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Utilization of antiepileptic drugs in Hong Kong children

Karen L Kwong1, Kwing W Tsui, Shun P Wu

  • 1Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Tuen Mun Hospital, Hong Kong SAR, China. karenkwong@graduate.hku.hk

Pediatric Neurology
|April 24, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Antiepileptic drug prescribing in Hong Kong children showed a slight decline, but newer medications like levetiracetam and oxcarbazepine significantly increased. This trend necessitates evaluating cost-effectiveness and long-term outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Neurology
  • Pharmacology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) are crucial for managing epilepsy in children and adolescents.
  • Understanding prescribing trends, particularly the adoption of novel AEDs, is essential for optimizing pediatric epilepsy care.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the prescribing patterns of AEDs in children and adolescents in Hong Kong.
  • To assess the uptake and trends of newer AEDs compared to older ones within this demographic.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of data from the Clinical Data Analysis and Reporting System (CDARS).
  • Inclusion criteria: Children aged 0-19 years with at least one anticonvulsant prescription.
  • Study period: April 1, 2005, to March 31, 2009.

Main Results:

  • Overall anticonvulsant prescribing prevalence slightly declined from 2.23/1000 children in 2005.
  • Valproic acid remained the most prescribed AED; carbamazepine use declined by 20%.
  • Use of newer AEDs increased by 26.9%, with levetiracetam use quadrupling and oxcarbazepine use increasing 15-fold.

Conclusions:

  • Despite an overall decline in anticonvulsant use, there was a significant rise in the prescription of newer AEDs among pediatric and adolescent populations.
  • The increasing utilization of novel AEDs warrants a comprehensive assessment of their cost-effectiveness, long-term efficacy, quality of life impact, and overall health economic outcomes.

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