Forgetting to take antiseizure medications is associated with focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures, as revealed by a cross-sectional study.
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ABSTRACT: Objectives
To evaluate the effects of nonadherence to antiseizure medications (ASMs) and clinical characteristics on seizure control, we employed a prospective cohort cross-sectional study using self-reports and medical records of patients with epilepsy (PWEs).Methods
Eight hundred and fifty-five PWEs taking ASMs were enrolled from fourteen collaborative outpatient clinics from January 2018 to March 2019. Questions from the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale were used as adherence self-reports. If a PWE's questionnaire indicated that they had missed doses of their ASMs, outpatient physicians asked them directly about the details of their compliance, including the timing of intentionally or unintentionally missed doses. The association between lack of seizure control and utilization outcomes, such as missed doses, demographics, and clinical characteristics of the PWEs, were assessed by univariate and multivariate analyses.Results
Multivariate analysis revealed that forgetting to take ASMs was associated with lack of seizure control and the existence of focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures. Dementia, younger age, use of three or more antiepileptic agents, and living in a one-person household were associated with the risk of forgetting to take ASMs.Significance
For PWEs with poor drug management or a high incidence of missed doses of ASMs, efforts to improve adherence could facilitate better seizure control and decrease focal to bilateral tonic-clonic propagation.
SUBMITTER: Suzuki H
PROVIDER: S-EPMC7529199 | biostudies-literature | 2020
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Forgetting to take antiseizure medications is associated with focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures, as revealed by a cross-sectional study.
Suzuki Hime H Mikuni Nobuhiro N Ohnishi Hirofumi H Yokoyama Rintaro R Enatsu Rei R Ochi Satoko S
PloS one 20201001 10
<h4>Objectives</h4>To evaluate the effects of nonadherence to antiseizure medications (ASMs) and clinical characteristics on seizure control, we employed a prospective cohort cross-sectional study using self-reports and medical records of patients with epilepsy (PWEs).<h4>Methods</h4>Eight hundred and fifty-five PWEs taking ASMs were enrolled from fourteen collaborative outpatient clinics from January 2018 to March 2019. Questions from the Morisky Medication Adherence Scale were used as adherenc ...[more]
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