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Journal of Neurology Oct 2023To compare the efficacy and safety of antiseizure medications (ASMs), both as monotherapies and adjunctive therapies, for idiopathic generalized epilepsies (IGEs) and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVES
To compare the efficacy and safety of antiseizure medications (ASMs), both as monotherapies and adjunctive therapies, for idiopathic generalized epilepsies (IGEs) and related entities.
METHODS
Two reviewers independently searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library for relevant randomized controlled trials from December 2022 to February 2023. Studies on the efficacy and safety of ASM monotherapies or adjunctive therapies for IGEs and related entities-including juvenile myoclonic epilepsy, childhood absence epilepsy (CAE), juvenile absence epilepsy, or generalized tonic-clonic seizures alone (GTCA)-were included. Efficacy outcomes were the proportions of patients remaining seizure free for 1, 3, 6, and 12 months; safety outcomes were the proportions of any treatment-emergent adverse event (TEAE) and TEAEs leading to discontinuation. Network meta-analyses were performed in a random-effects model to obtain odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Rankings of ASMs were based on the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA). This study is registered with PROSPERO (No. CRD42022372358).
RESULTS
Twenty-eight randomized controlled trials containing 4282 patients were included. As monotherapies, all ASMs were more effective than placebo, and valproate and ethosuximide were significantly better than lamotrigine. According to the SUCRA for efficacy, ethosuximide ranked first for CAE, whereas valproate ranked first for other types of IGEs. As adjunctive therapies, topiramate ranked best for GTCA as well as overall for IGEs, while levetiracetam ranked best for myoclonic seizures. For safety, perampanel ranked best (measured by any TEAE).
CONCLUSIONS
All of the studied ASMs were more effective than placebo. Valproate monotherapy ranked best overall for IGEs, whereas ethosuximide ranked best for CAE. Adjunctive topiramate and levetiracetam were most effective for GTCA and myoclonic seizures, respectively. Furthermore, perampanel had the best tolerability.
Topics: Humans; Child; Valproic Acid; Topiramate; Network Meta-Analysis; Levetiracetam; Ethosuximide; Anticonvulsants; Epilepsy, Generalized; Seizures; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
PubMed: 37378757
DOI: 10.1007/s00415-023-11834-8 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Aug 2023Prenatal exposure to certain anti-seizure medications (ASMs) is associated with an increased risk of major congenital malformations (MCM). The majority of women with... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Prenatal exposure to certain anti-seizure medications (ASMs) is associated with an increased risk of major congenital malformations (MCM). The majority of women with epilepsy continue taking ASMs throughout pregnancy and, therefore, information on the potential risks associated with ASM treatment is required.
OBJECTIVES
To assess the effects of prenatal exposure to ASMs on the prevalence of MCM in the child.
SEARCH METHODS
For the latest update of this review, we searched the following databases on 17 February 2022: Cochrane Register of Studies (CRS Web), MEDLINE (Ovid, 1946 to February 16, 2022), SCOPUS (1823 onwards), and ClinicalTrials.gov, WHO International Clinical Trials Registry Platform (ICTRP). No language restrictions were imposed.
SELECTION CRITERIA
We included prospective cohort controlled studies, cohort studies set within pregnancy registries, randomised controlled trials and epidemiological studies using routine health record data. Participants were women with epilepsy taking ASMs; the two control groups were women without epilepsy and untreated women with epilepsy.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Five authors independently selected studies for inclusion. Eight authors completed data extraction and/or risk of bias assessments. The primary outcome was the presence of an MCM. Secondary outcomes included specific types of MCM. Where meta-analysis was not possible, we reviewed included studies narratively.
