[Research] Epilepsy drugs increase risk of fractures and falls

[CQ:)]

Epilepsy drugs increase risk of fractures and falls

New research has shed light on the high risk of fractures, falls, and osteoporosis among epilepsy patients using antiepileptic drugs with most patients unaware of the risks associated with taking the drugs.

The study led by the University of Melbourne and published in the prestigious Neurology journal, found that people taking antiepileptic drugs are up to four times more likely to suffer spine, collarbone and ankle fractures and are more likely to have been diagnosed with osteoporosis.

The study also revealed that these patients are more than four times as likely as non-users of antiepileptic drugs to have been diagnosed with osteoporosis.
In addition, treatment affected balance with results showing almost double the falls rate in female patients taking the medication compared with non-users.

Chief Investigator, Prof John Wark from the University of Melbourne’s Department of Medicine at the Royal Melbourne Hospital said this research revealed new information critical to understanding the higher risk for fractures and falls in epilepsy patients taking antiepileptic medication.
“We believe patients need to be offered better information to help them to avoid these risks and prevent injury,” he said.

More than 70 percent of epilepsy patients who participated in the study were unaware of the increased risk of fractures, decreased bone mineral density and falls associated with taking antiepileptic medications.

“No published studies have explored epilepsy patients’ awareness of the effects of AEDs on bone health, fracture risk and falls. This study indicates that awareness of these issues is poor, despite our study population attending specialist epilepsy clinics at a centre with a major interest in this area,” said Prof Wark.

“Most patients indicated they would like to be better informed about these issues, suggesting that more effective education strategies are warranted and would be well-received.”

“Epilepsy patients should be assessed regularly for their history of falls and fractures for appropriate management strategies to be offered.”

The study compared 150 drug users with 506 non-users. All drug users were epilepsy outpatients at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, over 15 years old and had been taking AEDs for a minimum of three months.

http://newsroom.melbourne.edu/news/n-839

 

[Soniag]

i knew there were some risks, but didn't realise there were that many

 

[MaryK]

Thanks for the great article. I have been on phenobarbital for t/c for 40 years along with low-dose prednisone for RA for about 20 years. I knew about the risk of osteoporosis from the prednisone as soon as it was prescribed, which led me to research and phenobarbital causing a higher risk of osteoporosis/fragility fractures. I have had improvement since increasing my vitamin D, calcium, and magnesiusm, but still have osteoporosis in lumbar spine, hip (most improved) and forearm. I have had a fragility fracture. I fell down a short flight of stairs and fractured my elbow 3 years ago.

I found it interesting my rheumatologist was more up on osteoporosis than my neurologist. I think with our neurologists we have to be more proactive.

Usually osteoporosis affects mainly women, but with AED men are also at risk per the radiologist who read my latest DEXA scan. Because of my known risk factors I am able to have a DEXA every year at a minimal cost.