ObjectiveTo observe the children with idiopathic epilepsy who received AED therapy and seizure-free, withdrawal at least 1 year, and analyze the risk factors of seizure recurrence. In order to give better instructions for AED withdrawal of children with idiopathic epilepsy in pediatric department.
MethodsChildren with idiopathic epilepsy who were seizure-free and had stopped AED treatment at least 1 year before the deadline of observation were collected from pediatric outpatient and inpatient department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Guangxi Medical University from January 2011 to January 2014. The following variables, derived from the case records were analyzed: sex, age at seizure onset, type of seizure, time period between the onset of the first seizure and start of treatment, number of seizures in the time period between the start of AED therapy and the last seizure, number of AEDs before remission, time period between the start of AED therapy and the last seizure, time period between the last seizure and withdrawal of AED treatment (seizure-free period, timing of AED withdrawal), time period between the start of AED withdrawal and total discontinuation(speed of withdrawal), EEG registered at the time of diagnosis, before AED withdrawal, during and after AED withdrawal, and the condition of recurrence, data analysed by multi-variate step-wise Cox regression model analysis.
ResultsA total of 16(12.8%) children relapsed in a total number of 125 children with idiopathic epilepsy we collected; date evaluated by multi-variable analysis showed that the children suffering from seizure type of focal seizure, starting withdrawal after a seizure-free period of less than 3 years and with abnormal post-withdrawal EEG recording was associated with a higher risk of seizure recurrence.
ConclusionsChildren with idiopathic epilepsy have a low risk of recurrence after AED withdrawal. Those who suffer from seizure type of focal seizure, start withdrawal after a seizure-free period of less than 3 years and with abnormal post-withdrawal EEG recording are associated with a higher risk of seizure recurrence.
ObjectiveTo evaluate the effectiveness of levetiracetam (LEV) added on to usual care, in treating children refractory partial seizure epilepsy.MethodsWe searched the Cochrane library, EMBASE and PubMed between January 1998-January 2017, We systematically searched CNKI database and Wanfang data, Chinese biology medline and the manual retrieval related magazines.RevMan 5.3 statistical software for Meta analysis.ResultsAccording to the enrollment criteria, fourtrials were included involving 498 participants according to the intent-to-treat, 268 for LEV, and 230 for placebo groups.We assessed the following outcomes: 50% or greater seizure reduction, seizure freedom, adverse effects, proportion of dropouts and quality of life. There was no evidence of statistical heterogeneity between trials.We assessed outcomes by using a meta-analysis to calculate odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (95% CI). For the 50% or greater reduction in focal seizure frequency outcome, the OR was significantly in favour of LEV [OR=2.94, 95% CI(1.99, 4.34)].Participants were significantly more likely in LEV groups than placebo groups to get seizure free[OR=5.31, 95% CI(2.49, 11.32)]. There was no significance between LEV groups and placebo groupsin the rate of Treatment withdrawal[OR=0.76, 95% CI(1.32, 1.82)]. Somnolence[OR=2.57, 95% CI(1.36, 4.86)]and changes in behaviour [OR=2.54, 95% CI(1.56, 4.14)] were significantly associated with LEV. Other adverse effects were not significantly associated with LEV in children.ConclusionThe existing evidence suggests that LEV add in treatment of children refractory epilepsy have definite curative effect, LEV long-term treatment effect is stable, good security, retention rate is higher, can be used in clinical further promotion.
Objectives
To investigate the effects of new antiepileptic drugs [oxcarbazepine (OXC), levetiracetam (LEV), lamotrigine (LTG)] on thyroid hormones in male adults with epilepsy.
Methods
Thirty-eight newly diagnosed male adult patients with epilepsy were enrolled in the Epilepsy Center of Sichuan Province People's Hospital from April 2015 to November 2016. The diagnosis was in line with the classification of epilepsy defined by the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE, 1981). Only patients with generalized or secondary generalized epilepsy were recruited into the present study. Individual treatment with OXC, LEV, or LTG was randomly assigned to the 38 patients. Thyroid hormones was measured before treatment and 6 months after taking the medicine. Followed by an analysis of the comparison between the treated patients and healthy volunteers (healthy controls) as well as the changes and differences between the patients themselves before and after treatment.
