Panacea Index Logo

Command Palette

Search for a command to run...

Vitamin D prophylaxis in persons with epilepsy?

Epilepsia
September 1, 2024
Jo Sourbron et al. (14 authors)
Journal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

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

Extracted Claims (11)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
-
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
Abstract

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.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansEpilepsyVitamin D DeficiencyVitamin DAnticonvulsantsOsteoporosisRisk FactorsBone DensityFemale
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy70/10
Quality75/10
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.05
Weight Score2.34
Normalized Score0.63
Related Supplements