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Published in: Neurological Sciences 4/2009

01-08-2009 | Brief Communication

Quality of life and seizure control in patients with brain tumor-related epilepsy treated with levetiracetam monotherapy: preliminary data of an open-label study

Authors: Loredana Dinapoli, Marta Maschio, Bruno Jandolo, Alessandra Fabi, Andrea Pace, Francesca Sperati, Paola Muti

Published in: Neurological Sciences | Issue 4/2009

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Abstract

The aim of this pilot study was to investigate the effects of levetiracetam monotherapy on seizure control, quality of life and neurocognitive performance in patients with brain tumor-related epilepsy. We present here preliminary data from 18 patients with follow-up of 6 months. We evaluated seizure frequency at baseline. We used administered Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE), Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS), Barthel index (BI), QOLIE 31P (V2), EORTC QLQ-C30 and Adverse Events Profile. After 6 months, 16 patients were seizure free (88.9%), 2 (11.1%) had reduction in seizure frequency >50%. Compared to baseline, we observed a worsening of performance (KPS p = 0.011; BI = 0.008) and global lower cognitive performance (MMSE p = 0.011); distress related to seizure frequency (p = 0.003) and medication effects (p = 0.046) were significantly lower. Levetiracetam caused mild and reversible side effects. These preliminary data on LEV monotherapy in patients with brain tumor-related epilepsy show that this antiepileptic drug is efficacious and well tolerated.
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Metadata
Title
Quality of life and seizure control in patients with brain tumor-related epilepsy treated with levetiracetam monotherapy: preliminary data of an open-label study
Authors
Loredana Dinapoli
Marta Maschio
Bruno Jandolo
Alessandra Fabi
Andrea Pace
Francesca Sperati
Paola Muti
Publication date
01-08-2009
Publisher
Springer Milan
Published in
Neurological Sciences / Issue 4/2009
Print ISSN: 1590-1874
Electronic ISSN: 1590-3478
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-009-0087-x

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