Changes in frequency of seizure after acute antiepileptic drugs withdrawal

This study was performed to evaluate the effects of acute withdrawal of antiepileptic drugs in epileptic patients during continuous BEG monitoring. One hundred sixty-five withdrawals in 134 patients who were candidates for epileptic surgery were included for this study. Clinical features and frequency of seizure were observed after drug withdrawal with daily monitoring of serum drug level. The phases after withdrawal of antiepileptics were divided into phase of therapeutic drug level, phase of falling drug level, and phase of subtherapeutic or undetectable(zero) drug level. There were significant increase in frequency of seizure and seizure of secondary generalization after acute withdrawal of antiepileptic drugs. Number of seizure during the period of drugs withdrawals was not correlated with onset age of epilepsy, duration of epilepsy, duration of medication, and number of administrated antiepiteptic drugs. The number of frequency of seizure before drug withdrawal was correlated with the number of frequency of withdrawal seizure. The number of seizure frequency after carbamazepine withdrawal was significantly higher during the phase of subtherapeutic or zero drug level, and not during phase of rapid falling antiepileptic drug level.

Knowledge and attitude toward epilepsy in some Taegu-kyungbook residents

The previous studies had shown that our society had stigma about epilepsy. These studies were not enough to establish practical and concrete educational program for the general population. This study was carried out to evaluate the knowledge of and attitude toward epilepsy in general population. The subjects consist of the population of 1722 apparently healthy persons who reside in Taegu city and Kyungpook province. The questionnaire consists of 39 items concerning knowledge of epilepsy and 20 items of attitude toward epilepsy and epileptic patients. Seventy percent of respondents answered that epileptics have grand mal seizure as their unique type of seizure. Sixty-eight percent were not confident of drug therapy for epilepsy, and 53% considered that epilepsy is a genetic disorder. The score of negative attitude toward car driving and marriage in epileptics was high. The score of knowledge of epilepsy and of attitude toward epilepsy and epileptics show a significant correlation with age and level of education. Although the group of public servant, teacher and professor had relatively high score in knowledge of epilepsy, they had much more negative attitude toward driving and marriage of epileptics. The group of nurse-teacher had higher knowledge and much more affirmative attitude. It is suggested that an educational program to epilepsy should have special emphasis on the etiology, type of epilepsy and efficacy of medical treatment in epilepsy.