Changes of serum lipid patterns during long-term anticonvulsive treatment

• Published in: The Clinical investigator Vol. 71; no. 7; p. 574
• Main Authors: Zeitlhofer, J, Doppelbauer, A, Tribl, G, Leitha, T, Deecke, L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Germany 01.07.1993
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Anticonvulsants - adverse effects; Anticonvulsants - pharmacology; Anticonvulsants - therapeutic use; Apolipoprotein A-I - analysis; Apolipoproteins B - analysis; Cholesterol - blood; Cholesterol, HDL - blood; Epilepsy - blood; Epilepsy - drug therapy; Female; Humans; Lipids - blood; Male; Middle Aged; Sex Factors; Time Factors
• ISSN: 0941-0198
• DOI: 10.1007/bf00208485

Serum lipids were determined in 97 patients (56 men, 41 women; ages 42 +/- 15 years) undergoing long-term anticonvulsive treatment (longer than 6 months). The total group showed increased total cholesterol, decreased high-density lipoprotein HDL cholesterol, an increased ratio of total to HDL cholesterol, and decreased apolipoprotein A1 and B values compared to population means. Considering males and females separately, all differences were significant (P < 0.01) in men, whereas in women only the differences in HDL cholesterol, ratio of total to HDL cholesterol, and apolipoproteins A1 and B reached the level of statistical significance. Considering the different anticonvulsant groups, cholesterol was significantly increased only in phenytoin-treated males; HDL cholesterol was significantly lowered and the ratio of total to HDL cholesterol significantly increased in all groups. Apolipoprotein A1 levels were significantly decreased in phenytoin-treated females and valproate-treated patients of both sexes. Apolipoprotein B levels were significantly decreased in all groups except carbamazepine-treated males. Especially in men treated with anticonvulsants these lipid levels may be considered a risk factor for atherosclerosis.