Frailty correlates with antiepileptic drug tolerability in older adults with epilepsy
Abstract number :
995
Submission category :
7. Antiepileptic Drugs / 7E. Other
Year :
2020
Submission ID :
2423328
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/7/2020 1:26:24 PM
Published date :
Nov 21, 2020, 02:24 AM
Authors :
Arielle Vary-O'Neal, Research Centre of the Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (crCHUM); Sareh Miranzadeh - University of Saskatchewan; Nafisa Husein - Research Centre of the Centre Hospitalier de l’Université de Montréal (crCHUM); Jayna Holro
Rationale:
Frailty is an important aspect of biological aging, referring to the increased vulnerability of frail individuals to physical and psychological stressors. Numerous studies have demonstrated that frailty is strongly associated with loss of functional independence and cognitive decline, as well as the occurrence of chronic diseases (e.g. cardiovascular). While older adults with epilepsy are an important and distinct clinical group, there are no data on frailty in this population. We hypothesize that frailty will correlate with the efficacy and especially the tolerability of antiseizure medications (ASMs) in older adults with epilepsy.
Method:
This is a cross-sectional observational study. We are recruiting participants from 4 Canadian hospital centers, aged 60 years or older with active epilepsy. ASM efficacy will be assessed using seizure frequency, while tolerability will be quantified using the Liverpool Adverse Events Profile (LAEP). We are applying 3 measures of frailty: grip strength as a measure of physical frailty, 1 self-reported score [Edmonton Frailty Score (EFS)], and 1 scale completed by a health-care professional [Clinical Frailty Scale (CFS)]. We are also administering standardized questionnaires measuring levels of anxiety, depression, functional disability, and quality of life. Results31 women and 36 men aged 60-93 years have been recruited thus far, 89% of whom have focal epilepsy, with an average frequency of 4.6 seizures per month. Preliminary analyses show a clear correlation between ASM tolerability and 2 measures of frailty: the EFS [Spearman’s rank correlation coefficient = 0.52 (95% CI: 0.28 – 0.72)] and CFS [correlation coefficient = 0.31 (95% CI: 0.05 – 0.53)].
Conclusion:
Our preliminary analyses show clear correlations between frailty and ASM tolerability. Frailty may become an important means of tailoring ASM choice in older adults with epilepsy, allowing clinicians to predict ASM efficacy and especially tolerability. We expect to complete recruitment for our study by autumn 2020.
Funding:
:Canadian Frailty Network
Antiepileptic Drugs