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Epileptic Medication Compliance Affects Longevity
According to Edward Faught, M.D. of the University of Alabama at Birmingham and colleagues, a review of Medicaid databases in three states showed that individuals who took their epilepsy medication less than 80% of the time were three times more likely to die (Phend, 2008). Furthermore the study also showed that irregular medication use can also be associated with an 86% increase in hospital admission and 50% more emergency department visits. Phend reports:
Irregularity in the use of anti-epileptics was also associated during nonadherent periods with the following:
- 50% higher incidence of emergency department visits (incidence rate ratio 1.50, 95% CI 1.49 to 1.52)
- 86% higher incidence of hospitalization (IRR 1.86, 95% CI 1.84 to 1.88).
- Two-fold higher incidence of motor vehicle accident-related injuries (IRR 2.08, 95% CI 1.81 to 2.39).
- 21% higher incidence of fractures (IRR 1.21, 95% CI 1.18 to 1.23).
- No increase in head injuries (IRR 0.73, 95% CI 0.72 to 0.75).
