Status epilepticus and refractory status epilepticus represent some of the most complex conditions encountered in the neurological intensive care unit. Challenges in management are common as treatment options become limited and prolonged hospital courses are accompanied by complications and worsening patient outcomes. Antiepileptic drug treatments have become increasingly complex. Rational poly...

OBJECTIVE To analyze drug prescriptions for insulin and oral antidiabetic drugs in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus patients seen in the Brazilian Public Healthcare System (Unified Health System - SUS) in Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil. SUBJECTS AND METHODS All the patients with diabetes seen in the SUS in the western district of Ribeirao Preto, SP, Brazil between March/2006 and February/2007 ...

There is considerable evidence suggesting, that older antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and some of the newer ones decrease bone mineral density (BMD). However, there is only limited and conflicting data concerning the effect of levetiracetam on BMD. In this cross-sectional study we analysed data from 168 adult consecutive outpatients treated with AEDs for more than 2 years, and who underwent measurem...

We assessed the clinical variables predicting the feasibility of immediate overnight switching from slow-release carbamazepine to oxcarbazepine in Korean patients with refractory partial epilepsy. Thirty patients aged 15 years or older with refractory partial epilepsy, who had been treated with slow-release carbamazepine as monotherapy or in combination therapy, were switched overnight from slo...

We describe the incidence of newly treated epilepsy in primary care and patterns of antiepileptic drug prescription, numbers of patients who remain on initial therapy and health service utilisation. Data was collected from 100 general practices that subscribed to the Doctors Independent Network (DIN-LINK) project. Over the study period 1531 patients were identified, equating to an annual incide...

Tuberculosis (TB) is currently in resurgence due to immigration from endemic areas. Skeletal TB frequently mimics more common etiologies and can be difficult to diagnose. A case of TB knee arthritis in a young woman with painful and swelling knee is reported here. Arthrotomy was performed and inflamed synovial tissue was found, with multiple rice bodies in the eroded lateral femoral condyle. Th...

Background: Epilepsy is the most common neurological disorder in children requiring long term drug therapy which are associated with vitamin D deficiency. Antiepileptic actions of deficiency have been extensively studied animal models but human data, particularly lacking. Objectives were to study levels serum epilepsy on antiepileptic drugs and correlation between frequency breakthrough seizure...

BACKGROUND Analysis of the prescribing patterns of antipsychotic drugs can improve therapeutic outcomes. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prescribing pattern of antipsychotics and its conformance to international treatment guidelines. METHODS A cross sectional study at primary psychiatric centers was carried out. Patients' medical files were used to obtain demographic, medication...

OBJECTIVE To assess the risk of major congenital malformations (MCMs) in association with maternal use of valproic acid (VPA) in monotherapy or adjunctive therapy, and its relationship with dose. METHODS The analysis was based on prospectively acquired data from EURAP, a registry enrolling women treated with antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) in early pregnancy, in which the primary outcome is presen...