MAIN RESULTS
From 12,296 abstracts, we reviewed 283 full-text publications which identified 49 studies with 128 publications between them. Data from ASM-exposed pregnancies were more numerous for prospective cohort studies (n = 17,963), than data currently available for epidemiological health record studies (n = 7913). The MCM risk for children of women without epilepsy was 2.1% (95% CI 1.5 to 3.0) in cohort studies and 3.3% (95% CI 1.5 to 7.1) in health record studies. The known risk associated with sodium valproate exposure was clear across comparisons with a pooled prevalence of 9.8% (95% CI 8.1 to 11.9) from cohort data and 9.7% (95% CI 7.1 to 13.4) from routine health record studies. This was elevated across almost all comparisons to other monotherapy ASMs, with the absolute risk differences ranging from 5% to 9%. Multiple studies found that the MCM risk is dose-dependent. Children exposed to carbamazepine had an increased MCM prevalence in both cohort studies (4.7%, 95% CI 3.7 to 5.9) and routine health record studies (4.0%, 95% CI 2.9 to 5.4) which was significantly higher than that for the children born to women without epilepsy for both cohort (RR 2.30, 95% CI 1.47 to 3.59) and routine health record studies (RR 1.14, 95% CI 0.80 to 1.64); with similar significant results in comparison to the children of women with untreated epilepsy for both cohort studies (RR 1.44, 95% CI 1.05 to 1.96) and routine health record studies (RR 1.42, 95% CI 1.10 to 1.83). For phenobarbital exposure, the prevalence was 6.3% (95% CI 4.8 to 8.3) and 8.8% (95% CI 0.0 to 9277.0) from cohort and routine health record data, respectively. This increased risk was significant in comparison to the children of women without epilepsy (RR 3.22, 95% CI 1.84 to 5.65) and those born to women with untreated epilepsy (RR 1.64, 95% CI 0.94 to 2.83) in cohort studies; data from routine health record studies was limited. For phenytoin exposure, the prevalence of MCM was elevated for cohort study data (5.4%, 95% CI 3.6 to 8.1) and routine health record data (6.8%, 95% CI 0.1 to 701.2). The prevalence of MCM was higher for phenytoin-exposed children in comparison to children of women without epilepsy (RR 3.81, 95% CI 1.91 to 7.57) and the children of women with untreated epilepsy (RR 2.01. 95% CI 1.29 to 3.12); there were no data from routine health record studies. Pooled data from cohort studies indicated a significantly increased MCM risk for children exposed to lamotrigine in comparison to children born to women without epilepsy (RR 1.99, 95% CI 1.16 to 3.39); with a risk difference (RD) indicating a 1% increased risk of MCM (RD 0.01. 95% CI 0.00 to 0.03). This was not replicated in the comparison to the children of women with untreated epilepsy (RR 1.04, 95% CI 0.66 to 1.63), which contained the largest group of lamotrigine-exposed children (> 2700). Further, a non-significant difference was also found both in comparison to the children of women without epilepsy (RR 1.19, 95% CI 0.86 to 1.64) and children born to women with untreated epilepsy (RR 1.00, 95% CI 0.79 to 1.28) from routine data studies. For levetiracetam exposure, pooled data provided similar risk ratios to women without epilepsy in cohort (RR 2.20, 95% CI 0.98 to 4.93) and routine health record studies (RR 0.67, 95% CI 0.17 to 2.66). This was supported by the pooled results from both cohort (RR 0.71, 95% CI 0.39 to 1.28) and routine health record studies (RR 0.82, 95% CI 0.39 to 1.71) when comparisons were made to the offspring of women with untreated epilepsy. For topiramate, the prevalence of MCM was 3.9% (95% CI 2.3 to 6.5) from cohort study data and 4.1% (0.0 to 27,050.1) from routine health record studies. Risk ratios were significantly higher for children exposed to topiramate in comparison to the children of women without epilepsy in cohort studies (RR 4.07, 95% CI 1.64 to 10.14) but not in a smaller comparison to the children of women with untreated epilepsy (RR 1.37, 95% CI 0.57 to 3.27); few data are currently available from routine health record studies. Exposure in utero to topiramate was also associated with significantly higher RRs in comparison to other ASMs for oro-facial clefts. Data for all other ASMs were extremely limited. Given the observational designs, all studies were at high risk of certain biases, but the biases observed across primary data collection studies and secondary use of routine health records were different and were, in part, complementary. Biases were balanced across the ASMs investigated, and it is unlikely that the differential results observed across the ASMs are solely explained by these biases.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
Exposure in the womb to certain ASMs was associated with an increased risk of certain MCMs which, for many, is dose-dependent.
