Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
---|---|---|---|---|
6014741 | Epilepsy & Behavior | 2011 | 4 Pages |
ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the association between the metabolic derangements induced by valproic acid (VPA) and ultrasound-diagnosed nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adolescents.MethodsUsing a cross-sectional design, we evaluated 86 adolescents with epilepsy who had received VPA monotherapy. Subjects for comparison were 67 normal-weight and 43 weight-matched adolescents. Participants underwent hepatic ultrasound, anthropometric evaluations, and biochemical tests.ResultsAlthough the occurrence of ultrasound-diagnosed NAFLD was higher in VPA-treated patients than in normal-weight controls (36.0% vs 7.5%, PÂ <Â 0.001), it was similar in VPA-treated patients and weight-matched controls (36.0% vs 34.9%, PÂ >Â 0.05). The identified predictors of NAFLD in VPA-treated patients were abdominal obesity (ORÂ =Â 3.2, 95% CIÂ =Â 2.1-6.8), insulin resistance (ORÂ =Â 2.8, 95% CIÂ =Â 1.7-5.2), metabolic syndrome (ORÂ =Â 2.6, 95% CIÂ =Â 1.4-4.8), and generalized obesity (ORÂ =Â 1.9, 95% CIÂ =Â 1.2-3.7).ConclusionValproic acid monotherapy is associated with NAFLD in a high percentage of adolescents with epilepsy who have typical VPA-related metabolic disturbances.