Abstracts

Rationale: Recognition and evaluation of current treatment as well as adherence and quality of life measures are important factors for a successful treatment with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). The purpose of this study was to evaluate the patients' perception of adherence of the current medication with AEDs and quality of life. Methods: Prospective data from an anonymous questionnaire answered by patients admitted to the National Center for Epilepsy, Norway in 2014 were used. Data regarding current AED medication and dosage, adherence, adverse effects in the Adverse Event Profile(AEP), symptoms for depression (Beck Depression Inventory/BDI) and quality of life (VAS) were collected. For further analysis an AEP score >44 was used as a cut-off to label patients with a severe adverse effect load, and patients with a BDI-score >16 were considered to have relevant symptoms for depression. Quality of life was measured by a visual analogue scale (VAS), ranging from 0-10, with a cut off >5. Questions on adherence regarded intentional and accidental non-adherence ranged as never or occasionally/often. Results: Questionnaires from 86/99 patients were analysed. The patients' mean age was 34 years (range 18-58 years), 51 women/34 men,1 unkown. Age at seizure onset was 17 years (range 0-48 years). 50 of the patients used AED polytherapy (58%). The most commonly used AEDs were lamotrigine (n=31), valproate (n=22), levetiracetam (n=17) and oxcarbazepine (n=14). A total of 18 AEDs were registered. 17% of the patients were seizure free. 19 patients (24%) reported to intentionally take their medication differently as prescribed. 80% reported to forget medication occasionally. We found no statistical significant correlations between a severe adverse effect load, symptoms for depression, quality of life, the use of mono/polytherapy, reported seizure freedom, age or gender and non-adherence. Conclusions: 80 % of all patients treated with AED reported accidental non-adherence. 24% admitted to deliberately change medication intake without consulting their physician. Improved information and open communication about clinical use of AEDs may contribute to an improved treatment outcome. One may consider the use of questionnaires to screen for non-adherence.