title: Levetiracetam and partial seizure subtypes: pooled data from three randomized, placebo-controlled trials.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the effect of levetiracetam (LEV) on partial seizure subtypes (simple partial, complex partial, and secondarily generalized seizures) in patients with refractory epilepsy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pooled results from three placebo-controlled trials were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A statistically significant reduction in the frequency of all partial seizures and all seizure subtypes was observed in the LEV group (p < 0.001 vs. placebo). The proportion of patients in whom secondarily generalized seizures could be prevented over and above the reduction of partial seizures was significantly greater in the LEV group as compared with placebo, with an odds ratio of 1.83 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.10-3.05]. CONCLUSIONS; LEV reduces frequency of simple and complex partial seizures. In addition, it demonstrates a specific, independent reduction of secondarily generalized seizures.
authors.affiliation: MINCEP Epilepsy Care and University of Minnesota, 5775 Wayzata Boulevard, Suite 255, Minneapolis, MN 55416, USA. mincepmail@mincep.com
authors.forename: Ilo E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Leppik
authors.forename: Victor
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Biton
authors.forename: Josemir W A
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Sander
authors.forename: Heinz Gregor
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Wieser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D017029:Epilepsy, Complex Partial / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004829:Epilepsy, Generalized / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004830:Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008297:Male; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010889:Piracetam / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam