Pharmacological treatment of psychiatric comorbidity in patients with refractory epilepsy.
The purpose of the present study was to describe the use of psychopharmacological drugs for the treatment of a stated or presumed psychiatric comorbid condition in patients with refractory epilepsy and discuss the clinical implications of such treatment. The study was a retrospective descriptive study in patients admitted to the National Center for Epilepsy in Norway based on medication described in medical records. The mean age was 40 years (range: 9-90), and the gender ratio was 56/44% female/male. Psychotropic drugs (antidepressants and antipsychotics) were used to a lower extent than in the general population in Norway. Drugs for ADHD were predominantly used in children. The prevalence of patients treated with psychiatric comedication was 13% (143 of 1139 patients). The patients used two to eight concomitant CNS-active drugs, which calls for the close monitoring of potential pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic interactions and should challenge clinicians to achieve a less complex pharmacotherapy. Psychiatric comorbidity is an important concern in patients with refractory epilepsy and may be undertreated.
Jæren Apotek Varhaug, Norway.
Mohamad
M
Karouni
Oliver
O
Henning
Pål G
PG
Larsson
Svein I
SI
Johannessen
Cecilie
C
Johannessen Landmark
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001289:Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009664:Norway / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs
Antiepileptic drugs; Epilepsy; Psychiatric comorbidity; Psychotropic drugs