Vitamin D prophylaxis in persons with epilepsy?
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to review evidence on risk factors for vitamin D deficiency, identify higher-risk groups, and determine optimal bone health monitoring methods in persons with epilepsy (PWE).
Results Summary
The study found that anti-seizure medications, especially enzyme-inducing types and valproic acid, increase the risk of vitamin D deficiency and bone health issues in PWE. Higher-risk groups include those with disabilities, institutionalized patients, and postmenopausal women, with monitoring suggested via lab tests, bone density measurements, and vitamin D supplementation.
Population
Persons with epilepsy (PWE), including specific subgroups like those with intellectual/physical disabilities, institutionalized patients, and postmenopausal women.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
Anti-seizure medications (especially enzyme-inducing types and valproic acid), corticosteroids
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
- | decrease | vitamin D levels | general population | - | decreased | #1 |
- | increase | bone turnover | general population | - | increased | #2 |
daily vitamin D supplementation | neutral | - | general population | - | is recommended | #3 |
anti-seizure medication (ASM) use, especially enzyme-inducing ASM (EIASM) and valproic acid | neutral | impaired bone health | persons with epilepsy (PWE) | - | is identified as an important risk factor for | #4 |
anti-seizure medication (ASM) use, especially enzyme-inducing ASM (EIASM) and valproic acid | increase | osteoporosis/fractures | persons with epilepsy (PWE) | - | increased risk for | #5 |
anti-seizure medication (ASM) use, especially enzyme-inducing ASM (EIASM) and valproic acid | increase | vitamin D deficiency | persons with epilepsy (PWE) | - | increased risk for | #6 |
regular vitamin D measurement | neutral | vitamin D deficiency | persons with epilepsy (PWE) | - | is a cost-effective and practical method for monitoring | #7 |
vitamin D measurement and bone densitometry | neutral | - | high-risk patients | - | is recommended | #8 |
continuous vitamin D supplementation | no change | - | all persons with epilepsy (PWE) | - | There is not enough evidence to advocate | #9 |
recommended daily intake of vitamin D for age | neutral | - | children with epilepsy | - | should receive | #10 |
additional monitoring and supplementation | neutral | - | children with epilepsy | - | if at higher risk of deficiency | #11 |
Limited guidelines exist regarding osteoporosis prevention in the general population. Despite being a subject of controversy, the majority of research suggests that decreased vitamin D levels correlate with increased bone turnover, that is, an important risk factor for osteoporosis development. In most guidelines, daily vitamin D supplementation is recommended. In persons with epilepsy (PWE), the situation is more complex, as other factors can increase the chance of being vitamin D deficient. Currently, there are no internationally accepted guidelines regarding monitoring bone health in PWE. Our aim was to review the existing evidence in PWE on: (1) risk factors for vitamin D deficiency, (2) the identification of higher risk groups, and (3) the optimal ways to monitor bone health. Our narrative review shows that: (1) anti-seizure medication (ASM) use, especially enzyme-inducing ASM (EIASM) and valproic acid, is identified as an important risk factor for impaired bone health (e.g., increased risk for osteoporosis/fractures and/or vitamin D deficiency); (2) higher risk groups within the PWE population are present: intellectual or physical disability, institutionalized patients, puberty, early onset epilepsy and developmental epileptic encephalopathies, postmenopausal women, and use of multiple ASM/concomitant drugs (e.g. corticosteroids); and (3) a monitoring scheme can be suggested including laboratory tests, bone density measurements, managing of risk factors, and/or vitamin D supplementation. Overall, regular vitamin D measurement in PWE is a cost-effective and practical method for monitoring vitamin D deficiency, whereas in high-risk patients the combination of vitamin D measurement and bone densitometry is recommended. There is not enough evidence to advocate continuous vitamin D supplementation in all PWE. Children with epilepsy should receive the recommended daily intake of vitamin D for age and additional monitoring and supplementation if at higher risk of deficiency. There is a need for prospective trials exploring the potential benefit of vitamin D supplementation in PWE.