Assessment of levetiracetam and valproic acid as monotherapy for quality of life in partial epilepsy patients

ABSTRACT

Background: Quality of life (QOL) is important in patients of epilepsy as it is affected both by disease as well as therapy. QOL is the most overlooked component of antiepileptic treatment.Methods: An observational analytical study was conducted in the Department of Pharmacology in collaboration with Department of Neurology of Himalayan Institute of Medical Science, Dehradun over 12 months. 80 patients satisfying inclusion criteria were enrolled and divided into two groups based on physician discretion and followed up for 12 weeks. Patients were evaluated at 0 and 12 weeks for quality of life using QOLIE-10 self-administered questionnaire, they were also assessed for seizure control and drug related adverse effects.Results: 60 patients were enrolled and divided into two treatment groups as per physician discretion, levetiracetam (30) and valproic acid (30) groups. Study groups showed significant improvement in QOL (mean change in QOL17.95�527 for LEV and 11.56�540 for VPA). Levetiracetam (LEV) group showed significant improvement over valproic acid (VPA) group (p=0.05) at 12 weeks. Patients who achieved total seizure control at 6 weeks were 93.33% patients in levetiracetam and 90% in valproic acid group, reason being non adherence which was 6.67% and 10% respectively. Adverse event recorded with levetiracetam (03), most common being drowsiness and with valproic acid (08), with most common being anorexia.Conclusions: Levetiracetam therapy has led to better quality of life and has the same seizure control as valproic acid, and has shown to have lower incidence of adverse effect.