Systematic screening allows reduction of adverse antiepileptic drug effects: A randomized trial

Objective: To determine the effectiveness of systematic screening with a brief 19-item self-report instrument, the Adverse Events Profile (AEP), to reduce adverse effects of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and improve subjective health status. Methods: The authors performed a prospective randomized trial comparing the use of the AEP with usual care without the AEP. Sixty-two patients with an AEP score of ≥45 were enrolled from a consecutive group of 200 consenting adults with epilepsy. Results: The mean percent improvement in AEP scores was greater in the patient group for which clinicians received the AEP compared with the usual care group (25% vs 5%; p < 0.01). Mean change in Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE)-89 total scores was not different between groups, but for the entire sample QOLIE-89 change was greater for patients having a 15-point improvement in AEP scores than for those with a 0- to 15-point improvement or a worsened score (24 vs 12 vs 3; analysis of variance, p < 0.008). More patients in the AEP group had a >15-point improvement in QOLIE-89 score (p < 0.03). Use of the AEP was associated with a 2.8-fold increase (95% CI, 1.7 to 4.8) in AED modifications. No difference in seizure rates was observed. Conclusions: Systematic screening for antiepileptic drug side effects may increase identification of toxicity and guide medication changes to reduce adverse effects and possibly improve subjective health status.