Predictors and associated factors with adverse drug reaction in people with epilepsy

There is a need for early identification and intervention of Adverse Drug Reaction (ADR) to alleviate the unacceptably growing burden, morbidity, and mortality associated with People With Epilepsy (PWE). This study is aimed at identifying associated factors and predictors of ADR among PWE.

It is an interviewer-administered questionnaire-based study consisting of 940 consenting participants aged 16 years and above attending epilepsy clinics for 5 years with diagnosis confirmed by International League against Epilepsy (ILAE) criteria and supported by Electroencephalography (EEG). Twenty-one-item Liverpool Adverse Effect Profile (LAEP) and 8-item Morinsky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS) were used to assess ADR and adherence respectively.

The highest reported ADR in PWE were nervousness (34.3%), aggression (33.6%), and weight gain (32.3%). Specifically, 20.1% of the participants complained of memory problems. On the other hand, ADR associated with skin, mouth/gum and hair loss was 9.3%, 8.9%, and 7.2% respectively, and these were the lowest reported ADRs. Using the MMAS, 545(90.2%), 28(4.6%), and 31(5.1%) of PWE in this study were classified as having high, medium, and low adherence, respectively. Duration of Anti-Seizure Medication (ASM) use and duration of epilepsy were the major determinants of ADR in PWE on the regression model.

Duration of ASM use and duration of epilepsy are the major determinants of ADR in PWE. Effective strategies to identify and reduce ADR should be incorporated into the management of PWE by Health Care Providers (HCPs) to improve their quality of life.