Perampanel in routine clinical use in idiopathic generalized epilepsy: The 12-month GENERAL study.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the effectiveness and tolerability of perampanel across different seizure types in routine clinical care of patients with idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE). METHODS: This multicenter, retrospective, 1-year observational study collected data from patient records at 21 specialist epilepsy units in Spain. All patients who were aged ≥12 years, prescribed perampanel before December 2016, and had a confirmed diagnosis of IGE were included. RESULTS: The population comprised 149 patients with IGE (60 with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, 51 generalized tonic-clonic seizures [GTCS] only, 21 juvenile absence epilepsy, 10 childhood absence epilepsy, 6 adulthood absence epilepsy, and one Jeavons syndrome). Mean age was 36 years. The retention rate at 12 months was 83% (124/149), and 4 mg was the most common dose. At 12 months, the seizure-free rate was 59% for all seizures (88/149); 63% for GTCS (72/115), 65% for myoclonic seizures (31/48), and 51% for absence seizures (24/47). Seizure frequency was reduced significantly at 12 months relative to baseline for GTCS (78%), myoclonic (65%), and absence seizures (48%). Increase from baseline seizure frequency was seen in 5.2% of patients with GTCS seizures, 6.3% with myoclonic, and 4.3% with absence seizures. Perampanel was effective regardless of epilepsy syndrome, concomitant antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), and prior AEDs, but retention and seizure freedom were significantly higher when used as early add-on (after ≤2 prior AEDs) than late (≥3 prior AEDs). Adverse events were reported in 50% of patients over 12 months, mostly mild or moderate, and irritability (23%), somnolence (15%), and dizziness (14%) were most frequent. SIGNIFICANCE: In routine clinical care of patients with IGE, perampanel improved seizure outcomes for GTCS, myoclonic seizures, and absence seizures, with few discontinuations due to adverse events. This is the first real-world evidence with perampanel across different seizure types in IGE.

Efficacy and tolerability of perampanel as a first add-on therapy with different anti-seizure drugs.

PURPOSE: To investigate the efficacy and tolerability of perampanel (PER) when administered as a first add-on therapy to patients with focal epilepsy or idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE) taking one other antiseizure drug (ASD). METHODS: This multicentre, retrospective, one-year observational study collected data from patients (≥12 years) who initiated treatment with PER as first add-on therapy. Patients had to be experiencing inadequate seizure control on ASD monotherapy and tried ≤3 ASD monotherapies before initiating PER. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed, adjusted for the number and type of previous seizures, duration and aetiology of epilepsy. RESULTS: Of the 149 patients included in the study (mean age 41 years; 54.4 % male), 118 (79.2 %) were still receiving PER as first add-on treatment after 12 months. Mean PER dose was 6.2 mg/day. At 12 months, 45.6 % were seizure-free and 84.6 % responders. A significant difference in seizure freedom rate was found between patients with IGE and patients with focal epilepsy, but not in responders. Reduced seizure control was observed when PER was administered with strong enzyme-inducing ASDs; conversely, increased seizure control was seen when the same dose of PER was combined with enzyme-inhibiting ASDs. The most frequent adverse events were dizziness (15.4 %), irritability (14.1 %) and drowsiness (14.1 %); no differences in tolerance were observed among different combinations. CONCLUSION: PER demonstrated a good efficacy and safety profile when used as a first add-on therapy in patients who did not respond to monotherapy. PER dose adjustments may optimize seizure control when combined with strong enzyme-inducing or enzyme-inhibiting ASDs.

Hemodynamic effects of proximal supra-aortic artery stenosis on anterior cerebral artery.

Alternating flow in the anterior cerebral artery is a rare finding, associated with innominate artery stenosis. We present a series of four patients with this finding on transcranial color coded sonography, under basal conditions. In all of these patients, vascular studies detected an ipsilateral proximal stenosis, three in the innominate artery and, for the first time, one at the left common carotid artery origin. Successful angioplasties with stenting were performed, resulting for the first time in the normalization of orthograde flow in all cases. We conclude that an early systolic hemodynamic compromise in the first segment of the anterior cerebral artery, in the form of alternating flow, is an indirect indicator of ipsilateral proximal stenosis in the supra-aortic arteries, either in the innominate artery or at the origin of the left common carotid artery.

