RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Non-adherence to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) is associated with considerable morbidity and mortality in the general population but little is known about adherence in individuals with intellectual disability (ID). METHOD: Using the records of a closed pharmacy billing system over a 30 month period, we examined the medication non-adherence rates for AEDs among 793 individuals with ID. We calculated the medication possession ratio (number of days each participant was in possession of an AED), and defined non-adherence as 25% or more of the exposure days without the possession of an AED. All participants studied had filled prescriptions for AEDs spanning at least 6 months. RESULTS: Controlling for age and gender, we found non-adherence rates varied by living arrangement. Compared with those living in group homes, individuals with ID living in family homes or in semi-independent settings were significantly less adherent to AEDs (P < 0.0003). CONCLUSION: Non-adherence to AEDs is a potential medical risk for individuals with ID that is significantly impacted by the type of community living arrangement.
Asunto(s)
Anticonvulsivantes/administración & dosificación , Discapacidades del Desarrollo/tratamiento farmacológico , Cumplimiento de la Medicación/estadística & datos numéricos , Características de la Residencia/estadística & datos numéricos , Adulto , Femenino , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana EdadRESUMEN
STUDY OBJECTIVE: To determine the effects of the long-term administration of 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) on sensorimotor function in humans with long-standing spinal cord injury (SCI). DESIGN: Randomized, open-label, active-treatment control, dosage-blinded study. SETTING: University-affiliated, tertiary-level care, Department of Veterans Affairs Medical Center. PATIENTS: Twenty-one healthy men and women outpatients suffering from traumatic SCI (14 tetraplegic, 7 paraplegic) for 2 years or more. INTERVENTIONS: Dosages of an immediate-release formulation of 4-AP were titrated. At 3 months, 16 subjects were receiving 4-AP 30 mg/day (high dose); 5 subjects were receiving 4-AP 6 mg/day (low dose) and served as an active-treatment control group. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Composite motor and sensory scores had statistically significant increases at 3 months. Maximal expiratory pressure, maximal inspiratory pressure, forced vital capacity, and forced expiratory volume in 1 second showed clinically meaningful and/or statistically significant increases among patients receiving 4-AP 30 mg/day. These subjects also had significant decreases in spasticity (modified Ashworth Scale). Serial biochemical profiles and electroencephalographs were unchanged from baseline, and no clinically significant drug toxicity was encountered. CONCLUSIONS: Long-term oral administration of immediate-release 4-AP was associated with improvement in and recovery of sensory and motor function, enhanced pulmonary function, and diminished spasticity in patients with long-standing SCI. 4-Aminopyridine appears to be safe and relatively free from toxicity when administered orally over 3 months. Each patient who received immediate-release 4-AP 30 mg/day showed a response in one or more of the outcome measures.