Compliance and satisfaction with switching from an immediate-release to sustained-release formulation of valproate in people with epilepsy.
OBJECTIVE
The goal of our work was to assess compliance and patient satisfaction with switching from sodium valproate to Depakine Chrono in patients with epilepsy.


METHODS
Clinical, demographic, and behavioral details assessing compliance and satisfaction were collected using self-completion questionnaires at the time of inclusion in the study and 3 months after the inclusion day.


RESULTS
Data were collected from 2031 respondents from eight European countries. There were significant differences between time 1 and time 2 of the study in seizure frequency, reported side effects, compliance, and patient satisfaction.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings suggest that switching from sodium valproate to Depakine Chrono results in an increase in seizure-free rates, a reduction in reported side effects, an improvement in the level of compliance, and a modest improvement in patient satisfaction.
Doughty
Julie
J
Centre for Health Services Research, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Baker
Gus A
GA
Jacoby
Ann
A
Lavaud
Virginie
V
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017668:Age of Onset; D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003710:Demography; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012640:Seizures / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D003692:Delayed-Action Preparations; D014635:Valproic Acid