Antiepileptic drug treatment in the end-of-life phase of glioma patients: a feasibility study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

During the end-of-life (EOL) phase of glioma patients, a rapid deterioration in neurological functioning may interfere with the oral intake of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). We aimed to assess the feasibility of non-oral AED treatment in an out-of-hospital setting according to an expert-based guideline.

Methods

Glioma patients with a history of epilepsy, in whom further antitumor therapy was considered to be no longer meaningful, were recruited at two Dutch hospitals. As soon as swallowing difficulties developed, the patient's caregiver administered prophylactic treatment with buccal clonazepam. Acute seizures were treated with intranasal midazolam. We evaluated the adherence to the study medication, seizure prevalence, and caregiver's satisfaction.

Results

Of

SUBMITTER: Koekkoek JA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4766209 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Apr

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature