Edward Faught1, Sandra Helmers2, David Thurman2, Hyunmi Kim3, Linda Kalilani4. 1. Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, 12 Executive Park Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA. Electronic address: rfaught@emory.edu. 2. Department of Neurology, Emory University School of Medicine, 12 Executive Park Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30329, USA. 3. Department of Pediatrics, Emory University School of Medicine, 2015 Uppergate Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. Electronic address: hyunmi.kim@emory.edu. 4. UCB Pharma, 8010 Arco Corporate Drive, Raleigh, NC 27617, USA. Electronic address: Linda.Kalilani@ucb.com.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine patient characteristics and antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment patterns in patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy in a United States (US) population followed for ≥180 days. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, Commercial, Supplemental Medicare, and Medicaid insurance claims from US-based Truven Health MarketScan® claims database were analyzed for incident epilepsy cases (index date: January 2010-June 2013; prior baseline of 2 years [1 year for ages 1 to <2 years; none for those <1 year]). Cases met epilepsy criteria consistent with the International League Against Epilepsy diagnostic guidelines, with continuous medical and pharmacy enrollment without an epilepsy or seizure diagnosis or AED prescription during baseline. Treatment was classified as monotherapy (one AED for ≥90 continuous days), polytherapy (at least two AEDs for ≥90 days), or untreated (no AED claims but other pharmacy or healthcare claims). Treatment pattern comparisons used matched cohorts across seizure types. RESULTS: Of 58,757 incident cases, 50,838 had a follow-up of ≥180 days. The median (range) follow-up duration was 529 (180-1096) days. Patient characteristics were similar across seizure types (matched focal vs. generalized epilepsy, N = 9949 each). At 6 and 12 months post-index, 46.8% and 52.2% of patients, respectively, had received AED treatment. Of 29,226 patients receiving treatment, 74.7% and 1.6% received monotherapy and polytherapy for ≥90 days, respectively, as first-line treatment; remaining patients received AED for <90 days and were excluded. The probability of remaining on initial treatment after 1 year was 61.0% for monotherapy and 36.5% for polytherapy. The most common first-line AEDs were levetiracetam (44.4%), phenytoin (6.5%), valproic acid (6.4%), lamotrigine (6.3%), oxcarbazepine (5.7%), topiramate (5.5%), and gabapentin (5.3%). CONCLUSION: Although the majority of treated patients received AED monotherapy consistent with guidelines, suboptimal rates of AED treatment and persistence of first-line treatment after initial epilepsy diagnosis suggest that efforts are needed to improve patient care.
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to determine patient characteristics and antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment patterns in patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy in a United States (US) population followed for ≥180 days. METHODS: In this retrospective cohort study, Commercial, Supplemental Medicare, and Medicaid insurance claims from US-based Truven Health MarketScan® claims database were analyzed for incident epilepsy cases (index date: January 2010-June 2013; prior baseline of 2 years [1 year for ages 1 to <2 years; none for those <1 year]). Cases met epilepsy criteria consistent with the International League Against Epilepsy diagnostic guidelines, with continuous medical and pharmacy enrollment without an epilepsy or seizure diagnosis or AED prescription during baseline. Treatment was classified as monotherapy (one AED for ≥90 continuous days), polytherapy (at least two AEDs for ≥90 days), or untreated (no AED claims but other pharmacy or healthcare claims). Treatment pattern comparisons used matched cohorts across seizure types. RESULTS: Of 58,757 incident cases, 50,838 had a follow-up of ≥180 days. The median (range) follow-up duration was 529 (180-1096) days. Patient characteristics were similar across seizure types (matched focal vs. generalized epilepsy, N = 9949 each). At 6 and 12 months post-index, 46.8% and 52.2% of patients, respectively, had received AED treatment. Of 29,226 patients receiving treatment, 74.7% and 1.6% received monotherapy and polytherapy for ≥90 days, respectively, as first-line treatment; remaining patients received AED for <90 days and were excluded. The probability of remaining on initial treatment after 1 year was 61.0% for monotherapy and 36.5% for polytherapy. The most common first-line AEDs were levetiracetam (44.4%), phenytoin (6.5%), valproic acid (6.4%), lamotrigine (6.3%), oxcarbazepine (5.7%), topiramate (5.5%), and gabapentin (5.3%). CONCLUSION: Although the majority of treated patients received AED monotherapy consistent with guidelines, suboptimal rates of AED treatment and persistence of first-line treatment after initial epilepsy diagnosis suggest that efforts are needed to improve patient care.
Authors: Brett E Youngerman; Evan F Joiner; Xianling Wang; Jingyan Yang; Mary R Welch; Guy M McKhann; Jason D Wright; Dawn L Hershman; Alfred I Neugut; Jeffrey N Bruce Journal: J Neurooncol Date: 2019-12-13 Impact factor: 4.130
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