Document Type
Article
Publication Title
Seizure : the journal of the British Epilepsy Association
Abstract
PURPOSE: This study evaluated the rate of new occurrence of select comorbidities in adults after events of uncontrolled epilepsy versus controlled epilepsy.
METHODS: The HealthVerity Marketplace Inovalon healthcare claims database was used. Adults (≥18 years) with an epilepsy diagnosis (ICD-10-CM G40*) prescribed at least one antiseizure medication (ASM) between January 1, 2015, and December 31, 2021, were included. Patients were categorized as having either a first-filled or third-filled ASM. The first ASM filled was defined as no ASMs filled for at least 1 year of enrollment. Uncontrolled epilepsy events within 1 year of new ASM initiation were: seizure-related inpatient or emergency room visit or initiation of subsequent ASM. Patients with uncontrolled and controlled epilepsy were propensity score matched. Time to first new comorbidity was measured for cardiac/metabolic, neuropsychiatric, and neurologic disorders.
RESULTS: First-filled ASM start date was identified for 78,714 patients with epilepsy, 64,031 of whom received a third ASM. Most patients had an uncontrolled epilepsy event within the first year after first-filled (57%) ASM initiation and after third-filled (56%) ASM initiation. The rate of most neuropsychiatric and neurologic comorbidities was higher among patients with uncontrolled epilepsy during first-filled and third-filled ASM. The rate of most cardiac/metabolic comorbidities was higher among patients with uncontrolled epilepsy after third-filled ASM initiation; however, these comorbidities were more common in controlled epilepsy during first-filled ASM.
CONCLUSION: Patients with uncontrolled epilepsy had a higher rate of new-onset comorbidities. These results indicated that seizure control may influence the non-seizure impacts of epilepsy.
First Page
178
Last Page
185
DOI
10.1016/j.seizure.2025.09.008
Publication Date
11-1-2025
Recommended Citation
Faught E, Klatte E, Wade CT, Stern S, Kerr WT. New onset of comorbidities in people with epilepsy in a national healthcare claims database. Seizure. 2025 Nov;132:178-185. doi: 10.1016/j.seizure.2025.09.008. Epub 2025 Sep 12. PMID: 41016072.