Quality of Life and Seizure Improvement With Clobazam for Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome

Clobazam, as an adjunct therapy, improved symptoms and quality of life (QOL) for children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, according to a pilot study published in the Journal of Child Neurology.

Researchers of this prospective study evaluated the efficacy of clobazam, a 1,5-benzodiazepine, for improvements in seizure activity, behavior, and QOL in children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. Patients with a clinical history of tonic, atonic, drop seizures, generalized tonic-clonic, or atypical absence seizures were included in the study. Data about medical history, seizure count, QOL, and behavior were collected over the course of 10 weeks. The study consisted of 4 phases: an evaluation to collect baseline information, an initiation to begin the addition of clobazam as an adjunct therapy, maintenance to continue medication and collect mid-study data, and a response evaluation to collect follow-up data.

Of the 10 patients included in this study, 9 were boys, and the age range was between 3 to 11 years old. Seizure activity improved in 8 patients, with 5 having over a 50% reduction in seizure frequency. Based on parental answers on the Quality of Life in Childhood Epilepsy questionnaire improvements were indicated in physical activities for 62.5%, cognition for 87.5% (P =.008), in social activities for 37.5% (P =.049), in behavior for 87.5% (P =.038), in general health for 50%, and in overall QOL for 87.5% (P =.018). Based on parental answers for the Aberrant Behavior Checklist, trends towards improvements were seen in hyperactivity, irritability, lethargy, stereotypy, and inappropriate speech.

Limitations of this study include the small sample size, potential bias in parental answers about behavior, the relatively short follow up time frame, and the lack of a control group.

The researchers concluded “[a]n overall trend toward a positive well-being was seen in our patients with clobazam, as adjunct therapy for Lennox-Gastaut syndrome in children.”

The study was funded by Lundbeck pharmaceutical company, the manufactures of Frisium® (clobazam).

Reference

Weinstock A, Agarwal N, Farooq O, Cheema Z, Hamilton D, Parrish J. Evaluation of the effects of clobazam on seizure control and quality of life in children with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome: a pilot study [published online March 27, 2019]. J Child Neurol. doi: 10.1177/0883073819836534