1570-159X/09 $55.00+.00 ©2009 Bentham Science Publishers Ltd. Concerns with AED Conversion: Comparison of Patient and Physician Perspectives

Abstract: When discussing AED conversion in the clinic, both the patient and physician perspectives on the goals and risks of this change are important to consider. To identify patient-reported and clinician-perceived concerns, a panel of epilepsy specialists was questioned about the topics discussed with patients and the clinician’s perspective of patient con-cerns. Findings of a literature review of articles that report patient-expressed concerns regarding their epilepsy and treat-ment were also reviewed. Results showed that the specialist panel appropriately identified patient-reported concerns of driving ability, medication cost, seizure control, and medication side effects. Additionally, patient-reported concerns of independence, employment issues, social stigma, medication dependence, and undesirable cognitive effects are important to address when considering and initiating AED conversion. Key Words: Epilepsy, antiepileptic drugs, conversion, patient preferences