Abstracts

Osteoporosis in People with Epilepsy: A Nationwide Population-based Cohort Study

Abstract number : 3.456
Submission category : 6. Cormorbidity (Somatic and Psychiatric)
Year : 2023
Submission ID : 1441
Source : www.aesnet.org
Presentation date : 12/4/2023 12:00:00 AM
Published date :

Authors :
Presenting Author: Emilija Cvetkovska, PhD – University St Cyril and Methodius

Marija Babunovska, MD – University st Cyril and Methodius; Bojan Boskovski, PhD – University St Cyril and Methodius; Marta Foteva, PhD – University St Cyril and Methodius; Aleksandar Jovanovski, MD – Clinic for Neurology, Gelsenkirchen, Germany; Gordana Kiteva Trencevska, MD, PhD – University St Cyril and Methodius; Igor Kuzmanovski, PhD – University St Cyril and Methodius

Rationale:
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of osteoporosis and factors for bone health in people with epilepsy (PWE) in a nationwide study in North Macedonia between 2014 through 2018. 

Methods:
PWE were selected through a systematic search of the electronic National Health System (eNHS). We collected demographic data and divided PWE into three age groups: children and adolescents (0-19 years), young adults (20-49 years), and late midlife and elderly (older > 50 years). PWE were also classified into two groups according to number of antiseizures medications (ASM: those who were prescribed one or two  ASM and those who were prescribed three or more ASMs throughout the study period. Among the patients on monotherapy, we further categorized them into those taking enzyme-inducing ASMs (EIASM) and those taking nonenzyme-inducing ASMs (non-EIASM). Additionally, we evaluated the number and type of other comorbid conditions.   

Results:
Out of 13818 prevalent epilepsy cases, 6383 (46.2%) were females, and 7435 (53.8%) were males. A total of 418 PWE had osteoporosis; 381 (91%) were females and 9% 37 patients (9%) were males. The mean age at study entry was 41.3 ± 22.4 years fo PWE without osteoporosis and 62.3 ± 11.8 years for those individuals who had osteoporosis; the difference was statistically significant (p = 0.00). The majority of patients with osteoporosis belong to the group of late midlife and elderly (older than 50 years). The use of EIASMs was associated with a 1.5-fold increased risk of osteoporosis (OR = 1.5118, 95% CI 1.1579-1.9738). More than half of PWE with osteoporosis (54.5%) had at least one additional comorbidity, including stroke, dementia, depression, cerebral palsy, or another paralytic syndrome. 55% of PWE with osteoporosis were prescribed bisphosphonate therapy and supplementation with Vitamin D and/or Calcium.

Conclusions:
Our study revealed that osteoporosis in PWE is more frequent in females and late midlife and elderly. Current information on osteoporosis risk in PWE may guide patients’ counseling and development of effective preventions in the groups with the highest occurrence.

Funding: None

Cormorbidity (Somatic and Psychiatric)