Multiple anti-seizure medications use and pattern of seizure control in children with epilepsy at neurology follow up clinic, Tikur Anbessa specialized hospital, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Antiseizure drug treatment is the mainstay of the management of epilepsies. Thirty percent of individuals with epilepsy experience refractory or drug resistant seizures which often require treatment with combinations of antiseizure drugs. Methods: This was a cross sectional descriptive study of three hundred fifty-five children with epilepsy attending Tikur Anbessa hospital in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Children with epilepsy who had been on Antiseizure medications for six months and more were consecutively enrolled from October 1 2018 to December 30 2018 to reach the calculated sample size. The history and laboratory result information were extracted from patient’s records and was supplemented by direct inquiry. Data was analyzed using SPSS for windows version 24. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was done for those that had P-value (<0.05) on bivariate analysis and adjusted odds ratio were used to explore the association. Results: One hundred twenty nine of the 355 children (36.3 %) were on multiple AEDs; 114(32.1%) were on dual therapy while 15(4.1%) were on three anti epileptic drugs. Conclusion: One third of children with epilepsy attending the pediatric neurology clinics were being managed with multiple Anti-seizure drug therapy. Almost half of the participants had achieved seizure freedom in the past six months. KeyWords: Multiple antiseizure medications; seizure-control; children; Ethiopia.