Interaction between vitamin D level, antiseizure medications (ASM) and seizure control in epilepsy adult patients.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate vitamin D levels and factors associated with seizure control in adult patients with epilepsy (APE). METHOD: Cross-sectional study with APE in routine outpatient follow-up at a neurology clinic. Clinical variables, antiseizure medications (ASM) and vitamin D were investigated. Data were analyzed using the Chi2 or Fisher's exact tests, Mann-Whitney, Spearman's correlation coefficient, ROC curve and univariate and multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Mean age was 46.5±15.1 years and disease duration was 27.5±17.0 years; 52.7% (n=49) of patients used one ASM and 47.3% (n=44) used≥2 ASM. There was a significant difference in the level of vitamin D according to the number of ASM and it was higher in patients who used a single ASM (26.02±10.22 versus 22.50±8.69; P=0.048). In the logistic regression, when vitamin D level was set at 20ng/mL, the chance of seizure control for patients using a single ASM was 6.99 times greater than for those using≥2 ASM. When vitamin D level was set at 40ng/mL, the number of ASM did not modify seizure control. There was no correlation between vitamin D and disease duration, patient age and age at the time of the first seizure. In the logistic regression, it was observed that satisfactory levels of vitamin D did not modify potential seizure control. CONCLUSION: Thirty-three percent (33%) of patients presented with vitamin D deficiency (values below 20ng/mL) and 80% had vitamin D levels below what is recommended (30ng/mL). The use of ASM, when associated with different levels of vitamin D, modified the probability of seizure control in APE. Vitamin D levels and intrinsic epilepsy factors are associated with failure to effectively control seizures.

A Comparative, Prospective and Randomized Evaluation of Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass With and Without the Silastic Ring: A 2-Year Follow Up Preliminary Report on Weight Loss and Quality of Life.

BACKGROUND: Currently, Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) is one of the most widely used bariatric surgeries. Banding the pouch forms a banded gastric bypass operation, an accepted and frequently used variant. Placing a silastic ring around the pouch to band the gastric bypass operation increases the restriction mechanism. However, the ubiquitous use of the banded gastric bypass remains controversial. One of the controversies is the effect of the silastic ring on patients' perception of their well being after surgery because of the frequency of vomiting. A prospective, blindly randomized, comparative trial was undertaken to resolve this controversy. METHOD: Four hundred subjects scheduled for gastric bypass surgery were randomized into two arms of the trial, 200 with a silastic ring (WR) and 200 without (NR). After 2-year follow-up, the variables associated with the scores of Bariatric Analysis and Reporting Outcome System (BAROS) were analyzed. RESULTS: The initial median weight (125 kg), BMI (47), and age (36 years) were the same in both the NR and WR groups. The median excess weight loss, weight regain, and incidence of vomiting were 71, 10.5, and 7.75%, respectively, in the NR group vs. 75.4 and 1.1, and 24.4% in the WR group. The mean QOL score was 79% in the NR group vs. 80% in the WR group. CONCLUSION: After 2-year follow-up, silastic ring placement in the RYGB resulted in greater weight loss and weight stability and a threefold greater incidence of vomiting. There was no difference in the scores in the quality of life analysis.