Quality of life and employment status are correlated with antiepileptic monotherapy versus polytherapy and not with use of “newer” versus “classic” drugs: Results of the “Compliant 2006” survey in 907 patients

“Classic” and “newer” antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) were compared in an epidemiological survey regarding patient's acceptance of AEDs, quality of life (QoL), and employment. Data from 907 outpatients, 45.9% female (mean age: 44.8 ± 17.9 years), were evaluated by 90 neurologists in private practices, who were also involved in a non-interventional study by Sanofi–Aventis Deutschland GmbH, regarding medication, seizure type, illness duration, employment, patients’ acceptance of AEDs (4-point scale where 1 = very good), and QoL (6-point scale where 1 = very good). Among the patients, 69.7% were on monotherapy, 25.4% were taking two AEDs, and 4.9% were taking more than two AEDs. Patient's acceptance of AEDs (mean ± SD = 1.65 ± 0.62) and QoL (2.34 ± 0.89) were “good.” Among patients aged 18–65 years, 68.6% were employed. QoL and acceptance were lower with polytherapy. Older age and polytherapy were associated with lower probability of employment. No differences emerged between “classic” and “newer” AED monotherapy. Polytherapy-associated lower QoL could be due to severity of illness or adverse effects of treatment.

Research Highlights
► Antiepileptic drug (AED) polytherapy is accompanied by lower quality of life/AED acceptance.
► AED polytherapy and higher age are associated with lower employment probability.
► “Newer” AEDs are not associated with superior quality of life/drug acceptance/employment frequency.
► As a study limitation, severity of illness and adverse effects were not specified.