Quality of life in adults enrolled in an open-label study of cannabidiol (CBD) for treatment-resistant epilepsy

Publication date: June 2019Source: Epilepsy & Behavior, Volume 95Author(s): Tyler E. Gaston, Magdalena Szaflarski, Barbara Hansen, E. Martina Bebin, Jerzy P. Szaflarski, for the UAB CBD ProgramAbstractTreatment-resistant epilepsy (TRE) is associated with low quality of life (QOL). Cannabidiol (CBD) may improve QOL, but it is unclear if such improvements are independent of improvements in seizure control. Our aim was to compare QOL at baseline and after 1 year of treatment with CBD. We hypothesized that QOL would improve independent of changes in seizure frequency (SF) or severity, mood, or adverse events. We assessed QOL using Quality of Life in Epilepsy-89 (QOLIE-89) in an open-label study of purified CBD (Epidiolex®) for the treatment of TRE. All participants received CBD, starting at 5 mg/kg/day and titrated to 50 mg/kg/day in increments of 5 mg/kg/day. We collected QOLIE-89 in adult participants at enrollment and after 1 year of treatment, or at study exit if earlier. We analyzed if the change in QOLIE-89 total score could be explained by the change in SF, seizure severity (Chalfont Seizure Severity Scale, CSSS), mood (Profile of Moods States, POMS), or adverse events (Adverse Event Profile, AEP). Associations among the variables were assessed using bivariate tests and multiple regression. Fifty-three participants completed enrollment and follow-up testing, seven at study termination. Mean QOLIE-89 total score improved from enrollment (49.4 ± 19) to follow...

Source: Epilepsy and Behavior - April 17, 2019 Category: Neurology Source Type: research