Abstracts

SEIZURE EFFICACY AND QUALITY OF LIFE IMPROVEMENT WITH THE USE OF LAMOTRIGINE

Abstract number : 2.352
Submission category :
Year : 2004
Submission ID : 4801
Source : www.aesnet.org
Presentation date : 12/2/2004 12:00:00 AM
Published date : Dec 1, 2004, 06:00 AM

Authors :
1Alexandra E. McBride, 1Deborah Risbrook, 2Rosanne Pachilakis, 1Connie Lau, 2Ken R. Perrine, and 1Alan B. Ettinger

Assessment of anti-epileptic medication effects are commonly performed in somewhat artificial experimental conditions. This study evaluates seizure efficacy and mood and quality-of-life effects of lamotrigine (LTG) in a real-world clinical setting. This ongoing prospective observational study recruited adult patients at the outpatient centers of the Long Island Jewish Comprehensive Epilepsy Center who were identified as appropriate candidates for LTG treatment by their epileptologists. Patients completed the Quality of Life in Epilepsy-31 inventory (QOLIE-31), the Profile of Mood States (POMS), and a seizure severity scale at baseline, 2 months, 6 months, and one year after beginning LTG, with the dosage titrated according to concomitant antiepileptic medications. Of 61 patients enrolled, 23 have completed the baseline evaluation and one year assessment after LTG initiation. There are 10 males and 13 females. The mean age is 39, and the mean duration of epilepsy is 13.5 years. Fourteen patients (61%) had greater than 50% reduction in seizures, and 9 patients (39%) had no change in seizures. Significant improvement was found on the QOLIE-31 in the overall score (p[lt]0.009) and in subsets assessing cognition (p[lt]0.43) and medication effects (p[lt]0.035). Trends of improvement were found in subsets of emotional well-being (p[lt]0.057) increased energy (p[lt]0.072). POMS scores found significant improvement in the subset assessing increased vigor (p[lt]0.009). There were no significant differences on all scores between the groups who had improvement in seizure control and those who did not. Improvement in quality of life and mood occurs with the use of LTG. While most patients had better seizure control with LTG, these quality of life effects were independent of seizure efficacy, suggesting an independent medication effect. (Supported by GlaxoSmithKline)