scholarly journals Evidence for cannabis and cannabinoids for epilepsy: a systematic review of controlled and observational evidence

2018 ◽  
Vol 89 (7) ◽  
pp. 741-753 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Stockings ◽  
Dino Zagic ◽  
Gabrielle Campbell ◽  
Megan Weier ◽  
Wayne D Hall ◽  
...  

Review evidence for cannabinoids as adjunctive treatments for treatment-resistant epilepsy. Systematic search of Medline, Embase and PsycINFO was conducted in October 2017. Outcomes were: 50%+ seizure reduction, complete seizure freedom; improved quality of life (QoL). Tolerability/safety were assessed by study withdrawals, adverse events (AEs) and serious adverse events (SAEs). Analyses were conducted in Stata V.15.0. 36 studies were identified: 6 randomised controlled trials (RCTs), 30 observational studies. Mean age of participants was 16.1 years (range 0.5–55 years). Cannabidiol (CBD) 20 mg/kg/day was more effective than placebo at reducing seizure frequency by 50%+(relative risk (RR) 1.74, 95% CI 1.24 to 2.43, 2 RCTs, 291 patients, low Grades of Recommendation, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) rating). The number needed to treat for one person using CBD to experience 50%+ seizure reduction was 8 (95% CI 6 to 17). CBD was more effective than placebo at achieving complete seizure freedom (RR 6.17, 95% CI 1.50 to 25.32, 3 RCTs, 306 patients, low GRADE rating), and improving QoL (RR 1.73, 95% CI 1.33 to 2.26), however increased risk of AEs (RR 1.24, 95% CI 1.13 to 1.36) and SAEs (RR 2.55, 95% CI 1.48 to 4.38). Pooled across 17 observational studies, 48.5% (95% CI 39.0% to 58.1%) of patients reported 50%+ reductions in seizures; in 14 observational studies 8.5% (95% CI 3.8% to 14.5%) were seizure-free. Twelve observational studies reported improved QoL (55.8%, 95% CI 40.5 to 70.6); 50.6% (95% CI 31.7 to 69.4) AEs and 2.2% (95% CI 0 to 7.9) SAEs. Pharmaceutical-grade CBD as adjuvant treatment in paediatric-onset drug-resistant epilepsy may reduce seizure frequency. Existing RCT evidence is mostly in paediatric samples with rare and severe epilepsy syndromes; RCTs examining other syndromes and cannabinoids are needed.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42017055412.

2020 ◽  
pp. 088307382096715
Author(s):  
Ahmet Tanritanir ◽  
Xiaofan Wang ◽  
Tobias Loddenkemper

Background: Rufinamide, a triazole derivative, is a new-generation antiseizure medication with a novel mechanism of action. We evaluated the efficacy and safety of rufinamide treatment in children with epilepsy younger than 4 years at our center. Methods: In this retrospective study, we included children younger than 4 years who had pharmacologically resistant epilepsy and were treated with rufinamide at Boston Children’s Hospital between June 2010 and June 2018. Safety and efficacy of rufinamide treatment were assessed immediately prior to initiation of rufinamide and at the last follow-up visit. Responders were defined as patients who had greater than 50% reduction in seizure frequency on follow-up as compared to baseline. Results: We reviewed records of 128 children and included 103 with complete information. Patients consisted of 60 boys (58%), with a median age of 20 months (interquartile range 13-28, range 2-36). Median treatment duration was 15 months, and median rufinamide dosage at the last follow-up was 42 mg/kg/d (interquartile range 34-56). At the last follow-up, seizure frequency decreased (450 vs 90, P<.001) and overall seizure reduction was 54%. Fifty-one patients (49.5%) were responders with 94% seizure reduction, including 20 (19.4%) who achieved seizure freedom. Treatment retention rate at 12 months was 63%. Thirty patients (29%) developed adverse events and 41 patients (39.8%) discontinued rufinamide because of adverse events (15; 14.5%) and lack of efficacy (26; 25%). Conclusion: Rufinamide is effective in reducing seizure frequency in pediatric epilepsy patients younger than 4 years, and overall well tolerated.


2020 ◽  
Vol 32 (S1) ◽  
pp. 132-132
Author(s):  
Liliana P. Ferreira ◽  
Núria Santos ◽  
Nuno Fernandes ◽  
Carla Ferreira

