Rapid versus slow withdrawal of antiepileptic monotherapy in two-year seizure-free adults patients with epilepsy (RASLOW) study: A pragmatic multicentre, prospective, randomized, controlled study.

Purpose: To establish whether a slow or a rapid withdrawal of antiepileptic monotherapy influences relapse rate in seizure-free adults with epilepsy and calculates compliance and differences in the severity of relapses, based on the occurrence of status epilepticus, seizure-related injuries, and death.

Methods: This is a multicentre, prospective, randomized, open label, non-inferiority trial in people aged 16 + years who were seizure-free for more than 2 years. Patients were randomized to slow withdrawal (160 days) or rapid withdrawal (60 days) and were followed for 12 months.

Trends in survival of ALS from a population-based registry.

To assess survival of ALS patients in general and in selected demographic and clinical subgroups comparing two periods (1998-2000 vs. 2008-2010). Newly diagnosed adults resident of Lombardy, Northern Italy from a population-based registry were included.

The management of epilepsy in clinical practice: Do the timing and severity of the disease influence the priorities of patients and the caring physicians? Data from the EPINEEDS study.

Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the priorities of patients with epilepsy and their caring physicians with reference to the timing and severity of the disease.

Methods: This is a national survey in which patients with epilepsy followed in 21 Italian epilepsy centers, and their caring physicians were asked to fill anonymous questionnaires to collect data on different aspects of the disease and their needs and priorities in its management. The collected information included demographics, clinical profile and diagnosis, treatment and outcome of epilepsy.

The management of epilepsy in clinical practice: Do the needs manifested by the patients correspond to the priorities of the caring physicians? Findings from the EPINEEDS Study.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the priorities of patients with epilepsy and caring physicians and the correspondence between these priorities.

Methods: In this multicenter cross-sectional study, patients with epilepsy attending 21 Italian epilepsy centers and their caring physicians filled anonymously questionnaires on the needs and priorities in the management of the disease. Included were questions on patients' demographics, diagnosis, treatment, and outcome of epilepsy.