Topics: Pregnancy; Child; Female; Humans; Male; Prospective Studies; Topiramate; Lamotrigine; Phenytoin; Cohort Studies; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects; Epilepsy
PubMed: 37647086
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010224.pub3 -
Drugs Oct 2023Dravet syndrome (DS) is a severe developmental and epileptic encephalopathy characterized by drug-resistant, lifelong seizures. The management of seizures in DS has... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Dravet syndrome (DS) is a severe developmental and epileptic encephalopathy characterized by drug-resistant, lifelong seizures. The management of seizures in DS has changed in recent years with the approval of new antiseizure medications (ASMs).
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to estimate the comparative efficacy and tolerability of the ASMs for the treatment of seizures associated with DS using a network meta-analysis (NMA).
METHODS
Studies were identified by conducting a systematic search (week 4, January 2023) of the MEDLINE (accessed by PubMed), EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and US National Institutes of Health Clinical Trials Registry ( http://www.
CLINICALTRIALS
gov ) databases. Any randomized, controlled, double- or single-blinded, parallel-group study comparing at least one ASM therapy against placebo, another ASM, or a different dose of the same ASM in participants with a diagnosis of DS was identified. The efficacy outcomes were the proportions of participants with ≥ 50% (seizure response) and 100% reduction (seizure freedom) in baseline convulsive seizure frequency during the maintenance period. The tolerability outcomes included the proportions of patients who withdrew from treatment for any reason and who experienced at least one adverse event (AE). Effect sizes were estimated by network meta-analyses within a frequentist framework.
RESULTS
Eight placebo-controlled trials were included, and the active add-on treatments were stiripentol (n = 2), pharmaceutical-grade cannabidiol (n = 3), fenfluramine hydrochloride (n = 2), and soticlestat (n = 1). The studies recruited 680 participants, of whom 409 were randomized to active treatments (stiripentol = 33, pharmaceutical-grade cannabidiol = 228, fenfluramine hydrochloride = 122, and soticlestat = 26) and 271 to placebo. Pharmaceutical-grade cannabidiol was associated with a lower rate of seizure response than fenfluramine hydrochloride (odds ratio [OR] 0.20, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.07-0.54), and stiripentol was associated with a higher seizure response rate than pharmaceutical-grade cannabidiol (OR 14.07, 95% CI 2.57-76.87). No statistically significant differences emerged across the different ASMs for the seizure freedom outcome. Stiripentol was associated with a lower probability of drug discontinuation for any reason than pharmaceutical-grade cannabidiol (OR 0.45, 95% CI 0.04-5.69), and pharmaceutical-grade cannabidiol was associated with a lower proportion of participants experiencing any AE than fenfluramine hydrochloride (OR 0.22, 95% CI 0.06-0.78). Stiripentol had a higher risk of AE occurrence than pharmaceutical-grade cannabidiol (OR 75.72, 95% CI 3.59-1598.58). The study found high-quality evidence of efficacy and tolerability of the four ASMs in the treatment of convulsive seizures in DS.
CONCLUSIONS
There exists first-class evidence that documents the efficacy and tolerability of stiripentol, pharmaceutical-grade cannabidiol, fenfluramine hydrochloride, and soticlestat for the treatment of seizures associated with DS, and allows discussion about the expected outcomes regarding seizure frequency reduction and tolerability profiles.
Topics: Humans; Anticonvulsants; Cannabidiol; Network Meta-Analysis; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Seizures; Epilepsies, Myoclonic; Fenfluramine; Pharmaceutical Preparations
PubMed: 37695433
DOI: 10.1007/s40265-023-01936-y -
European Stroke Journal Dec 2023Migraine is a common, disabling chronic pain condition possibly related to changes in endothelial and vascular structure and function. Several observational studies have... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
INTRODUCTION
Migraine is a common, disabling chronic pain condition possibly related to changes in endothelial and vascular structure and function. Several observational studies have suggested an elevated risk of cervical artery dissection (CeAD) in patients with a history of migraine. We aimed to investigate this potential association using systematic review and meta-analytic methods.
PATIENTS AND METHODS
We utilized a pre-defined search protocol to identify and screen studies related to migraine and CeAD in PubMed, Embase, and the Web of Science Core Collection. We assessed the risk of bias and performed a meta-analysis of selected studies to assess the association between migraine and CeAD. We also performed subgroup analyses by migraine subtype, biological sex, and the use of stroke versus non-stroke controls.
