Revolutionized treatment of epilepsy

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Revolutionized treatment of epilepsy

The President of the Portuguese League Against Epilepsy (LPcE) noted today a "small revolution" in the clinical management of disease, simultaneously translated into concerns associated with pathologies "that formerly did not see themselves as a whole."

Speaking to the Lusa news agency, Francisco Sales explained that it is serious diseases with consequences in terms of personality and emotions, which will be discussed on Saturday in Lisbon, BIAL Forum of Neurology 2011.

"We must look for epilepsy, not as a homogeneous disease, but as a continuum of things. On one side of the spectrum, we can have only one person who has epilepsy and that, moreover, makes his living entirely normal. But on the other side of the spectrum, we highly disabled patients, often institutionalized, and with epilepsy in the context of a much more serious disease, "he said.

Lisbon to the forum, the president of LPcE perspective not only a deepening of this special issue, but also other scientific approaches "cutting edge" of the disease as "a search for new causes for epilepsy."

The event will be the researcher Anne Berg, Epilepsy Center Children's Memorial Hospital in Chicago, author of studies indicate that people with epilepsy have higher rates of cognitive impairment, behavioral and psychiatric disorders, sudden death and / or suicide.

His studies also indicate that epileptics may have lower academic performance and professional and even more unsuccessful marriage.

Epilepsy affects in Portugal from 50,000 to 60,000 people and 100,000 people come every year, 50 new patients.

"These are relatively high rates and that is why epilepsy is most common chronic diseases affecting the central nervous system. It is the third leading cause of most common chronic disease worldwide, "said the president of LPcE.

In his declarations to Lusa, Francisco Sales pointed out that about 60 to 70 percent of epileptics "respond well to medication," and stressed that the drugs for the disease have undergone a significant evolution, now featuring "fewer side effects and is easier to manage ".

In this field, emphasized the contribution of the Portuguese pharmaceutical industry in 2009 has launched a new anti-epileptic, the first national patent drug, already marketed in several European countries.

"I welcome the development of this new drug for epilepsy. It's a historical thing in Portugal, "he stressed.

Francisco Sales cautioned, however, the need to confirm in practice the concern of the legislature to exclude drugs for people with chronic diseases of the prescription by International Nonproprietary Name (INN).

The bill the Government for prescription drugs by INN awaiting discussion in the specialty after being approved by Members in general, on October 28.

"Nothing we have to object [to the legal framework is being finalized] provided that there is a right way to monitor the ground what is written in the law and also INFARMED - Medicines Authority considers that these drugs for epilepsy are index very narrow therapeutic margin, "said the president of LPcE.

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