[Results of monotherapy in mild and drug-resistant forms of epilepsy]. / Wyniki monoterapii w lagodnych i lekoopornych formach padaczek.

Monotherapy with one drug chosen out of basic anti-epileptic agents was carried out in 312 patients, including 2/3 of cases resistant to the drugs. Group A consisted of 110 patients treated with a single drug since the onset of the disease whereas group B consisted of 202 patients in whom polytherapy was reduced to monotherapy. The best results were achieved in patients of group A with short and medium duration of the disease. The results noted in patients of group B were worse and independent of the duration of epilepsy. The most favourable effects were noted in children with mild epilepsy and generalized epilepsy of unknown post-traumatic etiology. The results of monotherapy in focal seizures and epilepsy with organic lesions were markedly worse. The most effective drugs in this population were: barbiturates, valproic acid derivatives, and carbamazepine. The authors stress that all forms of epilepsy, especially newly diagnosed and previously untreated cases, should be treated with single agent.

[Relationship between blood serum luminal and diphenylhydantoin level and the results of treatment and other clinical data in drug-resistant epilepsy]. / Stosunek miedzy poziomem luminalu i dwufenylhydantoiny u chorych z lekooporna padaczka a wynikami leczenia i innymi danymi klinicznymi.

The authors report a statistical analysis of the levels of phenobarbital (PH) and diphenylhydantoin (DPH) in a group of 100 patients with different types of epilepsy mostly resistant to pharmacological treatment. The mean values of PH and DPH were compared with the types of epilepsy, duration of the disease, additional treatment, EEG changes and therapeutic results. The following conclusions have been reached: a) therapeutic ranges of the PH and DPH levels in this group of patients were greater than those reported by others. b) no significant correlation is found between the levels of these drugs and the type of epilepsy, disease duration and EEG changes, with the exception of a positive correlation with PH level. c) Clonazepam, diazepam and mysodin raised the serum PH level in the serum, while only amizepine raised the DPH level. d) higher levels of PH and DPH were found in patients with poor therapeutic results.