universitario Puerta de Hierro, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | | | - Manuel Toledo
- Hospital Universitari Vall d'Hebrón, Barcelona, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Pau Giner
- Hospital Universitario Doctor Peset, Valencia, Spain
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Kevin Hampel
- Hospital Universitario y Politécnico La Fe, Valencia, Spain
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Doherty CP, Rheims S, Assenza G, Boero G, Chaves J, McMurray R, Villanueva V. Eslicarbazepine acetate in epilepsy patients with psychiatric comorbidities and intellectual disability: Clinical practice findings from the Euro-Esli study. J Neurol Sci 2019; 402:88-99. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2019.04.040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 10/26/2022]
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