title: [Efficacy and Safety of Levetiracetam as an Add-on Therapy for Symptomatic Refractory Epilepsy Treated in a Department of Neurosurgery].
abstract: The number of patients who suffer from symptomatic partial epilepsy is significant, and those who undergo neurosurgery often experience refractory seizures. Levetiracetam (LEV) is a new-generation anti epileptic drug (AED). Previous studies have shown that LEV has favorable efficacy and a good safety profile with few drug interactions, as it has a unique pharmacological mechanism and acts on synaptic vesicle protein. This study aimed at estimate the efficacy and safety of 1,000 to 2,000 mg/day of LEV as an add-on therapy for refractory symptomatic seizures treated in the department of neurosurgery of our hospital. Twelve patients with >1 seizure attack per year who were administrated one to three AED(s) and had never used LEV were enrolled in this study. The follow-up period was at least 6 months. Seizure-free ratio, health-related quality of life (QOL), and tolerability were assessed. Fifty-eight percent (7/12) of patients were seizure-free, and their "overall QOL", "energy/fatigue" and "health status" distress-item scores in the QOLIE-31-P had improved. All patients were able to continue oral treatment with LEV without major side effects. Thus, the efficacy and safety of oral add-on LEV therapy were high for these patients. (Received January 19, 2016; Accepted September 2, 2016; Published December 1, 2016).
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, Interdisciplinary Graduate School of Medicine and Engineering, University of Yamanashi.
authors.forename: Keiko
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Suzuki
authors.forename: Tomoyuki
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kawataki
authors.forename: Hiroki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sato
authors.forename: Masakazu
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ogiwara
authors.forename: Hiroyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kinouchi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010889:Piracetam / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000927:Anticonvulsants; D000077287:Levetiracetam; D010889:Piracetam