| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3050145 | Epilepsy & Behavior | 2010 | 5 Pages |
“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.
