Patterns of treatment response in newly diagnosed epilepsy.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

To delineate the temporal patterns of outcome and to determine the probability of seizure freedom with successive antiepileptic drug regimens in newly diagnosed epilepsy.

Methods

Patients in whom epilepsy was diagnosed and the first antiepileptic drug prescribed between July 1, 1982, and April 1, 2006, were followed up until March 31, 2008. Outcomes were categorized into 4 patterns: (A) early and sustained seizure freedom; (B) delayed but sustained seizure freedom; (C) fluctuation between periods of seizure freedom and relapse; and (D) seizure freedom never attained. Probability of seizure freedom with successive drug regimens was compared. Seizure freedom was defined as no seizures for ≥1 year.

Results

A total of 1,098 patients were included (median age 32

SUBMITTER: Brodie MJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3348850 | biostudies-literature | 2012 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature