COMPLIANCE AND TREATMENT SATISFACTION WITH SUSTAINED RELEASE FORMULATION OF VALPROATE IN PATIENTS WITH EPILEPSY IN CHINA
Abstract number :
1.283
Submission category :
Year :
2003
Submission ID :
1800
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/6/2003 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Dec 1, 2003, 06:00 AM
Authors :
Shanlian Hu, Li Yang, Gus A. Baker School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; School of Public Health, Fudan University, Shanghai, China; Neurological Sciences, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom
To assess compliance and treatment preference in patients with epilepsy, already established on valproate enteric coated (VPA-EC) regimen (b.i.d or t.i.d) compared with the same total daily dose of valproate sustained release (VPA-SR) (o.d or b.i.d).
A Prospective, observational, multi-centre study was conducted. Patients were switched to VPA-SR at baseline (M0). Clinical parameters and a self-completed questionnaire about the compliance and satisfaction were assessed at (M0) and after 3 months (M3). Chi square test analysis was used for categorical and the paired T-test for continuous variables.
130 patients from China fulfilled the inclusion criteria (aged 18-70 years). The switch to VPA-SR resulted in a significant increase in the number of respondents reporting being seizure free [13% at M0 to 37% at M3]. Fewer adverse events were reported [mean AEP scores - 33 at M0 to 30 at M3]. The most significant changes on the adverse event profile were associated with reduced levels of tiredness, difficulties in concentrating and memory problems. Reported compliance improved from 42% of patients who said that they never forget to take their medication at M0 to 74% at M3, this difference being statistically significant. Despite a reasonably high M0 level of satisfaction, a further significant increase was observed in this study regarding life style and patient preference.
VPA-SR appears to improve compliance, seizure freedom and patient satisfaction and it is associated with a lower frequency of reported adverse events in comparison to VPA-EC.
[Supported by: Sanofi-synthelabo]