RESULTS
We identified 11 studies ( = 9857 patients) for inclusion in the meta-analysis. Meta-analysis showed an association between migraine and CeAD with an odds ratio of 1.74 (95%CI 1.38-2.19). There was high heterogeneity among the included studies ( = 61%). Publication bias was present but the Trim-Fill imputation suggested that the impact on results was likely minimal. Subgroup analyses revealed an association between migraine without aura and CeAD (OR 1.86, 95%CI 1.55-2.24) but not migraine with aura and CeAD (OR 1.15, 95%CI 0.71-1.88). There was no difference in the association between migraine and CeAD in men compared to women.
DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
A history of migraine is associated with an increased risk of CeAD. Further studies are needed to elucidate the potential pathophysiologic mechanisms underlying this association.
Topics: Male; Humans; Female; Risk Factors; Stroke; Migraine Disorders; Aortic Dissection; Arteries
PubMed: 37555306
DOI: 10.1177/23969873231191860 -
European Review For Medical and... Jul 2023The aim of the study was to summarize the findings of the studies documenting the efficacy and safety of perampanel when used in children/adolescents or adults, either... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to summarize the findings of the studies documenting the efficacy and safety of perampanel when used in children/adolescents or adults, either as add-on therapy or as monotherapy.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A systematic search was conducted using PubMed, EMBASE and Scopus. Only studies with a cohort-based approach (either prospective or retrospective) were included. We were interested in real-world studies and therefore, studies with a highly regulated environment, such as randomized controlled trials, were excluded. The primary outcomes of interest were retention rates, response rates and seizure-free rates. Random effects model was used for the analysis. Effect sizes were reported as pooled prevalence along with 95% confidence intervals.
RESULTS
A total of 34 studies were included. The retention rates, within 24 months from initiation of treatment as an add-on therapy, ranged between 65% to 77% among children and adolescents. For adults, the retention rate varied between 56 to 77% within 24 months from initiation of treatment. The response rate was around 70% in children/adolescents and 52% in adults at 24 months of follow-up. Around 25% of children and adolescents and 37% of adults were seizure-free at 24 months follow-up period. The proportion of children/adolescents and adults reporting any treatment-related adverse effects was 29% and 41%, respectively. The commonly reported adverse effects were dizziness/drowsiness, somnolence, behavioral problems (irritability, aggression, anxiety, mood changes), postural instability/gait problems, fatigue and weight gain.
CONCLUSIONS
Perampanel might be an effective anti-epileptic drug in both children/adolescents and adults when used as an adjunct therapy. More data is required to comment on its use as monotherapy. Careful monitoring for psychiatric problems and behavioral disturbances is required, both prior to initiating treatment as well as during the course of management. Studies with long-term follow-up may are needed to confirm the findings of this meta-analysis.
Topics: Adult; Child; Adolescent; Humans; Anticonvulsants; Epilepsies, Partial; Retrospective Studies; Prospective Studies; Epilepsy; Nitriles; Treatment Outcome
PubMed: 37458642
DOI: 10.26355/eurrev_202307_32957 -
Journal of Clinical Medicine Sep 2023Long-term medication with valproic acid has been associated with acute pancreatitis. The purpose of this report is to gain insight into the features of this... (Review)
Review
Long-term medication with valproic acid has been associated with acute pancreatitis. The purpose of this report is to gain insight into the features of this pancreatitis. A preregistered literature search (CRD42023438294) was performed on the National Library of Medicine, Excerpta Medica, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Patients with alcohol abuse disorder, gallstone disease, hypertriglyceridemia or hypercalcemia, patients with acute valproic acid intoxication, and patients with a pre-existing pancreatitis were excluded. For the final analysis, we retained 73 reports published between 1979 and 2023, which described 125 subjects (83 children and 42 adults predominantly affected by an epilepsy) with an acute pancreatitis related to valproic acid. The diagnosis was made 11 (3.0-24) months (median and interquartile range) after starting valproic acid. One hundred and five cases (84%) recovered and twenty (16%) died. Sex, age, dosage or circulating level of valproic acid, latency time, prevalence of intellectual disability, and antiepileptic co-medication were similar in cases with and without a lethal outcome. Nineteen subjects were rechallenged with valproic acid after recovery: sixteen (84%) cases developed a further episode of pancreatitis. In conclusion, pancreatitis associated with valproic acid presents at any time during treatment and has a high fatality rate.
PubMed: 37762984
DOI: 10.3390/jcm12186044 -
The Journal of International Medical... Nov 2023Due to variability in reports, the aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of post-stroke early seizures (ES) and post-stroke epilepsy... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
OBJECTIVE
Due to variability in reports, the aim of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the incidence and risk factors of post-stroke early seizures (ES) and post-stroke epilepsy (PSE).
METHODS
The MEDLINE, EMBASE and Web of Science databases were searched for post-stroke ES/PSE articles published on any date up to November 2020. Post-stroke ES included seizures occurring within 7 days of stroke, and PSE included at least one unprovoked seizure. Using random effects models, the incidence and risk factors of post-stroke ES and PSE were evaluated. The study was retrospectively registered with INPLASY (INPLASY2023100008).
RESULTS
Of 128 included studies in total, the incidence of post-stroke ES was 0.07 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.05, 0.10) and PSE was 0.10 (95% CI 0.08, 0.13). The rates were higher in children than adults. Risk factors for post-stroke ES included hemorrhagic stroke (odds ratio [OR] 2.14, 95% CI 1.44, 3.18), severe strokes (OR 2.68, 95% CI 1.73, 4.14), cortical involvement (OR 3.09, 95% CI 2.11, 4.51) and hemorrhagic transformation (OR 2.70, 95% CI 1.58, 4.60). Risk factors for PSE included severe strokes (OR 4.92, 95% CI 3.43, 7.06), cortical involvement (OR 3.20, 95% CI 2.13, 4.81), anterior circulation infarcts (OR 3.28, 95% CI 1.34, 8.03), hemorrhagic transformation (OR 2.81, 95% CI 1.25, 6.30) and post-stroke ES (OR 7.24, 95% CI 3.73, 14.06).
CONCLUSION
Understanding the risk factors of post-stroke ES/PSE may identify high-risk individuals who might benefit from prophylactic treatment.
Topics: Adult; Child; Humans; Incidence; Seizures; Stroke; Epilepsy; Risk Factors
PubMed: 38008901
DOI: 10.1177/03000605231213231 -
The Journal of Maternal-fetal &... Dec 2024Although early evidence shows that epilepsy can increase the risks of adverse pregnancy, some outcomes are still debatable. We performed a systematic review and... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis Review
OBJECTIVE
Although early evidence shows that epilepsy can increase the risks of adverse pregnancy, some outcomes are still debatable. We performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to explore the effects of maternal and fetal adverse outcomes in pregnant women with epilepsy.
METHODS
PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, and Web of Science were employed to collect studies that investigated the potential risk of obstetric complications during the antenatal, intrapartum, or postnatal period, as well as any neonatal complications. The search was conducted from inception to November 16, 2022. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) was used to assess the quality of the included original studies. The odds ratio (OR) values were extracted after adjusting for confounders to measure the relationship between pregnant women with epilepsy and adverse maternal or fetal outcomes. The protocol for this systematic review is registered with PROSPERO ID CRD42023391539.
RESULTS
Of 35 articles identified, there were 142,577 mothers with epilepsy and 34,381,373 mothers without epilepsy. Our study revealed a significant association between pregnant women with epilepsy (PWWE) and the incidence of cesarean section, preeclampsia/eclampsia, gestational hypertension, induction of labor, gestational diabetes and postpartum hemorrhage compared with those without epilepsy. Regarding newborns outcomes, PWWE versus those without epilepsy had increased odds of preterm birth, small for gestational age, low birth weight (<2500 g), and congenital malformations, fetal distress. The odds of operative vaginal delivery, newborn mortality, and Apgar (≤ 7) were similar between PWWE and healthy women.
CONCLUSION
Pregnant women affected by epilepsy encounter a higher risk of adverse obstetric outcomes and fetal complications. Therefore, it is crucial to develop appropriate prevention and intervention strategies prior to or during pregnancy to minimize the negative impacts of epilepsy on maternal and fetal health.
Topics: Humans; Pregnancy; Female; Epilepsy; Pregnancy Complications; Pregnancy Outcome; Infant, Newborn
PubMed: 38735863
DOI: 10.1080/14767058.2024.2351196 -
Therapeutic Advances in Neurological... 2023Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic brain diseases. Almost one-third of patients have drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). Cannabidiol is being considered as a... (Review)
Review
BACKGROUND
Epilepsy is one of the most common chronic brain diseases. Almost one-third of patients have drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). Cannabidiol is being considered as a potential novel drug for treating DRE.
