Background: Patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) may have uncontrolled seizures. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use and challenges with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and the patients' view of these challenges.
Method: A questionnaire about the use of AEDs, adherence to therapy, and quality of life was given to patients with JME recruited from Drammen Hospital. Data regarding AEDs were confirmed from medical records at Drammen Hospital, Norway (2007-2018). Additional clinical interviews were performed, and a mixed method approach was applied.
Results: Ninety patients with defined JME diagnosis, 54/36 women/men aged 14-39 (mean: 25) years, were included. Only 29 (33%) were seizure-free. Within the last year, 21% experienced generalized tonic-clonic seizures (GTCS), and 68% had myoclonic jerks. Seventy-six (84%) used AEDs, 78% in monotherapy. A total of 10 AEDs were used;: most commonly valproate (n = 33), lamotrigine (n = 27), and levetiracetam (n = 21). Two-thirds of valproate users were men while all other AEDs were used more in females than in men. Valproate and levetiracetam displayed better efficacy against GTCS than lamotrigine. One-third often/sometimes forgot their medication nonintentionally while 14% had intentional poor adherence. The majority reported good quality of life (76%). No significant correlations between the use of AEDs, use of valproate, poor adherence, quality of life score, and seizure freedom were demonstrated. Half of the patients had serum concentrations measured every year, and two-thirds thought this was important. Qualitative interviews elucidated treatment challenges in JME;, adverse effect burden, adherence, and activities of daily life.
Conclusion: Despite the use of AEDs in the majority of patients, only one-third were seizure-free. Other challenges included polypharmacy, the use of valproate in women, and variable adherence. This points to a need for closer follow-up in patients with JME.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.yebeh.2019.05.021 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
[Trajectories of health-related quality of life and symptom burden in patients with advanced cancer towards the end of life: longitudinal results from the eQuiPe study].
Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd
January 2025
Integraal Kankercentrum Nederland (IKNL), Utrecht.
Unlabelled: The number of individuals with advanced cancer is increasing, making palliative care more important. However, there is limited knowledge in the Netherlands about the quality of care received by patients in the palliative phase. This is why the Netherlands comprehensive cancer organization (IKNL) started the 'eQuiPe study' to understand the experienced quality of care and quality of life of patients with advanced cancer and their relatives to further improve palliative care.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFDiagnosis and Treatment Options for Cirrhosis With Unexplained Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding: An Observational Study Based on Endoscopic Ultrasonography.
Surg Laparosc Endosc Percutan Tech
January 2025
Department of Gastroenterology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Key Laboratory of Digestive Diseases of Anhui Province, Hefei, Anhui, China.
Objective: To investigate the role of endoscopic ultrasonography (EUS) in the diagnosis and treatment of upper gastrointestinal bleeding of unknown origin in liver cirrhosis, focusing on patients with recurrent treatment of esophageal and gastric varices who failed to identify the bleeding site under direct endoscopy.
Background: Esophagogastric variceal bleeding is one of the severe complications of decompensated liver cirrhosis, and serial endoscopic therapy can improve the long-term quality of life of patients. Most acute bleeding can be detected under direct endoscopy with thrombus or active bleeding, but there are still some patients with recurrent bleeding after repeated treatments, and it is difficult to find the bleeding site, especially in gastric variceal bleeding.
The effect of apathy on quality of life and caregiver burden in patients with dementia.
Cogn Neuropsychiatry
January 2025
Behavioral Neurology and Movement Disorders Unit, Department of Neurology, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Istanbul University, Istanbul, Türkiye.
Introduction: Apathy is one of the common neuropsychiatric symptoms in people with dementia (PwD). The aim of this study is to determine the impact of apathy on the patient's quality of life (QoL) and caregiver's burden among PwD.
Methods: Sample of this cross-sectional descriptive study consisted of 88 PwD attending the outpatient clinic of a university hospital in Istanbul and their family caregivers.
Enhancing quality of life in individuals with cerebral palsy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of physiotherapy interventions.
Disabil Rehabil
January 2025
Graduate Program in Psychology, Federal University of Sergipe, São Cristóvão, Brazil.
Purpose: This systematic review examined studies that addressed physiotherapy intervention approaches to the Quality of Life (QoL) of people with Cerebral Palsy (CP).
Materials And Methods: We conducted a comprehensive search strategy in five databases (PEDro, PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar) until 12 February 2024. We assessed the included studies' methodological quality and statistical description using the PEDro scale.
Manipulation of WUSCHEL orthologue expression improves the forage yield and quality in Medicago.
Plant Biotechnol J
January 2025
The Key Laboratory of Plant Development and Environmental Adaptation Biology, Ministry of Education, Shandong Key Laboratory of Precision Molecular Crop Design and Breeding, School of Life Sciences, Shandong University, Qingdao, China.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!