Cardiovascular risk factors in epilepsy patients taking levetiracetam, carbamazepine or lamotrigine.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the study was to investigate risk factors for cardiovascular disease in patients with epilepsy using the new antiepileptic drug levetiracetam (LEV), compared with patients taking carbamazepine (CBZ) or lamotrigine (LTG).


METHODS
Two hundred and twelve patients and 80 controls (age: 18-45 years) of both genders were included. The patients had been treated with either LEV (n = 52), CBZ (n = 87) or LTG (n = 73) monotherapy for at least 6 months. Total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) were measured. Smoking, drinking habits and physical activity were recorded and body mass index (BMI) was calculated.


RESULTS
Neither LEV nor LTG altered TC, LDL or HDL. Both men and women using CBZ had higher TC, HDL and LDL than controls. LDL/HDL and TC/HDL ratios were unchanged. Women on CBZ and LTG had a greater BMI when compared with the control group. Patients with epilepsy recorded less physical activity and lower alcohol use than the controls.


CONCLUSIONS
Neither LEV nor LTG affected blood lipid levels, while patients treated with CBZ have higher cholesterol, HDL and LDL than controls. The patients were less physically active, and women on CBZ and LTG had higher BMI.
Svalheim
S
S
Department of Neurology, Oslo University Hospital - Rikshospitalet, Oslo, Norway.
Luef
G
G
Rauchenzauner
M
M
Mørkrid
L
L
Gjerstad
L
L
Taubøll
E
E
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002220:Carbamazepine / Q000009:adverse effects*; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000453:epidemiology; D015897:Comorbidity / Q000639:trends; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010889:Piracetam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives*; D012307:Risk Factors; D014227:Triazines / Q000009:adverse effects*; D055815:Young Adult
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014227:Triazines; D002220:Carbamazepine; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D010889:Piracetam