Results
There was no significant difference in the thyroid hormone levels between male patients with epilepsy before taking the medicine and healthy controls (P>0.05). After 6 months, total thyroxine (TT4) and free thyroxine (FT4) in OXC group was significantly lower than the baseline (P<0.05). However, the thyroid hormone levels in the LEV group and LTG group showed no statistical difference before and after treatment (P>0.05).
Conclusions
OXC can reduce serum total thyroxine (TT4) and free thyroxine (FT4), which might be harmful to thyroid hormone of patients.
ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the pathogenesis of AED-induced SJS/TEN across the spectrum of HLA-A, -B and -DRB1 alleles, and to explore the different clinical characteristics of patients with and without the HLA-B*15:02 allele in the SJS/TEN group.
MethodsA total of twenty-three patients exhibiting AED-induced SJS/TEN (16 CBZ-SJS/TEN, seven LTG-SJS/TEN) and fifty-two patients who exhibited tolerance to AEDs were recruited. High-resolution HLA genotyping was performed to estimate the prevalence of the HLA-A, -B and -DRB1 alleles for each subject. Patients in the SJS/TEN group were further divided to positive HLA-B*15:02 allele group and negative HLA-B*15:02 allele group depending on whether carrying the HLA-B*15:02 allele, and the clinical feathers were compared between the two groups.
ResultsNine of twenty-three patients (39%) in the SJS/TEN group were male, and the mean age of this group was 32 (8-68) years old. Twenty-eight of fifty-four (54%) patients in the tolerant group were male, and the mean age of the tolerant group was 28 (9-64) years old.Fourteen subjects in the SJS/TEN group carried the HLA-B*15:02 allele, whereas only four subjects (7.7%) in the AED-tolerant group carried this allele; the carrier rate of HLA-B*15:02 was significantly different between the groups (P<0.001). Among the fourteen patients who carried the HLA-B*15:02 allele in the SJS/TEN group, composing the positive HLA-B*15:02 allele group, eight patients (57.1%) were female, whereas six of nine patients in the negative HLA-B*15:02 allele group were female. The difference of the gender didn't have statistical significance between the two groups, nor did the other clinical characteristics, including mean age, the dosage of the AEDs, the interval from the drug administration to the onset of the SJS/TEN, fever, allergic history, abnormal MRI and abnormal EEG results.
ConclusionsThe pathogenesis of AED-induced SJS/TEN is a complex process, which may involve one or more alleles. The HLA-B*15:02 allele may be a genetic susceptibility factor of the AED-induced SJS/TEN. However, we didn't find significant difference of the clinical characteristics of SJS/TEN between the patients with and without the HLA-B*15:02 allele. Notably, further studies using larger samples are required to confirm these conclusions.
Objective
To investigate the changes of cognitive function of epileptic patients after antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) therapy.
Methods
Twenty eight cases of epileptic patients with new diagnosis and untreatment from March 2015 to February 2016 were collected. According to the seizure type, degree of attack and drug efficacy, patients were divided into three groups and treated with one of three AEDs, including Lamotrigine (LTG), Oxcarbazepine (OXC), and Sodium valproate (VPA). Among them, 11 were LTG group, 12 were OXC group and 5 were VPA group.Then the patients were followed up for 1 year. The clinical memory scale was used to analyze cognitive function of epileptic patients before and after therapy.
Results
Compared to 30 cases of healthy volunteers, the scores of memory quotient (P<0.01), directed memory (P<0.05), associative learning (P<0.05) and image free recall (P<0.01) of epileptic patients were obviously decreased before AEDs therapy.AEDs therapy reduced or controlled seizures in new diagnostic epileptic patients, and the total effective rate was 85.7%. In the clinical memory scale tests, the scores of memory quotient (P<0.01), directed memory (P<0.05), associative learning (P<0.05), portrait characteristics contact memory (P<0.05) were improved after therapy. The scores of image free recall and meaningless graphics recognition were also improved, but there was no statistical significance. Besides, there was a statistically significant improvement in the score of portrait characteristics contact memory after LTG treatment (P<0.05), and directed memory after VPA treatment (P<0.05).
Conclusions
Epileptic patients accompanied with cognitive deficits before drug intervention. Through standard AEDs treatment, seizures could be better controlled. The cognitive function of epileptic patients was not declined after short-term（within 1 year） intervention of LTG, OCX or VPA. Moreover some parts of the cognitive domain could be improved.
ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to identify clinical and electroencephalographic features associated with refractoriness to the initial antiepileptic drug in typical benign childhood epilepsy with centrotemporal spikes (BECTS).
MethodsA total of 87 children with typical BECTS were retrospectively reviewed in the analyses.The patients were subdivided into two groups:patients whose seizures were controlled with monotherapy, and those requiring two medications. 63 childrenachieved seizure-freedom with monotherapy, while 24 received two medications for seizure control.
ResultsDiffusing foci at the follow-up EEG and delayed treatment (duration > 1 year) are two main risk factors associated with more refractory cases (P < 0.001). Delayed diagnosis (37.1%) and non-adherence to treatment (57.2%) contributed to delayed treatment.
ConclusionsOur findings suggested that diffusing foci on EEG and delayed treatment are associated with more frequent seizures and refractoriness in BECTS. Diagnostic delays and non-adherence hindered timely care, which may represent opportunities for improved intervention.
ObjectivesTo systematically review the influence of antiepileptic drugs on bone mineral density and bone metabolism in adults.MethodsPubMed, EMbase, CNKI, CBM, VIP and WanFang Data databases were electronically searched to collect studies on the influence on antiepileptic drugs on the bone mineral density and bone metabolism in adults from inception to April 1st, 2018. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data and assessed the risk of bias of included studies. Then, meta-analysis was performed by using RevMan 5.3 software.ResultsA total of 14 studies were included. The results of meta-analysis showed that: VPA could decline the bone mineral density of lumbar spine (SMD=–0.39, 95%CI –0.65 to –0.13, P=0.003); CBZ (SMD=–0.71, 95%CI –1.08 to –0.33, P=0.000 2) and VPA (SMD=–0.3, 95%CI –0.58 to –0.02, P=0.03) could decline the bone mineral density of femoral neck; CBZ could decline the bone mineral density of total hip (SMD=–0.47, 95%CI –0.84 to –0.10, P=0.01). Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 was decreased in OXC group (SMD=–0.67, 95%CI –1.28 to –0.05, P=0.03); serum calcium was decreased in CBZ (SMD=–0.49, 95%CI –0.78 to –0.20, P=0.000 8), LEV (SMD=–0.83, 95%CI –1.15 to –0.51, P<0.000 01) and OXC (SMD=–0.48, 95%CI –0.90 to –0.05, P=0.03) group; serum phosphorus was decreased in LEV group (SMD=–11.36, 95%CI –12.97 to –9.76, P<0.000 01). Serum alkaline phosphatase was increased significantly in LEV (SMD=6.79, 95%CI 5.78 to 7.80, P<0.000 01) and CBZ (SMD=1.90, 95%CI 1.35 to 2.44, P<0.000 01) group.ConclusionsCurrent evidence shows that treatment with antiepileptic drugs may be associated with an decreasing bone mineral density and influence bone metabolism in epileptic adults. Due to limited quality and quantity of the included studies, more high quality studies are required to verify above conclusion.
Objective
To investigate the effects of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) with warfarin functions and blood coagulation system, to provide the reference for clinicians of the selection of AEDs under the combination therapy with warfarin.
Methods
Analyse the clinical data of the patient with symptomatic epilepsy from the Second Clinical Medical College of Guiyang University of Chinese Medicine on April 1, 2017, whom taking AEDs and warfarin at the same time, clear the drug adverse reactions, and analysed related literature.
Results
After the treatment with valproate, abnormal blood coagulation, a danger and emergency data appeared, so we stopped using warfarin immediately, and reduce the dosage of valproate gradually, insteadly, we used levetiracetam as antiepileptic therapy. Monitoring blood coagulation function, when it returned to normal, restart warfarin anticoagulant therapy.
Conclusions
When start antiepileptic treatment in relevant basic diseases of symptomatic epilepsy, for a variety of combination reactions, AEDs can affect the anticoagulant effect of warfarin, so we need to consider the interaction between drugs and avoid adverse reactions.
