Adherence to antiepileptic drugs in adolescents with epilepsy

The aims of the current study were to identify patterns and predictors of adherence in adolescents with epilepsy over one year, as well as its impact on seizures and health-related quality of life (HRQOL).

Forty-eight adolescents with epilepsy (M_age=14.8+1.5, 69% female, 73% White: NonHispanic) and their caregivers completed questionnaires assessing demographics, epilepsy knowledge, side effects, adherence barriers, family functioning, and HRQOL at quarterly clinic visits over one year. Adherence was monitored electronically via MEMS TrackCaps. Seizures were determined via chart review.

Baseline adherence was 86.05% and significantly decreased over 12months (b=-2.07, p<0.001). Higher adherence was predicted by higher socioeconomic status (SES) (b=0.04, p<0.05), more side effects (b=0.06, p<0.01), fewer caregiver-reported adherence barriers (b=0.18, p<0.05), and lower family conflict (b=-0.19, p<0.05). Change in adherence over 12months did not significantly predict HRQOL or seizures.

This is the first longitudinal study of objective adherence in adolescents with epilepsy. Given adolescence is a period of vulnerability during development, including declining adherence, caregivers are encouraged to continue collaborating with their adolescents around epilepsy management. Adherence barriers represent an ideal target for intervention and can be implemented in the clinic by frontline providers. Multidisciplinary care can address low SES (social work, financial advocates) and family conflict (psychologists, therapists) in patients with the ultimate goal of optimizing adherence and health outcomes.