Effect of lacosamide on the quality of life of patients with epilepsy

• Published in: Revista de neurologiá Vol. 59; no. 4; pp. 145 - 152
• Main Authors: García-Escrivá, Alexandre, López-Hernández, Nicolás, Llorca, Vanessa, Alfaro, Arantxa, Asensio-Asensio, Montserrat, García, César, Lezcano-Rodas, Miriam, Medrano, Vicente, Palao, Susana
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Spain 16.08.2014
• Subjects: Acetamides - adverse effects; Acetamides - therapeutic use; Adolescent; Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Anticonvulsants - adverse effects; Anticonvulsants - therapeutic use; Anxiety - etiology; Anxiety - prevention & control; Depression - etiology; Depression - prevention & control; Disorders of Excessive Somnolence - chemically induced; Drug Therapy, Combination; Epilepsies, Partial - drug therapy; Epilepsies, Partial - psychology; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Nausea - chemically induced; Prospective Studies; Quality of Life; Severity of Illness Index; Sodium Channel Blockers - adverse effects; Sodium Channel Blockers - therapeutic use; Young Adult
• ISSN: 1576-6578
• DOI: 10.33588/rn.5904.2014106

Epilepsy causes psychiatric disorders in 20-40% of patients impacting negatively on their quality of life. Lacosamide is a new antiepileptic as adjunctive therapy in partial seizures with or without generalization. We conducted a study to assess the impact of lacosamide as to the quality of life of epileptic patients. We used the HAD scale for anxiety and depression and QOLIE-10 scale for quality of life. We evaluated the efficacy and tolerability. We collected prospectively poorly controlled epileptic patients are and added lacosamide treatment. Baseline visit, at 3 and 6 months were performed. The questionnaires are completed and the epilepsy information has been collected. 31 patients, age 45.5 ± 17.2 years, 64.5% males are included. Number of previous monthly crisis 1.6 ± 1.8. HAD anxiety scale shows a significant improvement at 3 and 6 months. HAD scale for depression reflects a significant improvement in quality parameters. QOLIE-10 shows significant improvement for the group with low quality of life after 3 and 6 months. After 6 months 61.3% of patients have a seizure reduction equal or more than 50% and 54.8% are seizure free. Dizziness is the most common side effect (22.8%). 74.2% continued treatment. Lacosamide may improve anxiety, depression and quality of life of epileptic patients regardless of seizure control. Response to treatment, adherence and side effects are similar to previous studies.