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Understanding Seizure Control

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This study by Becker et al in 2021 uses the STEP survey to examine perspectives of adult patients with epilepsy, caregivers, and healthcare professionals (HCPs) on seizure freedom, seizure control, communication, and treatment goals.1

What does Seizure Control mean?

Patient perspectives on Seizure Control

A wide range of defining characteristics of seizure control are important to patients:1

  • Among patients and caregivers ≥60% agreed that a defining characteristic for seizure control was having a good quality of life (QoL)1
  • And ≥60% said that their definition of seizure control included : 'doesn't affect my life'1

To optimise care, each patient's perspective should be discussed during consultations and used to support their individual life goals.1

What is good Seizure Control?

Good seizure control means total seizure control i.e., zero seizures. Yet striving to stop seizures in clinical practice comes with many challenges. The main reasons for uncontrolled seizures are:

  • The treatment or dosage is wrong2
  • Despite treatment, triggers or lifestyle factors may affect seizure control:
    • Poor compliance may limit how well the medication works2
    • Factors such as severe sleep deprivation or alcohol consumption may limit medication benefits7
  • On top of this, at least 30% of people with epilepsy have drug resistant epilepsy (DRE),3 where adequate trials of 2 ASMs have failed to control a person's seizures2

DRE is a severe condition associated with a significant decrease in QoL for patients and their caregivers, the presence of associated comorbidities and an increased probability of early death compared to patients with seizure freedom.3

Choosing the right treatment to support your patients Step Towards Seizure Freedom is essential.

The importance of reducing seizure frequency

Reducing or eliminating seizures can:

The goals of treatment for your drug resistant patients

What is your ultimate goal of treatment for drug resistant focal onset seizures?4,6,7

Success with any of these treatment aims could improve patients' QoL.8

Yet due to the impact of seizures on patients' wellbeing, achieving seizure freedom remains key.4,6,8

Footnotes

*The STEP survey was completed by 400 adult patients with epilepsy, 201 caregivers, and 258 HCPs (112 general neurologists, 96 epileptologists, 50 nurse practitioners/physician assistants).4

The online "Seize the Truth About Epilepsy Perceptions” (STEP) Survey was developed by SK Life Science, Inc. to understand the current state of epilepsy in the United States, with the goal of fostering better communication between patients and their care teams.

Abbreviations

ASM, antiseizure medicine; HCP, healthcare professional; QOL, Quality Of Life; STEP, Seize the Truth of Epilepsy Perceptions.

  1. Becker DA, et al. Epilepsy Behav. 2021;117:107816.
  2. Thurman DJ, et al. Epilepsia. 2017;58(1):17‒26.
  3. Epilepsy Research UK. Available at: https://epilepsyresearch.org.uk/about-epilepsy/epilepsy-statistics/ (last accessed July 2023).
  4. Josephson CB, et al. Epilepsia. 2017;58(5):764‒71.
  5. Trinka E, et al. Epilepsia. 2013;54(3):495-501.
  6. Halford JJ, et al. Acta Neurol Scand. 2020;142(2):91‒107.
  7. Brulde B, Malmgren K. Lakartidningen. 1999;96(37):3943‒6.
  8. NICE Technology Appraisal Guidance [TA753]. Cenobomate for treating focal onset seizures in epilepsy. Published 15 December 2021. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ta753/chapter/3-Committee-discussion (last accessed July 2023).

UK17046P | August 2023

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