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Risk of Aplastic Anemia in Patients Using Antiepileptic Drugs
Author(s) -
Handoko Kim B.,
Souverein Patrick C.,
Van Staa Tjeerd P.,
Meyboom Ronald H. B.,
Leufkens Hubert G. M.,
Egberts Toine C. G.,
Van Den Bemt Patricia M. L. A.
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
epilepsia
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.687
H-Index - 191
eISSN - 1528-1167
pISSN - 0013-9580
DOI - 10.1111/j.1528-1167.2006.00596.x
Subject(s) - aplastic anemia , medicine , antiepileptic drug , anticonvulsant , pediatrics , epilepsy , psychiatry , bone marrow
Summary: Purpose: To assess the association between exposure to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) and the occurrence of aplastic anemia. Methods: A retrospective case–control study was conducted using data from the U.K. General Practitioners Research Database (GPRD). Cases were defined as patients diagnosed with aplastic anemia. For each case, up to three control patients were matched on age, sex, and medical practice. Cases and controls were compared with respect to AED use. The effects of duration of AED use were assessed. Characteristics of individual cases with AED use were reviewed. Results: The study population comprised 173 cases and 497 controls. AED use was more prevalent among cases (9.2%) than among controls (0.8%). After adjustment for confounders, the use of AEDs was significantly associated with aplastic anemia (adjusted odds ratio (OR), 9.5; 95% confidence interval (CI), 3.0–39.7). The most frequently used AEDs were carbamazepine (CBZ), valproic acid (VPA), and phenytoin. The 16 exposed cases were heterogeneous with respect to patient and exposure characteristics: the age of these patients varied from 1 to 92 years, and the duration of AED use varied from 17 days to 6.8 years. Conclusions: This study indicates that use of AEDs, in particular CBZ and VPA, is associated with a ninefold increased risk of aplastic anemia. Physicians should be alert to the possibility of AED‐associated aplastic anemia.