Do Males 30–50 Years of Age with Chronic Epilepsy and on Long‐Term Anticonvulsant Medication Have Lower‐Than‐Expected Risk of Developing Coronary Heart Disease?

Abstract

Summary:Purpose: It has been claimed that long-term use of antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) brings about changes in the lipid profile which might resist development of cardiovascular disease. The aim of this study was to test the following hypothesis: Do males with chronic epilepsy and on long-term treatment with AEDs have a lower than expected risk of developing coronary heart disease?Methods: The coronary risk profile in 40 male patients with chronic epilepsy, aged 30-50 years, was explored, using an American individual coronary risk factor test program (the Cooper test). We made a survey of the patients' risk factors: total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, blood pressure, body fat percentage, physical fitness, hereditary factors, smoking habits, and degree of stress. Each factor was given a score, and the sum of scores constituted the total coronary risk profile. Eighty men in the same age group, casually selected from an industrial medical service, served as controls.Results: There was no statistically significant difference in

Antiepileptic Drugs and Markers of Vascular Risk

“…One Finnish study found a lower prevalence of ischemic heart disease in epilepsy patients, and furthermore found that patients who were on enzyme-inducing AEDs had 29% lower mortality due to heart disease [7]. When a Norwegian group performed a survey of coronary risk profiles on patients with epilepsy and controls, however, they found no significant differences [8]. It is possible that the Finnish study reflects genetic variants in the isolated, homogeneous Finnish population, as Finnish studies of serologic risk factors also yield different results than those in other populations (as discussed below).…”

People with epilepsy receive more statins than the general population but have no higher cardiovascular risk: results from a cross‐sectional study

“…People with epilepsy were found to have a lower cardiovascular risk than the general population. Two previous studies showed no differences between PWE and non‐epileptic patients, although with several limitations . In the study by Nakken et al .…”

“…People with epilepsy were found to have a lower cardiovascular risk than the general population. Two previous studies showed no differences between PWE and non-epileptic patients, although with several limitations [7,8]. In the study by Nakken et al [7], the majority of patients were under EIAEDs and it was concluded that the lack of difference between the two groups could have been related to the cardiovascular protective effect of HDL, increased in patients receiving inducers [22].…”

“…In the study by Nakken et al . , the majority of patients were under EIAEDs and it was concluded that the lack of difference between the two groups could have been related to the cardiovascular protective effect of HDL, increased in patients receiving inducers .…”

Adverse Metabolic Effects of Antiepileptic Drug Treatment

“…However, studies on epilepsy and comorbid vascular disease are conflicting. One Finnish study revealed a lower prevalence of ischemic heart disease in epilepsy patients than in a control group (Muuronen et al, 1985), while a Norwegian study showed no significant difference in coronary risk profile between epilepsy patients and controls (Nakken & Kornstad, 1998). Other studies have shown a mildly increased mortality from ischemic heart disease among epilepsy patients, with standardized mortality ratios between 1.2 and 2.5 (Annegers et al, 1984;Nilsson et al, 1997).…”