UCB study shows healthcare impact of uncontrolled epilepsy

UCB has published the findings of a new study which reveals the implications in terms of healthcare costs of poorly controlled cases of epilepsy.

Data from research conducted in the US revealed that the cost of treating epilepsy patients with unstable AED treatment (switch, add-on or discontinuation of treatment) is at least double that of stable patients over a two-year period.

Results from 12,718 patients showed that the process of changing treatment due to poor seizure control or unacceptable side effects is expensive, both in terms of overall healthcare and emergency room costs.

Dr Florent Richy, head of global epidemiology at UCB and adjunct professor of epidemiology at the University of Liege in Belgium, said this shows the need for more effective treatments.

"Fast, sustained epilepsy control is not only beneficial for people with epilepsy, it also reduces healthcare costs for society," he explained.

This comes in the same week that UCB launched the 2011 Excellence in Epilepsy Journalism Award scheme, in association with the International Bureau for Epilepsy.