OBJECTIVES
To investigate long-term efficacy and safety of cannabidiol in treatment of DRE and the differences in cannabidiol treatment among patients with different characteristics.
DESIGN
Systematic review and meta-analysis.
DATA SOURCES AND METHODS
Medline, Embase, and CENTRAL were searched for literature. RevMan5.4 was used for meta-analysis. The Intention-to-treat set and the random effect were used as the main analysis. Subgroup analyses were performed according to age, dose, concomitant antiseizure medications (ASMs), epilepsy syndromes, and study designs.
RESULTS
Fifty studies were included in this systematic review. A total of 4791 participants were collected. The responder rates (seizure frequency reduced at least 50%) at 12-, 24-, 48-, 72-, 96-, and 144-week were 0.40 [0.36, 0.45], 0.39 [0.34, 0.44], 0.37 [0.30, 0.44], 0.27 [0.17, 0.37], 0.22 [0.14, 0.30], and 0.38 [0.23, 0.53]. Seizure-free rates were 0.04 [0.03, 0.06], 0.04 [0.03, 0.05], 0.03 [0.02, 0.05], 0.03 [0.02, 0.03], 0.02 [0.01, 0.03], and 0.04 [0.01, 0.06]. Proportion of adverse events were 0.72 [0.61, 0.83], 0.62 [0.42, 0.81], 0.60 [0.41, 0.79], 0.35 [0.14, 0.56], 0.83 [0.75, 0.90], and 0.96 [0.94, 0.99]. The pooled 12-, 24-, 48-, 96-, and 144-week proportion of serious adverse events were 0.15 [0.09, 0.21], 0.23 [0.14, 0.31], 0.10 [0.06, 0.15], 0.31 [0.24, 0.38], and 0.40 [0.35, 0.45]. Subgroup analyses showed that there was no significant difference on efficacy and safety among age subgroups and epilepsy syndromes subgroups. For most periods, there were no significant difference on efficacy among subgroups of dose and concomitant ASMs. However, higher doses and more concomitant ASMs were associated with higher proportion of adverse events.
CONCLUSION
Cannabidiol treatment of DRE has stable efficacy and fewer adverse events in early period. Long-term use may have decreased efficacy and increased adverse events. Dose escalation may not increase efficacy, but may increase adverse events. Furthermore, cannabidiol use may reduce dosage of other ASMs without reducing efficacy, thereby reducing adverse effects. Cannabidiol may have similar effects in various epilepsy syndromes.
TRIAL REGISTRATION
PROSPERO (CRD42022351250).
PubMed: 37915501
DOI: 10.1177/17562864231207755 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2023Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases, affecting people of any age. Although the treatments of epilepsy are more and more diverse, the uncertainty...
BACKGROUND
Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological diseases, affecting people of any age. Although the treatments of epilepsy are more and more diverse, the uncertainty regarding efficacy and adverse events still exists, especially in the control of childhood epilepsy.
METHODS
We performed a systematic review and meta- analysis following the Cochrane Handbook and preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Four databases including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane library were searched. Studies reporting the use of brivaracetam monotherapy or adjuvant therapy in children (aged ≤18 years) were eligible for inclusion. Each stage of the review was conducted by two authors independently. Random-effects models were used to combine effect sizes for the estimation of efficacy and safety.
RESULTS
A total of 1884 articles were retrieved, and finally 9 articles were included, enrolling 503 children with epilepsy. The retention rate of BRV treatment was 78% (95% CI: 0.64-0.91), the responder rate (reduction of seizure frequency ≥ 50%) was 35% (95% CI: 0.24-0.47), the freedom seizure rate (no seizure) was 18% (95% CI: 0.10-0.25), and the incidence rate of any treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAE) was 39% (95% CI: 0.09-0.68). The most common TEAE was somnolence, which had an incidence rate of 9% (95% CI: 0.07-0.12). And the incidence rate of mental or behavioral disorders was 12% (95% CI: 0.06-0.17).
CONCLUSION
Our systematic review and meta-analysis showed that BRV seemed to be safe and effective in the treatment of childhood epilepsy.
PubMed: 37483441
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2023.1170780