Modelling seizure rates rather than time to an event within clinical trials of antiepileptic drugs

Lead Investigator: Laura Bonnett, University of Liverpool
Title of Proposal Research: Modelling seizure rates rather than time to an event within clinical trials of antiepileptic drugs
Vivli Data Request: 5330
Funding Source: None.
Potential Conflicts of Interest: None

Summary of the Proposed Research:

Within epilepsy research prediction models tend to consider outcomes such as 12 months without seizures, or treatment failure. The underlying statistical model is relatively simple to produce, is familiar to clinicians and is particularly useful to answer short-term questions such as what treatment should be prescribed following diagnosis. However, this statistical modelling approach only considers time to a first event rather than considering all seizures after starting treatment for example. This makes assessing changes in seizure rate over time difficult. Alternative statistical models exists which enable repeated medical events, such as seizures, to be modelled. These have the potential to make more efficient use of the collected seizure data. Ultimately, it is thought that these alternative statistical models will facilitate more accurate estimates of changes in seizure rates over time. This in tum will help to improve the effectiveness of future clinical studies for people with multiple seizures. This study aims to demonstrate the differences between the standard and alternative statistical approaches, and to consider the benefits of the alternative approaches for assessing change in seizure rates over time.

Requested Studies:

A Multicenter, Double-blind, Randomized, Parallel Group, Positive-controlled Trial Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Levetiracetam (1000 to 3000 mg/Day Oral b.i.d.) to Carbamazepine (400 to 1200 mg/Day Oral b.i.d.), Used as Monotherapy for up to a Maximum of 121 Weeks in Subjects (≥ 16 Years) Newly or Recently Diagnosed as Suffering From Epilepsy, and Experiencing Partial or Generalized Tonic-clonic Seizures
Sponsor: UCB
Study ID: NCT00150735
Sponsor ID: N01061

A Multicenter, Double-blind, Double-dummy, Randomized, Positive- Controlled Study Comparing the Efficacy and Safety of Lacosamide (200 to 600 mg/Day) to Controlled Release Carbamazepine (400 to 1200 mg/Day), Used as Monotherapy in Subjects (≥ 16 Years) Newly or Recently Diagnosed With Epilepsy and Experiencing Partial-onset or Generalized Tonic-clonic Seizures.
Sponsor: UCB
Study ID: NCT01243177
Sponsor ID: SP0993

Update: This data request was withdrawn on 18-Aug-2023 by the researcher.