Abstracts

To describe the characteristics and the outcome of a population of patients treated with levetiracetam in monotherapy through the analysis of the epilepsy patients database of two epilepsy Units., A retrospective analysis of the epilepsy patients database of two epilepsy Units (Hospital Josep Trueta and Hospital La Fe) was performed. In both centers, an epilepsy patients database is routinely filled during daily clinical practice. All the patients in whom levetiracetam was used in monotherapy up to December 2005, and received at least one dose of the drug in monotherapy were included. Monotherapy was achieved from onset, if levetiracetam was estimated to be the best option or after withdrawal of other concomitant antiepileptic drugs if an optimal seizure control was reached with levetiracetam. It was administered twice per day, with a schedule depending of the age and the renal function. The following data were analysed: demographic characteristics, follow-up, epilepsy type, previous seizure frequency, maintenance dose, efficacy and side effects., Sixty-two patients with a mean age of 53.67 years (range19-94) were included. The patients were followed a mean of 12.4 months (range 4-38). Epilepsy type was mainly partial (83.8%) and symptomatic (54.8%). The mean previous number of seizures was 8.6 and the mean maintenance dose was 1314.51 mg (250-2000). Fifty-eight patients (93%) were considered responders (more than a 50% reduction of seizures) with 70.9% of them free of seizures. Side effects were observed in 20 patients with one death considered not related to drug use. There were 9 (14.5%) withdrawals (5 because of side effects, 1 death and 3 non-responders)., Levetiracetam was used in monotherapy in a population relatively old. It proved to be efficient in 93% of the patients. Side effect were severe enough to discontinue levetiracetam in 8% of the patients.,