Fingolimod: efectividad y seguridad en la práctica clínica habitual. Estudio observacional, retrospectivo y multicéntrico en la provincia de Alicante / Fingolimod: effectiveness and safety in routine clinical practice. An observational, retrospective, multi-centre study in the province of Alicante

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los estudios postautorización son importantes para confirmar si los resultados de los ensayos clínicos se reproducen en la práctica clínica habitual. OBJETIVO: Evaluar la efectividad y seguridad del fingolimod en la práctica clínica en la provincia de Alicante. PACIENTES Y MÉTODOS: Estudio multicéntrico retrospectivo de pacientes con esclerosis múltiple remitente tratados con fingolimod. Se recogen las características demográficas, clínicas y farmacológicas. Se describe la efectividad del fármaco -tasa anualizada de brotes (TAB) y porcentaje de pacientes libres de brotes- al año y a los dos años de tratamiento en relación con el año previo y datos de efectos secundarios. RESULTADOS: Se incluyó a 89 pacientes. El tratamiento previo fue inmunomodulador (interferón beta o acetato de glatiramero) en 54 pacientes y natalizumab en 32. Cincuenta pacientes cambiaron por fracaso con el inmunomodulador y 31 por serología positiva del virus JC (VJC+). La TAB global disminuyó el 67,3% el primer año (p < 0,0001) y el 84,1% el segundo (p = 0,0078). Disminuyó en los pacientes con fracaso del inmunomodulador (el 85,6% el primer año, p < 0,0001; el 88,9% el segundo año, p = 0,0039) y aumentó de forma no significativa en los pacientes VJC+ en el primer año. El porcentaje de pacientes libres de brotes en la población global aumentó del 32,6 al 68,1% en el primer año (p < 0,0019) y al 82,6% en el segundo (p = 0,0215). Este aumento no se observó en los pacientes VJC+. Trece pacientes tuvieron efectos secundarios, que obligaron a la retirada del fármaco en dos de ellos. CONCLUSIÓN: En la práctica clínica de la provincia de Alicante, el fingolimod mostró una efectividad y una seguridad ligeramente superiores a las de los ensayos clínicos

INTRODUCTION: Post-authorisation studies are important to confirm whether the outcomes of clinical trials are reproduced in usual clinical practice. AIMS: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of fingolimod in clinical practice in the province of Alicante. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A retrospective multi-centre study was conducted with remitting multiple sclerosis patients treated with fingolimod. Demographic, clinical and pharmacological data were collected. We report on the effectiveness of the drug -annualised relapse rate (ARR) and percentage of patients free from attacks- at one and at two years after treatment in relation to the previous year, and data concerning side effects are also provided. RESULTS: The sample consisted of 89 PATIENTS: Previous treatment was with immunomodulators (interferon beta or glatiramer acetate) in 54 patients and natalizumab in 32. Fifty patients changed due to failure with the immunomodulator and 31 owing to positive serology for JC virus (JCV+). Overall ARR decreased by 67.3% the first year (p < 0.0001) and by 84.1% the second (p = 0.0078). It diminished in patients with immunomodulator failure (85.6% the first year, p < 0.0001; 88.9% the second year, p = 0.0039) and increased in a non-significant manner in JCV+ patients in the first year. The percentage of patients free from relapses in the overall population increased from 32.6% to 68.1% in the first year (p < 0.0019) and to 82.6% in the second (p = 0.0215). This increase was not observed in JCV+ PATIENTS: Side effects were reported by 13 patients, which led to the drug being withdrawn in two of them. CONCLUSIONS: In clinical practice in the province of Alicante, levels of effectiveness and safety of fingolimod proved to be slightly higher than those found in clinical trials (AU)