Comparison of efficacy of low glycemic index treatment and modified Atkins diet among children with drug-resistant epilepsy: A randomized non-inferiority trial

Abstract

Objective: The ketogenic diet has been the mainstay of treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE). No comparative trials have been conducted to assess the efficacy of the two less strict ketogenic diets: modified Atkins diet (MAD) and low glycemic index treatment (LGIT). This study assesses the non-inferiority of LGIT compared with MAD.

Methods: This was an open-label randomized non-inferiority trial. Children with DRE were randomized to receive either MAD or LGIT as an add-on to anti-seizure medications. The primary endpoint was percentage seizure reduction at the end of 24 weeks of therapy compared to the baseline. The non-inferiority margin of -15% was predefined to calculate the sample size.

Results: Ninety-one children were enrolled and randomized to receive either MAD (n = 45) or LGIT (n = 46). Intention-to-treat analysis done at the end of 24 weeks of therapy showed a mean (±standard deviation [SD]) percentage seizure reduction of 60.7% (±41.3) in the MAD sub-group and 57% (±39.4) in the LGIT sub-group (p = 0.664). The absolute difference between the means of percentage seizure reduction was -3.7 (-20.5 to 13.2) and crossed the non-inferiority margin. Ten children in the MAD group and nine children in the LGIT group did not complete 24 weeks of therapy. Adverse effects were comparable between the arms (MAD, 66.6%; LGIT, 50%), although serious adverse effects were higher in the MAD arm. The most common adverse effect was decreased acceptance (24.2%) followed by decreased satiety (9.9%), vomiting (9.9%), weight loss (5.5%), constipation (5.5%), and diarrhea (3.3%). Dyslipidemia was more commonly seen in the MAD group (MAD, six; LGIT, one). One death in the LGIT arm was unrelated to therapy. Although there was no statistically significant difference in improvement in cognition, behavior, and quality of life scales, improvement was noted from baseline scores.

Significance: LGIT may be non-inferior to MAD in the treatment of children with DRE with the advantage of increased acceptance and fewer adverse effects.

Keywords: drug resistant epilepsy; ketogenic diet; low glycemic index treatment; modified atkins diet.