[Adjunctive Therapy with Levetiracetam for Elderly Japanese with Partial Epilepsy: Effectiveness of Levetiracetam in Seizure Management of Epilepsy Patients with Advanced-age Onset in a Practical Setting].

This prospective, nationwide, specified drug use-results survey investigated the effects of levetiracetam (LEV) in elderly individuals with partial-onset seizures of advanced-age onset in a practical setting. Participants comprised LEV-naïve patients with onset of focal epilepsy at ≥50 years old and management by at least one antiepileptic drug. Efficacy measures were the physician-rated global improvement scale (GIS), and proportions of patients showing 50% and 100% seizure reduction by comparing seizure frequency during the 4-week pre-treatment period and the last 4 weeks of the 25-week treatment period. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and retention rate were also evaluated. Data for safety, GIS evaluation, and seizure frequency analyses were available from 105, 78, and 76, respectively, of 116 enrolled patients, 83 (71.55%) of whom were enrolled by neurosurgeons. Improvement rate (improved or markedly improved) as determined by GIS was 98.72% (77/78). Seventy-four (97.37%) and 64 patients (84.21%) showed 50% and 100% seizure reduction, respectively. Incidence of ADRs was 12.38%, including one serious ADR (mania). LEV retention rate remained high at the end of the 25-week treatment period (96.00%). LEV appears efficacious and well-tolerated in elderly patients with focal epilepsy. Including LEV in the treatment regimen may allow elderly patients to achieve freedom from seizures.