Clinical characteristics and quality of life with Dravet syndrome: results of the German cohort of the Dravet syndrome caregiver survey (DISCUSS)

Hintergrund Das Dravet-Syndrom (DS) ist ein seltenes, in der frühen Kindheit beginnendes, therapierefraktäres Epilepsiesyndrom, das mit einer hohen Morbidität und Mortalität verbunden ist. Fragestellung Ziele der Querschnittsstudie „Dravet syndrome caregiver survey“ (DISCUSS) sind die Identifizierung und Beschreibung der Faktoren, die einen Einfluss auf die Krankheitslast von Patienten mit DS und ihre Betreuer haben können. Die Ergebnisse der deutschen Kohorte werden vorgestellt. Material und Methoden Die Datenerhebung erfolgte durch eine anonyme Befragung von Eltern. Die Ergebnisse wurden für die verschiedenen Altersgruppen statistisch ausgewertet. Ergebnisse Der Fragebogen wurde von 68 Eltern der DS-Patienten mit einem durchschnittlichen Alter von 10 Jahren (Median: 9, Spanne: 1–26) ausgefüllt. Nur 3 Patienten (4,4 %) waren in den letzten 3 Monaten anfallsfrei. Insgesamt hatten 97 % der Patienten, die älter als 5 Jahre waren (n = 45), mindestens eine Komorbidität. Die zum Befragungszeitpunkt am häufigsten eingenommenen Antiepileptika waren Valproat, Kaliumbromid, Stiripentol, Clobazam und Topiramat. In der Vergangenheit wurden Natriumkanalblocker, Phenobarbital und Levetiracetam eingesetzt, aktuell fanden diese Antiepileptika nur selten Verwendung. Die Lebensqualität der Patienten war niedriger als die der Allgemeinbevölkerung. Die Erkrankung eines Familienmitglieds mit DS beeinflusst Eltern und Geschwister in hohem Maße. Diskussion Trotz individueller Kombinationstherapien sind die meisten Patienten mit DS nicht anfallsfrei. Insgesamt hat sich der Einsatz von beim DS wenig wirksamer Medikamente und der kontraindizierten Natriumkanalblocker zugunsten von wirksameren Medikamenten verschoben. Neue Therapie- und Versorgungskonzepte sind notwendig, um die Versorgung der Patienten mit DS zu verbessern und Eltern und Geschwister zu entlasten.Background Dravet syndrome (DS) is a rare treatment-resistant epilepsy syndrome with onset in infancy. It is associated with high morbidity and mortality. Objective The aims of the cross-sectional Dravet syndrome caregiver survey (DISCUSS) are to identify and describe those factors that may have an impact on the disease burden of patients with DS and their caregivers. The data of the German cohort are presented. Material and methods The data collection was based on an anonymous survey of parents, which was statistically analyzed for the different age groups. Results The questionnaire was completed by 68 caregivers of DS patients with a mean age of 10 years (median 9 years, range 1–26 years). In the previous 3 months only 3 patients (4.4%) were seizure-free and 97% of the patients older than 5 years (n = 45) had at least 1 comorbidity. The antiepileptic drugs most commonly used at the time of the survey were valproate, potassium bromide, stiripentol, clobazam and topiramate. Sodium channel blockers, phenobarbital and levetiracetam have been used in past, but were given less frequently at the time of the survey. The patients’ quality of life was lower than that of the general population. The disease of a family member with DS has a major impact on parents and siblings. Conclusion Despite individual combination therapies, most patients with DS are not seizure-free. Overall, the use of less effective drugs and of the contraindicated sodium channel blockers decreased and has shifted in favor of more effective drugs. New treatment and care concepts are needed to improve the care of patients with DS and to relieve the burden on parents and siblings

Impfung zur Vorbeugung der COVID-19-Erkrankung sowie Impfpriorisierung bei Epilepsie

Der Vorstand der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Epileptologie und die Kommission „Epilepsie und Synkopen“ der Deutschen Gesellschaft für Neurologie haben die aktuelle Datenlage zur Impfung zur Vorbeugung der Corona-Virus-Krankheit 2019 (COVID-19) sowie zur Impfpriorisierung bei Menschen mit Epilepsie gesichtet, diese zusammengefasst und geben die unten genannten Empfehlungen ab.The Board of Directors of the German Society of Epileptology and the committee on epilepsy and syncope of the German Society of Neurology have reviewed the current data on vaccination to prevent coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and vaccination prioritization in people with epilepsy and provide a summary and recommendations

Burden-of-illness and cost-driving factors in Dravet syndrome patients and carers : a prospective, multicenter study from Germany

Introduction: Dravet syndrome (DS) is a rare developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. This study estimated cost, cost-driving factors and quality of life (QoL) in patients with Dravet syndrome and their caregivers in a prospective, multicenter study in Germany. Methods: A validated 3–12-month retrospective questionnaire and a prospective 3-month diary assessing clinical characteristics, QoL, and direct, indirect and out-of-pocket (OOP) costs were administered to caregivers of patients with DS throughout Germany. Results: Caregivers of 93 patients (mean age 10.1 years, ±7.1, range 15 months–33.7 years) submitted questionnaires and 77 prospective diaries. The majority of patients (95%) experienced at least one seizure during the previous 12 months and 77% a status epilepticus (SE) at least once in their lives. Over 70% of patients had behavioural problems and delayed speech development and over 80% attention deficit symptoms and disturbance of motor skills and movement coordination. Patient QoL was lower than in the general population and 45% of caregivers had some form of depressive symptoms. Direct health care costs per three months were a mean of €6,043 ± €5,825 (median €4054, CI €4935-€7350) per patient. Inpatient costs formed the single most important cost category (28%, €1,702 ± €4,315), followed by care grade benefits (19%, €1,130 ± €805), anti-epileptic drug (AED) costs (15%, €892 ± €1,017) and ancillary treatments (9%, €559 ± €503). Total indirect costs were €4,399 ±€ 4,989 (median €0, CI €3466-€5551) in mothers and €391 ± €1,352 (median €0, CI €195-€841) in fathers. In univariate analysis seizure frequency, experience of SE, nursing care level and severe additional symptoms were found to be associated with total direct healthcare costs. Severe additional symptoms was the single independently significant explanatory factor in a multivariate analysis. Conclusions: This study over a period up to 15 months revealed substantial direct and indirect healthcare costs of DS in Germany and highlights the relatively low patient and caregiver QoL compared with the general population