Abstracts

Valproate or levetiracetam for Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy?

Abstract number : 2.259
Submission category : 7. Anti-seizure Medications / 7E. Other
Year : 2022
Submission ID : 2204497
Source : www.aesnet.org
Presentation date : 12/4/2022 12:00:00 PM
Published date : Nov 22, 2022, 05:25 AM

Authors :
Maria Mazurkiewicz-Bełdzińska, MD PhD – Medical University of Gdańsk; Barbara Steinborn, MD PhD – Pediatric Neurology – Poznań Medical University; Anna Winczewska-Wiktor, MD – Pediatric Neurology – Poznań Medical University; Marta Zawadzka, MD PhD – Developmenta Neurology – Medical University of Gdańsk

Rationale: In order to estimate and compare the long-term effectiveness of levetiracetam (LEV) versus valproate (VPA) monotherapy in treatment of newly diagnosed juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME)the following study was performed.

Methods: A total of 178 patients with JME diagnosed and treated at Department of Developmental Neurology Medical University of Gdańsk, Poland and Pediatric Neurology Department Medical University of Poznań, Poland were followed prospectively. Mean age of the patients was 12.4. There were 98 females vs. 80 males. In order to estimate retention rates and factors predicting successful treatment with VPA and LEV, we used Kaplan-Meier analysis and Gehan tests.

Results: The mean time of treatment was 68 months. Data analysis showed signifficantly longer retention rates with VPA vs. LEV. After 12 months of therapy, 68% stayed on LEV vs. 93% on VPA; after 24 months of therapy, 51% vs. 89%, respectively; and after 48 months, 49% vs. 77%, respectively. The shorter duration of LEV treatment was due to lack of efficacy.

Conclusions: Our results show the superiority of VPA vs. LEV treatment in JME. Woman of chilbearing potential should be counseled regularly regarding the relative risk and benefits of valproate.

Funding: None
Anti-seizure Medications