F Brigo1, S Lattanzi2, J Zelano3, N L Bragazzi4, V Belcastro5, R Nardone6, E Trinka7. 1. Department of Neurosciences, Biomedicine and Movement Sciences, University of Verona, Verona, Italy; Division of Neurology, "Franz Tappeiner" Hospital, Merano, Italy. Electronic address: dr.francescobrigo@gmail.com. 2. Neurological Clinic, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, Marche Polytechnic University, Ancona, Italy. 3. Sahlgrenska university hospital, Gothenburg Sweden; Sahlgrenska academy, Department of neuroscience and physiology, University of Gothenburg, Sweden. 4. Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), School of Public Health, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy. 5. Neurology Unit, S. Anna Hospital, Como, Italy. 6. Division of Neurology, "Franz Tappeiner" Hospital, Merano, Italy; Department of Neurology, Christian Doppler Klinik, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria. 7. Department of Neurology, Christian Doppler Klinik, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg, Austria; Center for Cognitive Neuroscience, Salzburg, Austria; Public Health, Health Services Research and HTA, University for Health Sciences, Medical Informatics and Technology, Hall i.T, Austria.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the best available evidence on the efficacy and tolerability of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) used to treat poststroke seizures and epilepsy. METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, ClinicalTrials.gov and Opengrey.eu were searched for RCTs of AEDs used to treat post-stroke epilepsy. The following outcomes were considered: seizure freedom; occurrence of adverse effects (AEs); withdrawal for AEs. The methodological quality was assessed according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Adjusted indirect comparisons were made between each AED using controlled-release carbamazepine (CR-CBZ) as common comparator. RESULTS: Only 2 RCTs were included, one comparing levetiracetam (LEV) with CR-CBZ and the other comparing lamotrigine (LTG) with CR-CBZ. No significant difference was found in seizure freedom between either LEV or LTG and CR-CBZ. Occurrence of AEs were lower for LEV and LTG than for CR-CBZ. Indirect comparisons showed no difference between LEV and LTG for seizure freedom (OR 0.86; 95%CI: 0.15-4.89). Occurrence of AEs was higher for LEV than for LTG (OR 6.87; 95%CI: 1.15-41.1). For withdrawal rates due to AEs, we found a large width and asymmetrical distribution of confidence intervals around the obtained OR of 10.8 (95% CI: 0.78-149.71). CONCLUSIONS: Direct and indirect comparisons did not find a difference in seizure freedom between the various AEDs, probably because of the small number of patients included. LEV and LTG appears better tolerated than CR-CBZ and LEV seems associated with more AEs than LTG. Further studies are required to provide robust evidence on efficacy and tolerability of AEDs for treating poststroke epilepsy.
OBJECTIVE: To determine the best available evidence on the efficacy and tolerability of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) used to treat poststroke seizures and epilepsy. METHODS: MEDLINE, Embase, CENTRAL, ClinicalTrials.gov and Opengrey.eu were searched for RCTs of AEDs used to treat post-stroke epilepsy. The following outcomes were considered: seizure freedom; occurrence of adverse effects (AEs); withdrawal for AEs. The methodological quality was assessed according to the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions. Adjusted indirect comparisons were made between each AED using controlled-release carbamazepine (CR-CBZ) as common comparator. RESULTS: Only 2 RCTs were included, one comparing levetiracetam (LEV) with CR-CBZ and the other comparing lamotrigine (LTG) with CR-CBZ. No significant difference was found in seizure freedom between either LEV or LTG and CR-CBZ. Occurrence of AEs were lower for LEV and LTG than for CR-CBZ. Indirect comparisons showed no difference between LEV and LTG for seizure freedom (OR 0.86; 95%CI: 0.15-4.89). Occurrence of AEs was higher for LEV than for LTG (OR 6.87; 95%CI: 1.15-41.1). For withdrawal rates due to AEs, we found a large width and asymmetrical distribution of confidence intervals around the obtained OR of 10.8 (95% CI: 0.78-149.71). CONCLUSIONS: Direct and indirect comparisons did not find a difference in seizure freedom between the various AEDs, probably because of the small number of patients included. LEV and LTG appears better tolerated than CR-CBZ and LEV seems associated with more AEs than LTG. Further studies are required to provide robust evidence on efficacy and tolerability of AEDs for treating poststroke epilepsy.
Authors: Richard S Chang; William Cy Leung; Michael Vassallo; Lucy Sykes; Emma Battersby Wood; Joseph Kwan Journal: Cochrane Database Syst Rev Date: 2022-02-07
Authors: Cinzia Costa; Elena Nardi Cesarini; Paolo Eusebi; David Franchini; Paola Casucci; Marcello De Giorgi; Carmen Calvello; Michele Romoli; Lucilla Parnetti; Paolo Calabresi Journal: Front Neurol Date: 2022-01-12 Impact factor: 4.003