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A randomised trial of strategies to improve patient compliance with anticonvulsant therapy

journal contribution
posted on 2023-05-18, 21:54 authored by Gregory PetersonGregory Peterson, Stuart McLeanStuart McLean, Millingen, KS
Fifty-three hospital outpatients with epilepsy were randomly allocated to either a control or an intervention group. Patients in the intervention group were subjected to a combination of compliance-improving strategies: patient counselling, a special medication container, self-recording of medication intake and seizures, and mailed reminders to collect prescription refills and attend clinic appointments. Compliance with anticonvulsant therapy (as measured by plasma anticonvulsant levels and prescription refill frequencies), and seizure frequency, were evaluated in each patient prior to intervention and 6 months afterwards. Patient compliance and clinical control improved significantly in the intervention group patients. Seizure frequency was, on average, halved following intervention. Compliance and seizure frequency were unaltered in the control group. Intervention failed to improve clinic appointment keeping. Poor compliance with drug therapy commonly confounds the treatment of epilepsy. This study shows that compliance can be improved and seizure frequency lessened by strategies that are easily incorporated into the routine management of epileptic patients.

History

Publication title

Epilepsia

Volume

25

Issue

4

Pagination

412-7

ISSN

0013-9580

Department/School

College Office - College of Health and Medicine

Publisher

Blackwell Science

Place of publication

United States

Repository Status

  • Restricted

Socio-economic Objectives

Evaluation of health and support services not elsewhere classified

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