Effects of perampanel on bone health in adult patients with epilepsy.

Abstract

Objective: The objective was to assess the effects of perampanel (PER) on bone metabolism and bone mineral density (BMD) in adult patients with epilepsy.

Methods: This retrospective study included consecutive patients admitted to the Epilepsy Center of Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital from January 2023 to June 2024. A total of 39 patients who completed bone metabolism and BMD evaluations after 1 year of PER treatment were included in the PER group. The control group comprised 44 patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted between the two groups. We conducted a subgroup analysis of patients stratified by seizure frequency and type. Patients in the PER group were further stratified according to their seizure frequency and seizure type. Finally, we performed a cohort study involving 10 PER-treated patients whose baseline data were available prior to initiating PER therapy.

Results: No significant differences in bone mineral density were observed between the experimental groups and the control group. With respect to bone metabolism, minor alterations were observed only in thyroid hormone levels and serum magnesium concentrations relative to those of the controls. No significant differences in bone metabolism or BMD were observed before or after PER treatment.

Significance: Short-term PER treatment did not significantly affect bone mineral density in adult patients with epilepsy.

Plain language summary: This study investigated how PER, a drug used to treat epilepsy, affects bone health in adult patients. Researchers compared 39 patients who were treated with PER for 1 year with 44 patients with newly diagnosed epilepsy. They did not observe significant differences in BMD between the two groups. Some minor changes were observed in thyroid hormone and magnesium levels in the blood, but overall, PER treatment did not have a major effect on bone metabolism or BMD. This study suggested that the short-term use of PER does not significantly affect bone health in people with epilepsy.