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Each row is one question a systematic review asked: who, what, compared with what, and which outcome, with the effect it found and how certain that is. Words match anywhere in the field.
970 questions in 77 reviews · Epilepsy
current versionsNo studies 190 · 19.6%Ungraded 42 · 4.3%Very low 135 · 13.9%Low 289 · 29.8%Moderate 242 · 24.9%High 72 · 7.4%
Ungraded means an effect was reported without a GRADE rating; it is not a gap. No studies means the review found nothing to answer the question. The six categories are a display order, not a score.
| Question | Effect | Evidence | Status / GRADE |
|---|---|---|---|
Vigabatrin vs placebo ≥ 50% reduction in seizure frequency (ITT analysis) Duration of treatment (range): 16–36 weeks · people (aged 10–64 years) with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy Vigabatrin add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant focal epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | RR 2.6 [1.87, 3.63] | 4 studies · 513 participants | Low |
Vigabatrin vs placebo Treatment withdrawal for any reason Duration of treatment (range): 12 (3 months) to 36 weeks · people (aged 10–64 years) with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy Vigabatrin add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant focal epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | RR 2.86 [1.25, 6.55] | 4 studies · 370 participants | Very low |
Vigabatrin vs placebo Adverse effects: ataxia Duration of treatment (range): 7–36 weeks · people (aged 10–64 years) with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy Vigabatrin add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant focal epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | RR 2.76 [0.96, 7.94] | 7 studies · 481 participants | Very low |
Vigabatrin vs placebo Adverse effects: dizziness/light‐headedness Duration of treatment (range): 7–36 weeks · people (aged 10–64 years) with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy Vigabatrin add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant focal epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | RR 1.74 [1.05, 2.87] | 9 studies · 709 participants | Low |
Vigabatrin vs placebo Adverse effects: fatigue Duration of treatment (range): 8–36 weeks · people (aged 10–64 years) with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy Vigabatrin add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant focal epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | RR 1.65 [1.08, 2.51] | 9 studies · 709 participants | Low |
Vigabatrin vs placebo Adverse effects: nystagmus Duration of treatment (range): 16–18 weeks · people (aged 10–64 years) with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy Vigabatrin add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant focal epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | RR 1.53 [0.62, 3.76] | 2 studies · 357 participants | Low |
Vigabatrin vs placebo Adverse effects: abnormal vision Duration of treatment (range): 8–36 weeks · people (aged 10–64 years) with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy Vigabatrin add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant focal epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | RR 1.64 [0.67, 4.02] | 5 studies · 430 participants | Very low |
Add‐on lamotrigine vs placebo 50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency · people with drug‐resistant generalised tonic‐clonic seizures Lamotrigine add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant generalised tonic‐clonic seizures (2020) · Cochrane | RR 1.88 [1.43, 2.45] | 2 studies · 270 participants | Low |
Add‐on lamotrigine vs placebo Seizure freedom (i.e. total cessation of seizure activity) · people with drug‐resistant generalised tonic‐clonic seizures Lamotrigine add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant generalised tonic‐clonic seizures (2020) · Cochrane | RR 1.55 [0.89, 2.72] | 2 studies · 270 participants | Very low |
Add‐on lamotrigine vs placebo Treatment withdrawal · people with drug‐resistant generalised tonic‐clonic seizures Lamotrigine add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant generalised tonic‐clonic seizures (2020) · Cochrane | RR 1.2 [0.72, 1.99] | 2 studies · 270 participants | Very low |
Add‐on lamotrigine vs placebo Adverse effects · people with drug‐resistant generalised tonic‐clonic seizures Lamotrigine add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant generalised tonic‐clonic seizures (2020) · Cochrane | RR 0.91 [0.29, 2.86] | 2 studies · 270 participants | Very low |
Intervention NR Effects on adherence (behavioural interventions) · adults and children with epilepsy Strategies for improving adherence to antiepileptic drug treatment in people with epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 4 studies · 391 participants | Moderate |
Intervention NR Effects on adherence (educational interventions) · adults and children with epilepsy Strategies for improving adherence to antiepileptic drug treatment in people with epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 13 studies · 1938 participants | Moderate |
