Cytochrome P450 2C19 polymorphisms and valproic acid-induced weight gain.

Objectives: Cytochrome P450 (CYP) 2C19 plays a role in the biotransformation of clinically relevant drugs as well as endogenous compounds, including sex hormones, which are known to be modulators of food intake and energy balance in humans. We attempted to investigate the influence of CYP2C19 polymorphisms on valproic acid (VPA)-induced weight gain.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective longitudinal study included 85 VPA-treated and 93 carbamazepine (CBZ)-treated (as a reference) young patients with epilepsy.

Possible association between moderate intellectual disability and weight gain in valproic acid-treated patients with epilepsy.

Background: Although patients with moderate intellectual disability (ID) are known to have higher rates of being overweight and obese than those without ID, there are no current data regarding the relationship between ID and weight gain in epilepsy patients treated with valproic acid (VPA).

Patients And Methods: The possible association between moderate ID and an overweight status at the time of initiation of VPA therapy (baseline) was investigated using a logistic regression analysis in 143 patients with epilepsy. Among the 119 nonoverweight patients at baseline, the longitudinal association between moderate ID and the weight status during VPA therapy was retrospectively examined using a Cox hazards regression analysis and the generalized estimating equations approach, while also paying careful attention to associations with other patient characteristics.