Demographic characteristics of epilepsy patients and antiepileptic drug utilization in adult patients: Results of a cross-sectional survey.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Through this cross-sectional study, we examined the demographic parameters, comorbidities, and antiepileptic drug (AED) utilization in patients with epilepsy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We collected data of 973 adult patients with epilepsy and analysed AED utilization according to the epilepsy type, age group and gender. RESULTS: The study included 973 patients (males, 61.3%) with a mean age of 35.6 years. Only 3.6% patients were not educated whereas 45.3% patients were employed. Only 1.2% patients had a history of brain injury. The mean frequency of seizures during the previous 6 months was 24.0 ± 49.1 whereas the mean duration of epilepsy was 5.8 ± 5.8 years. Electroencephalogram was the most common (59.7%) investigation performed. A total of 109 (11.2%) patients had comorbid medical illness, with hypertension being observed in 3.3% patients. Levetiracetam was used in 583 (59.9%) patients whereas valproate, clobazam, and phenytoin were used in 16.3%, 14.8%, and 13.6% patients, respectively. Effectiveness and safety/tolerability profile were the two most important considerations for selecting the AED. A total of 924 (95%) patients had seizure control with the current therapy during the previous 6 months whereas the mean seizure-free interval was 7.1 ± 4.1 months. Levetiracetam was used in 34.9%, 45.7%, and 61.1% patients and valproate in 15.2%, 10.9%, and 4.6% patients in the age group of 18-30, 31-50 and 51-75 years, respectively. Levetiracetam was used in 57.7% and 63.4% whereas valproate was used in 19% and 12.2% male and female patients, respectively. The adverse event rate was only 0.1%. CONCLUSION: Epilepsy is common in adult patients. Hypertension is the most common comorbidity. Levetiracetam is the most commonly used AED across all studied age groups and both genders. Control of epilepsy with current treatment is satisfactory with no major adverse events.