Intervention NR Effects on adherence (mixed interventions) · adults and children with epilepsy Strategies for improving adherence to antiepileptic drug treatment in people with epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 4 studies · 612 participants | High |
Intervention NR Seizure frequency and/or seizure severity Assessed by National Hospital Seizure Severity Scale (NHS3), seizure diary and self‐reporting · adults and children with epilepsy Strategies for improving adherence to antiepileptic drug treatment in people with epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 11 studies · 2147 participants | Moderate |
Intervention NR Self‐efficacy · adults and children with epilepsy Strategies for improving adherence to antiepileptic drug treatment in people with epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 5 studies · 453 participants | Low |
Intervention NR Quality of life · adults and children with epilepsy Strategies for improving adherence to antiepileptic drug treatment in people with epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 6 studies · 1027 participants | Moderate |
Rufinamide vs placebo 50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency ‐ ITT analysis · people with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy Rufinamide add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | RR 1.79 [1.44, 2.22] | 6 studies · 1759 participants | Moderate |
Rufinamide vs placebo Adverse effects: diplopia · people with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy Rufinamide add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | RR 4.6 [2.53, 8.38] | 3 studies · 1295 participants | Low |
Rufinamide vs placebo Seizure freedom · people with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy Rufinamide add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | RR 1.32 [0.36, 4.86] | 1 study · 73 participants | Moderate |
Rufinamide vs placebo Treatment withdrawal · people with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy Rufinamide add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | RR 1.83 [1.45, 2.31] | 6 studies · 1759 participants | Moderate |
Rufinamide vs placebo Adverse effects: dizziness · people with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy Rufinamide add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | RR 2.52 [1.9, 3.34] | 3 studies · 1295 participants | Moderate |
Rufinamide vs placebo Adverse effects: fatigue · people with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy Rufinamide add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | RR 1.46 [1.08, 1.97] | 3 studies · 1295 participants | Moderate |
Rufinamide vs placebo Adverse effects: headache · people with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy Rufinamide add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | RR 1.36 [1.08, 1.69] | 3 studies · 1228 participants | Moderate |
Rufinamide vs placebo Adverse effects: somnolence · people with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy Rufinamide add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | RR 1.94 [1.44, 2.61] | 6 studies · 1759 participants | Moderate |
Rufinamide vs placebo Adverse effects: nausea · people with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy Rufinamide add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | RR 1.87 [1.33, 2.64] | 3 studies · 1295 participants | Moderate |
Rufinamide vs placebo Adverse effects: vomiting · people with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy Rufinamide add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | RR 2.95 [1.8, 4.82] | 4 studies · 777 participants | Low |
Interventions for vs no intervention Number of deaths due to SUDEP: nocturnal supervision compared to no supervision · cases of SUDEP and matched controls (number of deaths due to SUDEP) and consecutive people with epilepsy from a… Treatments for the prevention of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 203 participants | Very low |
Interventions for vs no intervention Number of deaths due to SUDEP: additional nocturnal supervision compared to no additional supervision · cases of SUDEP and matched controls (number of deaths due to SUDEP) and consecutive people with epilepsy from a… Treatments for the prevention of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) (2020) · Cochrane | OR 0.76 [0.4, 1.46] | 48 participants | Very low |
Interventions for vs no intervention Number of deaths due to SUDEP: special precautions compared to no special precautions · cases of SUDEP and matched controls (number of deaths due to SUDEP) and consecutive people with epilepsy from a… Treatments for the prevention of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) (2020) · Cochrane | OR 0.41 [0.2, 0.82] | 155 participants | Very low |
Interventions for vs no intervention Number of other deaths (unrelated to SUDEP) · cases of SUDEP and matched controls (number of deaths due to SUDEP) and consecutive people with epilepsy from a… Treatments for the prevention of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Interventions for vs no intervention Change in mean depression and anxiety scores · cases of SUDEP and matched controls (number of deaths due to SUDEP) and consecutive people with epilepsy from a… Treatments for the prevention of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 222 participants | Very low |
