Comparison Of Efficacy Of Antiepileptic Drugs In Patients With Idiopathic Generalized Epilepsy

Background:Idiopathic generalized epilepsy (IGE), influenced by genetic and environment factors, is usually treated by various antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). But whether the efficacy of AEDs in these cases differs has not been defined.Objectives:To compare efficacy of Carbamazepine (CBZ), Topiramate (TPM) and Valproic acid (VPA).in patients of IGEDesign:A retrospective cohort studySetting:A large epilepsy center of The First Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing medical university, ChinaPatients:one hundred and seventy seven patients with IGE prescribed CBZ, TPM or VPA as monotherapy between2000and2010Methods:We measured12-month seizure freedom and12-month retention rates of CBZ, TPM and VPA as well as time to treatment failure. Data were analyzed by pairwise comparisons using Chi-square or Fisher exact test. Clinical predictors of treatment failure were also evaluated using Cox regression analysis.Results:A total of one hundred and seventy seven subjects had at lest1year follow-up. Retention rates for three AEDs were similar. However, the freedom rates for TPM and VPA were (52.3%and46.7%, respectively) much higher than CBZ (25.5%). Time to treatment failure between three drugs was similar. Seizure frequency before treatment and numbers of AEDs taken before treatment were predictors of treatment failure.Conclusions:In this study of patients with IGEs, VPA and TPM were more effective than CBZ for12-month seizure freedom.