Objectives: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia and it is associated with increased mortality. The use of antipsychotics is common among the elderly, especially in those with dementia. Evidence suggests an increased risk of mortality associated with antipsychotic use. Despite the short-term benefit of antipsychotic treatment to reduce the behavioral and psychological symptoms of dementia, it increases the risk of mortality in patients with AD. Our aim is to discuss the findings from the literature about risk of mortality associated with the use of antipsychotics in AD.Methods: We searched Internet databases indexed at MEDLINE using following MeSH terms: "Antipsychotic Agents" AND "Alzheimer Disease" OR "Dementia" AND "Mortality" and selected articles published in the last 5 years.Results: Antipsychotics are widely used in the pharmacological treatment of agitation and aggression in elderly patients with AD, but their benefit is limited. Serious adverse events associated with antipsychotics include increased risk of death. The risk of mortality is associated with both typical and atypical antipsychotics. Antipsychotic polypharmacy is associated with a higher mortality risk than monotherapy and should be avoided. The mortality risk increases after the first few days of treatment, gradually reducing but continues to increase after two years of treatment. Haloperidol is associated with a higher mortality risk and quetiapine with a lower risk than risperidone.Conclusions: If the use of antipsychotics is considered necessary, the lowest effective dose should be chosen and the duration should be limited because the mortality risk remains high with long-term use. The risk / benefit should be considered when choosing the antipsychotic. Further studies on the efficacy and risk of adverse events with antipsychotics are needed for a better choice of treatment and adequate monitoring with risk reduction.


2012 ◽  
Vol 50 (4) ◽  
pp. 417-426
Author(s):  
R. Jund ◽  
M. Mondigler ◽  
H. Steindl ◽  
H. Stammer ◽  
P. Stierna ◽  
...  

Objective: A herbal drug combination (Dry Extract BNO 1016) has been assessed for efficacy and tolerability in patients with acute viral rhinosinusitis. Methodology: In this randomised, controlled trial patients with symptom duration of up to 3 days, mild to moderate facial pain and a Major Symptom Score (MSS) between 8 and 12 were treated for 15 days with BNO 1016 or placebo (coated tablets administered orally). Primary efficacy endpoint was mean MSS at end of treatment. Secondary outcome measures included treatment response and changes in paranasal sinuses assessed by ultrasonography. Results: Treatment resulted in clinically relevant, significant differences in mean MSS for BNO 1016 versus placebo. BNO 1016 provided symptom relief two days earlier than placebo. The number needed to treat for healing is 8. BNO 1016 was superior regarding responder rates at Day 10 and Day 14 and percentage of patients without signs of acute viral rhinosinusitis assessed by ultrasonography at end of treatment. BNO 1016 was well tolerated; no serious adverse events were reported. Conclusion: The herbal dry extract BNO 1016 is efficacious and well tolerated in patients with acute viral rhinosinusitis. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT01146860; EudraCT: 2009-016682-28).


2017 ◽  
Vol 76 (12) ◽  
pp. 2065-2070 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa K Stamp ◽  
Peter T Chapman ◽  
Murray Barclay ◽  
Anne Horne ◽  
Christopher Frampton ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo determine the long-term safety and efficacy of allopurinol dose escalation (DE) to achieve target serum urate (SU) in gout.MethodsPeople, including those with chronic kidney disease, who completed the first 12 months of a randomised controlled trial continued into a 12-month extension study. Participants randomised to continue current dose for the first 12 months began allopurinol DE at month 12 if SU was ≥6 mg/dL (control/DE). Immediate DE participants who achieved target SU maintained allopurinol dose (DE/DE). The primary endpoints were reduction in SU and adverse events (AEs) at month 24.ResultsThe mean (SE) change in SU from month 12 to 24 was −1.1 (0.2) mg/dL in control/DE and 0.1 (0.2) mg/dL in DE/DE group (p<0.001). There was a significant reduction in the percentage of individuals having a gout flare in the month prior to months 12 and 24 compared with baseline in both groups and in mean tophus size over 24 months, but no difference between randomised groups. There were similar numbers of AEs and serious adverse events between groups.ConclusionsThe majority of people with gout tolerate higher than creatinine clearance-based allopurinol dose and achieve and maintain target SU. Slow allopurinol DE may be appropriate in clinical practice even in those with kidney impairment.Trial registration numberACTRN12611000845932


