Levels of anger in epilepsy patients treated with eslicarbazepine acetate
Funding Information
This study received a grant from BIAL laboratories to support medical writing support.
Abstract
Introduction
Aggressive behavior is commonly associated with epilepsy and can be influenced by the antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) taken. Sodium channel blockers, specifically the carboxamides derivatives such as carbamazepine and oxcarbazepine, are some of the AEDs considered to have a favorable psychiatric effect profile.
Objectives
We aimed to assess whether the carboxamide analogue eslicarbazepine acetate (ESL) has any effect on the levels of anger in patients with epilepsy.
Material and methods
We prospectively recruited adult patients with epilepsy on treatment with ≦2 active AEDs, who required AED addition or substitution, excluding patients with active psychiatric disorders. All patients completed anger level (STAXI-2), depression-anxiety (HADS), and quality of life (QOLIE-10) assessments, and were evaluated at baseline and within 3-6 months after treatment initiation.
Results
Of 78 patients receiving ESL, as add-on therapy or in substitution of a previous AED, were recruited into the ESL group, with an average age of 48 years and 54% men. We used a control group of 58 patients receiving AEDs other than carboxamides.
Conclusions
Patients overall showed improvements in anger levels, mood, and quality of life during the follow-up. A history of psychiatric disorders was a limiting factor to improve anger levels. As compared to controls, anger levels improved in ESL patients independently from seizure control. Therefore, ESL seems to exert a favorable influence on the anger levels of otherwise healthy patients with epilepsy, including those unresponsive to seizure control. The potential ESL anti-aggressive effect should be studied in patients with epilepsy and active psychiatric disorders.
Conflict of interest
Manuel Toledo declares conflict of interest by receiving grants and consultancy honoraria from BIAL Laboratories, EISAI Inc, ESTEVE, and UCB Pharma. Estevo Santamarina declares conflict of interest by receiving grants and consultancy honoraria from BIAL Laboratories, EISAI Inc, ESTEVE, and UCB Pharma. Juan Rodriguez-Uranga declares conflict of interest by receiving grants and consultancy honoraria from BIAL Laboratories, EISAI Inc, ESTEVE, and UCB Pharma. Dolores Castro declares conflict of interest by receiving grants and consultancy honoraria from BIAL Laboratories, EISAI Inc, ESTEVE, and UCB Pharma. María Gómez Eguilaz declares conflict of interest by receiving grants and consultancy honoraria from BIAL Laboratories, EISAI Inc, ESTEVE, and UCB Pharma. Gonzalo Mazuela declares conflict of interest by receiving grants from BIAL Laboratories and EISAI Inc Jose Ángel Mauri declares conflict of interest by receiving grants and consultancy honoraria from BIAL Laboratories, EISAI Inc, ESTEVE, and UCB Pharma. Xiana Rodriguez Osorio declares conflict of interest by receiving grants and consultancy honoraria from BIAL Laboratories, EISAI Inc, ESTEVE, and UCB Pharma.
