Quality of life after vagus nerve stimulation for intractable epilepsy: is seizure control the only contributing factor?

We assessed the impact of vagus nerve stimulation on a cohort of patients with intractable epilepsy. A 1-year prospective trial of vagus nerve stimulation for intractable epilepsy was done in 26 patients. Seizure frequency, anti-epileptic drugs, and quality of life were assessed using QOLIE-89, ELDQOL, and a Likert scale of impact of treatment.

The effects of adjunctive topiramate therapy on seizure severity and health-related quality of life in patients with refractory epilepsy---a Canadian study.

Although reduction in seizure frequency is the most common endpoint used to assess the antiepileptic efficacy, seizure frequency alone does not provide a complete picture of effectiveness, particularly in patients with refractory epilepsy. The aim of our study was to assess the effects of topiramate on seizure severity and health-related quality of life (HRQL), in addition to standard efficacy measures, in an open, multicentre, 6-month trial of patients with epilepsy uncontrolled on antiepileptic drugs other than topiramate. Two hundred and nine patients were enrolled and received topiramate for up to 6 months (initiated at 50 mg/day and titrated to a recommended dose of 200-400 mg/day) in addition to existing medication.