title: Predictors of seizure control in patients with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME).
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is a widely accepted epilepsy syndrome. Factors that are potentially predictive for seizure outcome in JME are not entirely clear yet. In the current study, we tried to identify factors that are potentially predictive for seizure outcome in patients with JME.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this case-control study all patients with a clinical diagnosis of JME were recruited at the outpatient epilepsy clinic at Shiraz University of Medical Sciences from 2008 to 2012. All patients were followed for at least 18 months. We divided the patients into two groups: patients who were seizure free in the last 12 months of their follow-up period and those who had any seizures (i.e., generalized tonic-clonic (GTC), myoclonic or absences).
  
  
  RESULTS
  116 patients were studied. Sixty-eight patients were seizure free in the last 12 months of their follow-up and 48 patients had at least one seizure of any type. Shorter follow-up period, drugs other than valproate in the drug regimen, and poor drug adherence were significantly more frequent among those who were not seizure free.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A correct diagnosis of JME does not guarantee an optimal response to therapy. Poorer drug adherence might result in more seizures; this should be highlighted for patients in every single visit. Longer follow-up gives the treating physician more time to adjust the drug(s) and formulate a plan that is appropriate for patients with difficult to treat seizures. We recommend valproate if seizure control is the main objective.
authors.affiliation: Neurosciences Research Center, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran; Jefferson Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Department of Neurology, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA, USA. Electronic address: aliasadipooya@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Ali A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Asadi-Pooya
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Zabihollah
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hashemzehi
authors.affiliation: Neurosciences Research Center, School of Medicine, Shiraz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehrdad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Emami
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D020190:Myoclonic Epilepsy, Juvenile / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D014635:Valproic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014635:Valproic Acid
keywords: Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy; Seizure control; Treatment