LONG-TERM PATTERNS OF WEIGHT CHANGES DURING TOPIRAMATE THERAPY: AN OBSERVATIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Our aims were to document long-term weight changes during topiramate therapy up to 5 years and to determine predictors of these changes. ### Methods. A cohort of children and adults started on topiramate during 1997 to 2002 was studied. Follow-up was for 1 to 5 years, until the patient discontinued topiramate or until the end of the study on December 31, 2005. Topiramate was started then adjusted according to clinical practice criteria. For most, this was 25 mg/day (1 week), then increased by 25 mg/day each week until 50 mg BID. Further adjustments were individualized. Inclusion criteria were definite diagnosis of epilepsy, failure of at least 2 antiepileptic drugs (AEDs), ability to come for regular follow-up, and topiramate judged to be appropriate. Exclusion criteria were preexisting eating disorder, presence of metabolic abnormalities known to affect weight, and inadequate follow-up. The following were collected at baseline and at each follow-up performed as a rule once every 3 months: age, gender, weight, height, topiramate dose, and concomitant medications (valproate, other AEDs). Baseline body mass index (BMI) (kg/m …