Evaluation of levetiracetam and valproic acid as monotherapy on quality of life in patients of generalized tonic clonic epilepsy

Authors

  • Sanjay K. Verma Department of Pharmacology, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
  • Suman Bala Department of Pharmacology, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
  • Yashpal Singh Department of Neurology, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
  • Saurabh Kohli Department of Pharmacology, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
  • Juhi Kalra Department of Pharmacology, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
  • Dilip C. Dhasmana Department of Pharmacology, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
  • Taruna Sharma Department of Pharmacology, Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20181168

Keywords:

Generalized tonic clonic seizure, Levetiracetam, Quality of life in epilepsy, QOLIE-10, Valproic acid

Abstract

Background: Quality of life plays an important role in patients of epilepsy and is the most neglected part during management. The antiepileptic drugs treatment results in seizure control but adversely affect the quality of life in patients.

Methods: An observational analytical study was conducted in the Department of pharmacology with Department of Neurology of Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences, Dehradun over 12 months. 85 patients fulfilling the inclusion criteria with diagnosis of generalized tonic clonic seizures (GTCS) were enrolled and divided into two groups based on physicians discretion and followed up for 12 weeks. Patients were evaluated for quality of life by QOLIE-10 self administered questionnaire at 0 and 12 weeks, assessed for seizure control and drug related adverse effects.

Results: 85 patients were enrolled and divided into two treatment arms as per physician discretion, levetiracetam (41) and valproic acid group (44). Study drugs showed significant improvement in quality of life, levetiracetam showed mean change that was significantly greater than valproic acid (p=0.003) at 12 weeks. Patients who failed to achieve seizure control at 6 weeks were 17% patients in levetiracetam and 20% in valproic acid group, reason being non-adherence which was 17% and 20% respectively. Adverse events recorded with Levetiracetam (10), most common being increased sleep and with valproic acid (18), with most common being increased sleep and weight gain.

Conclusions: Levetiracetam treatment resulted in better quality of life, with similar seizure control but decreased number of adverse effect then Valproic acid.

References

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Published

2018-03-23

How to Cite

Verma, S. K., Bala, S., Singh, Y., Kohli, S., Kalra, J., Dhasmana, D. C., & Sharma, T. (2018). Evaluation of levetiracetam and valproic acid as monotherapy on quality of life in patients of generalized tonic clonic epilepsy. International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 7(4), 669–675. https://doi.org/10.18203/2319-2003.ijbcp20181168

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Original Research Articles