Interventions for vs no intervention Clinically important change in quality of life · cases of SUDEP and matched controls (number of deaths due to SUDEP) and consecutive people with epilepsy from a… Treatments for the prevention of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 215 participants | Very low |
Interventions for vs no intervention Number of hospital attendances for seizures · cases of SUDEP and matched controls (number of deaths due to SUDEP) and consecutive people with epilepsy from a… Treatments for the prevention of Sudden Unexpected Death in Epilepsy (SUDEP) (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | NR | No studies |
Psychological treatments vs usual or supportive care QOLIE‐31 total scorea · adolescents and adults with epilepsy Psychological treatments for people with epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 11 studies · 643 participants | Moderate |
Psychological treatments vs usual or supportive care QOLIE‐31 emotional well‐being subscalea · adolescents and adults with epilepsy Psychological treatments for people with epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 10 studies · 643 participants | Moderate |
Psychological treatments vs usual or supportive care QOLIE‐31 energy or fatigue subscalea · adolescents and adults with epilepsy Psychological treatments for people with epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 10 studies · 642 participants | Moderate |
Psychological treatments vs usual or supportive care QOLIE‐31 overall QoL subscalea · adolescents and adults with epilepsy Psychological treatments for people with epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 10 studies · 639 participants | Moderate |
Psychological treatments vs usual or supportive care QOLIE‐31 seizure worry subscalea · adolescents and adults with epilepsy Psychological treatments for people with epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 10 studies · 632 participants | Moderate |
Psychological treatments vs usual or supportive care QOLIE‐31 cognitive functioning subscalea · adolescents and adults with epilepsy Psychological treatments for people with epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 10 studies · 641 participants | Moderate |
Psychological treatments vs usual or supportive care QOLIE‐31 medication effects subscalea · adolescents and adults with epilepsy Psychological treatments for people with epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 10 studies · 643 participants | Moderate |
Psychological treatments vs usual or supportive care QOLIE‐31 social function subscalea · adolescents and adults with epilepsy Psychological treatments for people with epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 10 studies · 630 participants | Moderate |
Oxcarbazepine vs control Median percentage seizure reduction per 28 days · drug‐resistant focal epilepsy Oxcarbazepine add‐on for drug‐resistant focal epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | no estimate extracted | 5 studies · 1494 participants | Moderate |
Oxcarbazepine vs control 50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency · drug‐resistant focal epilepsy Oxcarbazepine add‐on for drug‐resistant focal epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | RR 1.8 [1.27, 2.56] | 6 studies · 1593 participants | Low |
Oxcarbazepine vs control Ataxia · drug‐resistant focal epilepsy Oxcarbazepine add‐on for drug‐resistant focal epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | RR 2.54 [0.86, 7.54] | 5 studies · 1227 participants | Moderate |
Oxcarbazepine vs control Hyponatraemia · drug‐resistant focal epilepsy Oxcarbazepine add‐on for drug‐resistant focal epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | RR 2.53 [0.27, 23.85] | 6 studies · 1593 participants | Moderate |
Oxcarbazepine vs control Somnolence · drug‐resistant focal epilepsy Oxcarbazepine add‐on for drug‐resistant focal epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | RR 2.03 [1.17, 3.54] | 6 studies · 1593 participants | Low |
Oxcarbazepine vs control Seizure freedom · drug‐resistant focal epilepsy Oxcarbazepine add‐on for drug‐resistant focal epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | RR 2.86 [1.19, 6.87] | 5 studies · 1494 participants | Low |
Oxcarbazepine vs control Treatment withdrawal · drug‐resistant focal epilepsy Oxcarbazepine add‐on for drug‐resistant focal epilepsy (2020) · Cochrane | RR 1.75 [1.44, 2.13] | 6 studies · 1593 participants | Moderate |
Topiramate vs placebo 50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency (ITT analysis) · people with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy Topiramate add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant focal epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane | RR 2.71 [2.05, 3.59] | 12 studies · 1650 participants | High |