Patient satisfaction with polypharmacy reduction in chronic epileptics

Abstract

The effects of polypharmacy reduction on patient satisfaction and subjective seizure severity were assessed prospectively in adult out-patients with chronic epilepsy using Japanese versions of the Side effects and Life Satisfaction (SEALS) and the Seizure Severity Questionnaires (SSQ). Antiepileptic drugs (AED) were withdrawn using a 1-year reduction schedule. The SSQ score was not aggravated and total SEALS score improved significantly. Moreover, temper subscore was also improved in the sedative AED reduction group. Similar to previous studies from the physician's viewpoint, the present study confirms that from the perspective of the patient, polypharmacy reduction, especially withdrawal of sedative AED, has a favorable effect on patient satisfaction.