Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
3051622 | Epilepsy & Behavior | 2006 | 7 Pages |
ObjectiveQuality of life (QOL) was assessed in patients who switched to oxcarbazepine monotherapy because of the lack of efficacy or poor tolerability of their current antiepileptic drug (AED).MethodThis open-label, single-arm study consisted of patients aged ⩾12 years with partial onset seizures. Oxcarbazepine (8–10 mg/kg/day for children, 600 mg/day for adults) was titrated up over 4 weeks while the existing AED was tapered off. QOL was evaluated at baseline and end of study (Week 16) using the validated-in-epilepsy QOLIE-31 questionnaire.ResultsFor all patients who completed the QOLIE-31 at baseline and completion, a statistically significant improvement was noted for both the composite and multi-item subscale QOL scores (P < 0.05 vs baseline). Statistically significant mean percentage improvements of ⩾10% from baseline (range = 10.8–50.1%) were also noted. Significant improvements were seen in health-related QOL for patients who experienced seizure freedom or ⩾50% reductions in seizure frequency with oxcarbazepine monotherapy.ConclusionsPatients with partial seizures who switched to oxcarbazepine monotherapy showed statistically significant, clinically relevant improvements in QOL.