2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. i7-i11
Author(s):  
P Hanlon ◽  
E Butterly ◽  
J Lewsey ◽  
S Siebert ◽  
F S Mair ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction Frailty is common in clinical practice, but trials rarely report on participant frailty. Consequently, clinicians and guideline-developers assume frailty is largely absent from trials and have questioned the relevance of trial findings to frail people. Therefore, we examined frailty in phase 3/4 industry-sponsored clinical trials of pharmacological interventions for three exemplar conditions: type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Methods We constructed a 40-item frailty index (FI) in 19 clinical trials (7 T2DM, 8 RA, 4 COPD, mean age 42–65 years) using individual-level participant data. Participants with a FI &gt;0.24 were considered “frail”. Baseline disease severity was assessed using HbA1c for T2DM, Disease Activity Score-28 (DAS28) for RA, and % predicted FEV1 for COPD. Using generalised gamma regression, we modelled FI on age, sex and disease severity. In negative binomial regression we modelled serious adverse event rates on FI, and combined results for each index condition in a random-effects meta-analysis. Results All trials included frail participants: prevalence 7–21% in T2DM trials, 33–73% in RA trials, and 15–22% in COPD trials. Increased disease severity and female sex were associated with higher FI in all trials. Frailty was associated with age in T2DM and RA trials, but not in COPD. Across all trials, and after adjusting for age, sex, and disease severity, higher FI predicted increased risk of serious adverse events; the pooled incidence rate ratios (per 0.1-point increase in FI scale) were 1.46 (95% CI 1.21–1.75), 1.45 (1.13–1.87) and 1.99 (1.43–2.76) for T2DM, RA and COPD, respectively. Conclusion Frailty is identifiable and prevalent among middle aged and older participants in phase 3/4 drug trials and has clinically important safety implications. Trial data may be harnessed to better understand chronic disease management in people living with frailty.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (Supplement_4) ◽  
Author(s):  
M Laanani ◽  
A Weill ◽  
P O Blotière ◽  
J Pouchot ◽  
F Carbonnel ◽  
...  

Abstract Background More than one million colonoscopies are performed every year in France. They are associated with risks of mechanical and systemic serious adverse events (SAEs) which can be associated with patient, procedure, endoscopist, and facility characteristics. We tried to identify the factors associated with colonic perforation, gastrointestinal bleeding, splenic injury, shock, myocardial infarction, stroke, pulmonary embolism, acute renal failure, and urolithiasis after colonoscopy. Methods We analysed data from the French national claims databases (SNDS). A total of 4,088,799 patients, 30 years or older, undergoing a first screening or diagnostic colonoscopy between 2010 and 2015 were identified. SAE rates were estimated, and risk factors associated with SAEs were identified using multilevel logistic regression models, adjusted for patient, colonoscopy, endoscopist, and facility characteristics. Results Increasing age was associated with an increasing incidence of mechanical and systemic SAEs. Cancer and cardiovascular comorbidities were associated with mechanical SAEs, and a higher number of pre-existing conditions was associated with shock and acute renal failure. Polypectomy, especially of polyps larger than 1 cm, was associated with an increased risk of perforation (OR = 4.1; 95% CI, 3.4-5.0) and bleeding (OR = 13.3; 95% CI, 11.7-15.1). Mechanical SAEs were associated with the endoscopist’s experience, while systemic SAEs were more frequent in public hospitals than in private clinics. Conclusions SAEs related to colonoscopy were more frequent in older patients and in those with comorbidities. Mechanical SAEs were more frequent when colonoscopy was performed by less experienced endoscopists. Systemic SAEs were more frequent in public hospitals, reflecting patient selection processes. The risk of both mechanical and systemic SAEs should be taken into account when deciding to perform colonoscopy, particularly in older patients with multiple pre-existing conditions. Key messages Systemic SAEs are not uncommon after colonoscopy and, together with intestinal SAEs, should be considered when considering the need for colonoscopy. Patients at risk of SAEs should be identified and colonoscopy should be performed by experienced endoscopists in these patients. Less invasive alternatives should also be considered in these patients.


2019 ◽  
Vol 54 (18) ◽  
pp. 1073-1080 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andre Niemeijer ◽  
Hans Lund ◽  
Signe Nilssen Stafne ◽  
Thomas Ipsen ◽  
Cathrine Luhaäär Goldschmidt ◽  
...  

ObjectiveTo evaluate the relative risk (RR) of serious and non-serious adverse events in patients treated with exercise therapy compared with those in a non-exercising control group.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.Data sourcesPrimary studies were identified based on The Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews investigating the effect of exercise therapy.Eligibility criteriaAt least two of the authors independently evaluated all identified reviews and primary studies. Randomised controlled trials were included if they compared any exercise therapy intervention with a non-exercising control. Two authors independently extracted data. The RR of serious and non-serious adverse events was estimated separately.Results180 Cochrane reviews were included and from these, 773 primary studies were identified. Of these, 378 studies (n=38 368 participants) reported serious adverse events and 375 studies (n=38 517 participants) reported non-serious adverse events. We found no increase in risk of serious adverse events (RR=0.96 (95%CI 0.90 to 1.02, I2: 0.0%) due to exercise therapy. There was, however, an increase in non-serious adverse events (RR=1.19 (95%CI 1.09 to 1.30, I2: 0.0%). The number needed to treat for an additional harmful outcome for non-serious adverse events was 6 [95%CI 4 to 11).ConclusionParticipating in an exercise intervention increased the relative risk of non-serious adverse events, but not of serious adverse events. Exercise therapy may therefore be recommended as a relatively safe intervention.PROSPERO registration numberCRD42014014819.


Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 123 (23) ◽  
pp. 3655-3663 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael A. Pulsipher ◽  
Pintip Chitphakdithai ◽  
Brent R. Logan ◽  
Willis H. Navarro ◽  
John E. Levine ◽  
...  

