Effect of Antiepileptic Drugs (Valproate vs Phenytoin) in Patients of Traumatic Brain Injury
Abstract
Objective: To determine the effect of Valproate as compared to Phenytoin in patients with traumatic brain injury to prevent early seizures.
Patients and Methods: This randomized controlled trial (RCT) was conducted at Pakistan Institute of Medical sciences (PIMS) Islamabad from March to September 2015. A total of 100 cases of traumatic brain injury were enrolled in this study; which were randomly divided into two groups A and B. Gender distribution was similar in both A & B groups, with 36 (72%) males and 14 (28%) females. Consecutive (non-probability) sampling technique was used.
Results: Group A patients received Valproate as anti-epileptic agent, while in group B, Phenytoin was given. In group A there were 45 (90%) patients with no seizures, 1 (2%) with simple partial, 1(2%) with complex partial and 3 (6%) with generalized tonic clonic seizures. In group B there were 40 (80%) patients with no seizures, 1 (2%) with simple partial, 5(10%) with complex partial and 4 (8%) with generalized tonic colonic seizures. In group A seizures were low (10 %) as compare to group B (20%), with statistically insignificant difference (p= 0.161).
Conclusion: In this study, Valproate was found to be effective as a prophylactic anti-epileptic agent as compared to phenytoin. New drugs need to be studied on larger scale to find more effective and safe drug for Prophylactic use in post-traumatic seizures.
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