Vitamin D in epilepsy: vitamin D levels in epilepsy patients, patients on antiepileptic drug polytherapy and drug-resistant epilepsy sufferers

Abstract

The objective of this study was to assess vitamin D levels in epileptic patients and to compare its serum levels in patients on antiepileptic monotherapy and polytherapy. We analyzed the serum 25-hydroxy (25-OH) vitamin D levels in 98 consecutive subjects (43 epileptic patients and 55 non-epileptics). Factors influencing its serum levels such as degree of sun exposure, physical activity and dietary intake were taken into consideration. Overall, 41% had deficient, 49% had insufficient and 9% had sufficient levels of serum vitamin D. Elderly individuals (>60 years) and people employed in offices and schools had lower blood vitamin D levels. Across both the sexes, epileptic patients and non-epileptics, epileptic patients on monotherapy and polytherapy and patients with drug-responsive and -resistant seizures, there were no significant differences in serum 25-OH vitamin D levels. Our study shows that people with epilepsy suffer with vitamin D deficiency along with their normal peers.