Epilepsy and antiepileptic drugs: risk factors for atherosclerosis

Abstract

Introduction: Epilepsy is a chronic disease that affects metabolism either alone or through the antiepileptic drug (AED) treatment. A risk of atherosclerosis has been found in epileptic patients.

Aim: Prove the potential role of epilepsy and/or its treatment as atherosclerotic risk factors.

Subject and methods: Forty Egyptian patients with primary idiopathic epilepsy were compared to 20 healthy controls. B-mode ultrasound examination of the common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA IMT), measurement of serum lipid profile, fibrinogen and high sensitive C-reactive protein were performed to both groups.

Results: Patients had significantly increased right and left CCA IMT (p < 0.05); elevated levels of HDL (p < 0.01) and hs-CRP (p = 0.009) in comparison to control subjects. Positive correlation was found between IMT and hs-CRP (p < 0.05) as well as fibrinogen level (p < 0.05). Carbamazepine level was positively correlated to triglycerides (r = 0.748, p = 0.013) and Valproate level was positively correlated to hs-CRP serum level (r = 0.556, p = 0.032).

Conclusion: Epilepsy and AED's are potential risk factors for atherosclerosis. Weak relation between epilepsy and/or AED's and lipid profile was found. Hs-CRP may be implicated in atherosclerosis in epileptic patients.

Keywords: atherosclerosis; epilepsy; fibrinogen; hs-C reactive protein; serum lipids.