PurposeTo analyze the effect of medication withdraw (MW) on long-term electroencephalogram (EEG) monitoring in children who need preoperative assessment for refractory epilepsy.MethodsRetrospective analysis was performed on the data of preoperative long-term EEG monitoring of children with refractory epilepsy who needed preoperative evaluation in the Pediatric Epilepsy Center of Peking University First Hospital from August 2018 to December 2019. Monitoring duration: at least three habitual seizures were detected, or the monitoring duration were as long as 10 days. MW protocol was according to the established plan.ResultsA total of 576 children (median age 4.4 years) required presurgical ictal EEGs, and 75 (75/576, 13.0%) needed MW for ictal EEGs. Among the 75 cases, 38 were male and 37 were female. The age range was from 15 months to 17 years (median age: 7.0 years). EEG and clinical data of with 65 children who strictly obey the MW protocol were analyzed. The total monitoring duration range was from 44.1 h (about 2 days) to 241.8 h (about 10 days)(median: 118.9 h (about 5 days)). Interictal EEG features before MW were including focal interictal epileptiform discharge (IED) in 39 cases (39/65, 60%), focal and generalized IED in 2 cases (2/65, 3.1%), multifocal IED in 20 cases (20/65, 30.7%), multifocal and generalized IED in 2 cases (2/65, 3.1%), and no IED in 2 cases (2/65, 3.1%). After MW, 18 cases (18/65, 27.7%) had no change in IED and the other 47 cases had changes of IED after MW. And IEDs in 46 cases (46/65, 70.8%) were aggravated, and IED was decreased in 1 case. The pattern of aggravated IED was original IED increasement, in 41 cases (41/46, 89.1%), and 5 cases (5 /46, 10.9%) had generalized IED which was not detected before MW. Of the 46 patients with IED exacerbations, 87.3% appeared within 3 days after MW. Habitual seizures were detected in 56 cases (86.2%, 56/65) after MW, and within 3 days of MW in 80.4% cases. Eight patients (14.3%) had secondary bilateral-tonic seizure (BTCS), of which only 1 patient had no BTCS in his habitual seizures. In 56 cases, 94.6% (53/56) had seizures after MW of two kinds of AEDs.Conclusions① In this group, thirteen percent children with intractable epilepsy needed MW to obtain ictal EEG; ② Most of them (86.2%) could obtain ictal EEG by MW. The IED and ictal EEG after MW were still helpful for localization of epileptogenic zone; ③ Most of the patients can obtain ictal EEG within 3 days after MW or after MW of two kinds of AEDs;4. The new secondary generalization was extremely rare.
ObjectiveTo systematically evaluate the efficacy of steroids combined with antiepileptic drugs compared with alone antiepileptic drugs in the treatment of children with epileptic electrical status during sleep to provide evidence-based medical basis for its treatment.MethodsElectronic searches were maded in PubMed, Embase database, Cochrane Library, CNKI, Wanfang and the Chinese biomedical literature database for the literature about steroids combined with antiepileptic drugs compared with alone antiepileptic drugs in the treatment, and retrieval time is from January 1990 to October 2020. Two evaluators independently screened literature, extracted data, evaluated literature quality and risk of bias and checked each other. Meta analysis was performed by stata16.0 software.ResultsA total of 679 children with ESES were included in 10 studies, including 9 randomized controlled trials and 1 retrospective cohort study. Meta analysis results showed that there were statistically significant differences in clinical improvement rate [RR=1.31, 95%CI (1.21, 1.42), P<0.01], electroencephalogram discharge improvement rate [RR=1.35, 95%CI (1.25, 1.46), P<0.01] and cognitive intelligence score [SMD=1.19, 95%CI (0.80, 1.57), P<0.01] between steroids combined with antiepileptic drugs group and alone antiepileptic drugs group after 6 months follow-up. The incidence of adverse reactions in steroids combined with antiepileptic drugs group was higher than that in alone antiepileptic drugs group, and the difference was statistically significant [RR=4.13, 95%CI (1.06, 16.13), P<0.01]. All adverse reactions improved or disappeared after drug withdrawal.ConclusionCompared with alone antiepileptic drugs, steroids combined with antiepileptic drugs group has advantages in controlling epileptic seizures, improving electroencephalogram abnormalities and improving cognitive ability, and it is relatively safe.
