The effect of anticonvulsant drugs on serum lipid profile

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Epilepsy is a potentially life-shortening brain disorder, the symptoms of which can be successfully treated in most patients with one or more antiepileptic drug (AED). The literature explains the association of AED therapy and dyslipidemia. The changes in lipid fraction may vary with different AED, age group, and study population. The present study was planned to assess the serum lipid profile of adult epileptic patients receiving phenytoin, carbamazepine or sodium valproate therapy and attending Neurology Outpatient Department of Government Medical College, Kottayam, compared to normal healthy controls. METHODOLOGY: A total of 150 epileptic patients on AED monotherapy attending the outpatient department of neurology were evaluated for serum lipid profile. Demographic data and medical history of consenting participants were collected by the use of a semi-structured questionnaire. Fifty age- and sex-matching healthy controls also underwent similar investigation. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Over 12 months, 150 patients were recruited with a mean age of 35.54 ± 10.72 years (male-to-female ratio 1:1.27). When compared to normal control population observed statistically significant high mean total cholesterol, triglyceride level in the group receiving phenytoin therapy for more than 1 year. Only significant hypertriglyceridemia is observed in carbamazepine and sodium valproate treated patients. A significant correlation between the duration of anticonvulsant therapy and lipid profile was established. CONCLUSION: Conventional anticonvulsants induce dyslipidemia and monitoring of lipid profile should be done routinely to decrease the morbidity and preserve the quality of life in these (asymptomatic) patients.