Key Points BM donors have a threefold higher risk for life-threatening, serious unexpected, or chronic adverse events vs PBSC donors (0.99% vs 0.31%). Donors receiving granulocyte colony-stimulating factor for PBSC collection had no evidence of increased risk for cancer, autoimmune illness, and stroke.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hai-Bo Yao ◽  
Jie-Ru Peng ◽  
Xue-Mei Zheng ◽  
Zhuo Yang ◽  
Huang Yan ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Remdesivir, a nucleoside analogue antiviral drug developed for Ebola, is approved by the US Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of COVID-19. However, the findings of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and observational studies vary regarding the effectiveness of remdesivir. We aimed to comprehensively review the available evidence identify the effectiveness and safety of remdesivir in patients with COVID-19.Methods: Seven databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Wanfang database, SinoMed, Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure and Chinese Science Journal Database) were searched for literatures published until November 2020.Following the PRISMA flow diagram, we included RCTs and prospective observational studies that reported the effectiveness and safety of remdesivir in patients with COVID-19. With extracting study details, as well as patient characteristics and outcomes, data were meta-analyzed by using Review Manager software version 5.4.1. Meta-analyses were conducted with fixed-effect model or random-effect model to calculate risk ratio (RR).Results: Four studies involving 2,279 patients were included in this meta-analysis. Compared with placebo, 10-day remdesivir was associated with significant increased clinical improvement on days 14 and 28 with RR 1.19 (95%CI 1.09-1.30) and RR 1.09 (95%CI 1.03-1.16). The clinical improvement of 5-day remdesivir was better than 10-day remdesivir on days 7 with RR 1.20 (95%CI 1.02-1.41), but the efficacy advantage of 5-day remdesivir disappeared on days 14 (RR 1.08; 95%CI 0.90-1.29). Remdesivir was associated with lower serious adverse events rates and grade 3 or 4 adverse events rates as compared with placebo with RR 0.75(95%CI 0.63-0.89) and RR 0.89(95%CI 0.80-0.99). Compared with 10-day remdesivir, 5-day remdesivir for patients with COVID-19 decreased the risk of serious adverse events rates and grade 3 or 4 adverse events rates with RR 0.65(95%CI 0.47-0.88) and RR 0.74 (95%CI 0.58-0.95). Conclusions: Our meta-analysis suggested that remdesivir would increase clinical improvement conditions and decrease serious adverse events on patients with COVID-19. 5-day remdesivir had the similar clinical effectiveness and mortality with 10-day remdesivir, and had lower serious adverse events rate. Comprehensive considering the cost and benefit, 5-day remdesivir may be a better therapeutic option if available medical resources are limited.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Al khazaali ◽  
Alexis Mckee ◽  
Anjul Sharma ◽  
Stewart Albert

Abstract Background: Cardiovascular outcome trials (CVOT) of glucagon-like peptide-1receptor agonists (GLP-1 RA) and sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) demonstrated reduction of major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), cardiovascular deaths (CVD), and renal outcomes (RO). Objective. Evaluation of data to assist in the prescribing decision with regard to severity of illness and risk for adverse events. Study Design: Systemic review of the major CVOT and previous meta-analyses. Main Outcome Measures: Analysis of six trials on GLP-1 RA and 4 trials on SGLT2i, showed both drug classes reduced MACE and CVD compared to controls, with neither class preferred (comparison GLP1-RA vs SGLT2i: (relative rate, rr MACE= 1.09, 95%CI;0.98,1.22, p= 0.129; rr, CVD =1.04, CI;0.87,1.24, p=0.657). Hospitalization for heart failure (HHF) improved with SGLT2i (rr=0.68, CI; 0.61,0.76, p&lt;0.001) but not with GLP-1 RA, (rr = 0.94, CI; 0.86,1.03, p=0.17). Both GLP-1 RA and SGLT2i showed significant reduction in RO (GLP-1RA, rr=0.83, CI; 0.75,0.912, p=&lt;0.001, SGLT2i, rr=0.0.67, CI; 0.57,0.79, p=0.001) without a preferential difference between the classes (GLP-1 RA vs SGLT2i, relative difference (rd) =0.005, CI;-0.011,0.021, p=0.532, number needed to treat (NNT)=200). Serious adverse events (SAE) for SGLT2i were predominantly mycotic genital infections in women (number needed to harm (NNH) =13 and diabetic ketoacidosis NNH=595. Gastrointestinal intolerance was the major SAE in the GLP1-RA class (NNH=35). Conclusion: Both GLP-1 RA and SGLT2i classes showed similar reduction in MACE, CVD, and RO. SGLT2i have advantages over GLP-1 RA in reduction in HHF especially in those with more severe cardiovascular disease risk.


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