Abstracts

The collection of pragmatic data from multiple clinical settings offers an early opportunity to assess trends in the usage and acceptability of antiepileptic medication. Combined anonymous analysis of 9 locally performed clinical audits of the use of Levetiracetam. Data from 2 centres were taken from an intellectual disability population. Two other centres had intellectual disability patients included in their audits. One centre was a paediatric neurology centre and the remainder were from general adult populations. Data were extracted locally from the notes of all identified patients to ascertain retention and seizure change. A total of 744 patients (341 males and 367 females) were prescribed Levetiracetam in 9 UK treatment centres. Of these, 558 (75%) had partial epilepsy, 156 (21%) had generalised epilepsy and 30 (4%) could not be classified. Outcome data was available for treatment retention and seizure outcome. Follow up data was available on patients for up to 20 months. On average 76% of patients were retained per centre, this reflected a range between centres of 42%-100%. Seizure outcome was analysed on an intention-to-treat basis. 75 (10%) patients achieved seizure freedom, range between centres of 0-17%. 43% of patients, range between centres of 17-71%, showed seizure improvement. Remaining patients were defined as no change or deterioration in their seizure frequency. Multicentre audit offers a unique insight into clinical practice, though is hampered by variable data gathering. This study has shown that Levetiracetam is widely used on both partial and generalised seizures, is well tolerated and is associated with seizure improvement. The ranges seen between centres is likely to reflect the heterogeneous nature of the epilepsy population. (Supported by UCB Pharma-UK)