Gap finder

Search review questions

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.

Limit to evidence status or GRADE (optional)

970 questions in 77 reviews · Epilepsy

current versions
No 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.

QuestionEffectEvidenceStatus / GRADE
Topiramate vs placebo
Seizure freedom · people with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy
Topiramate add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant focal epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
RR 3.67 [1.79, 7.54]8 studies · 1177 participantsModerate
Topiramate vs placebo
Treatment withdrawal · people with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy
Topiramate add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant focal epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
RR 2.37 [1.66, 3.37]12 studies · 1650 participantsHigh
Topiramate vs placebo
Adverse effects ‐ weight loss/decrease · people with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy
Topiramate add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant focal epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
RR 3.99 [1.82, 8.72]9 studies · 1070 participantsLow
Topiramate vs placebo
Adverse effects ‐ paraesthesia · people with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy
Topiramate add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant focal epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
RR 3.65 [1.58, 8.39]7 studies · 1071 participantsModerate
Topiramate vs placebo
Adverse effects ‐ 'thinking abnormally' · people with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy
Topiramate add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant focal epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
RR 5.7 [2.26, 14.38]4 studies · 640 participantsHigh
Topiramate vs placebo
Adverse effects ‐ difficulty with concentration/concentration impaired/concentration‐attention difficulties · people with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy
Topiramate add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant focal epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
RR 7.81 [2.08, 29.29]6 studies · 702 participantsModerate
Tiagabine vs placebo control
50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency (Intention‐to‐treat analysis) · People with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy
Tiagabine add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant focal epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
RR 3.16 [1.97, 5.07]3 studies · 769 participantsHigh
Tiagabine vs placebo control
Treatment withdrawal · People with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy
Tiagabine add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant focal epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.81 [1.25, 2.62]3 studies · 769 participantsModerate
Tiagabine vs placebo control
Dizziness · People with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy
Tiagabine add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant focal epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.69 [1.13, 2.51]3 studies · 769 participantsModerate
Tiagabine vs placebo control
Fatigue · People with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy
Tiagabine add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant focal epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.38 [0.89, 2.14]3 studies · 769 participantsModerate
Tiagabine vs placebo control
Nausea · People with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy
Tiagabine add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant focal epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.24 [0.69, 2.22]3 studies · 769 participantsLow
Tiagabine vs placebo control
Somnolence · People with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy
Tiagabine add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant focal epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.18 [0.76, 1.83]3 studies · 769 participantsModerate
Tiagabine vs placebo control
Tremor · People with drug‐resistant focal epilepsy
Tiagabine add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant focal epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
RR 4.56 [1, 20.94]1 study · 297 participantsLow
Carbamazepine vs phenytoin (time to treatment failure)
Time to treatment failure (any reason related to treatment)All participants Range of · adults and children with new‐onset focal or generalised epilepsy
Carbamazepine versus phenytoin monotherapy for epilepsy: an individual participant data review (2019) · Cochrane
HR 0.94 [0.7, 1.26]3 studies · 546 participantsModerate
Carbamazepine vs phenytoin (time to treatment failure)
Time to treatment failure (any reason related to treatment) Subgroup: focal onset seizures Range of · adults and children with new‐onset focal or generalised epilepsy
Carbamazepine versus phenytoin monotherapy for epilepsy: an individual participant data review (2019) · Cochrane
HR 0.83 [0.61, 1.13]3 studies · 428 participantsModerate
Carbamazepine vs phenytoin (time to treatment failure)
Time to treatment failure (any reason related to treatment) Subgroup: generalisedonset tonic clonic seizures Range of · adults and children with new‐onset focal or generalised epilepsy
Carbamazepine versus phenytoin monotherapy for epilepsy: an individual participant data review (2019) · Cochrane
HR 2.38 [1.04, 5.47]2 studies · 118 participantsLow
Carbamazepine vs phenytoin (secondary outcomes)
Time to first seizure after randomisationAll participants Range of · adults and children with new‐onset focal or generalised epilepsy
Carbamazepine versus phenytoin monotherapy for epilepsy: an individual participant data review (2019) · Cochrane
HR 1.15 [0.94, 1.4]4 studies · 582 participantsModerate
Carbamazepine vs phenytoin (secondary outcomes)
Time to first seizure after randomisation Subgroup: focal onset seizures Range of · adults and children with new‐onset focal or generalised epilepsy
Carbamazepine versus phenytoin monotherapy for epilepsy: an individual participant data review (2019) · Cochrane
HR 1.13 [0.89, 1.43]4 studies · 432 participantsModerate
Carbamazepine vs phenytoin (secondary outcomes)
Time to first seizure after randomisationSubgroup: generalisedonset tonic clonic seizures Range of · adults and children with new‐onset focal or generalised epilepsy
Carbamazepine versus phenytoin monotherapy for epilepsy: an individual participant data review (2019) · Cochrane
HR 1.19 [0.81, 1.75]3 studies · 150 participantsLow
Carbamazepine vs phenytoin (secondary outcomes)
Time to achieve 12‐month remissionAll participants Range of · adults and children with new‐onset focal or generalised epilepsy
Carbamazepine versus phenytoin monotherapy for epilepsy: an individual participant data review (2019) · Cochrane
HR 1 [0.79, 1.26]3 studies · 551 participantsModerate
Carbamazepine vs phenytoin (secondary outcomes)
Time to achieve 12‐month remissionSubgroup: focal onset seizures Range of · adults and children with new‐onset focal or generalised epilepsy
Carbamazepine versus phenytoin monotherapy for epilepsy: an individual participant data review (2019) · Cochrane
HR 1.06 [0.8, 1.42]3 studies · 430 participantsModerate
Carbamazepine vs phenytoin (secondary outcomes)
Time to achieve 12‐month remissionSubgroup: generalisedonset tonic clonic seizures Range of · adults and children with new‐onset focal or generalised epilepsy
Carbamazepine versus phenytoin monotherapy for epilepsy: an individual participant data review (2019) · Cochrane
HR 0.88 [0.58, 1.33]2 studies · 121 participantsLow
Clobazam vs Placebo
50% reduction in seizure frequency · children or adults with drug‐resistant epilepsy
Clobazam add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 47 participantsVery low
Clobazam vs Placebo
Seizure Freedom · children or adults with drug‐resistant epilepsy
Clobazam add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted3 studies · 175 participantsVery low
Clobazam vs Placebo
Treatment withdrawal · children or adults with drug‐resistant epilepsy
Clobazam add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted4 studies · 197 participantsVery low
Clobazam vs Placebo
Treatment withdrawal due to adverse events · children or adults with drug‐resistant epilepsy
Clobazam add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted2 studies · 150 participantsVery low
Clobazam vs Placebo
50% reduction in generalised‐onset seizure frequency Not measured · children or adults with drug‐resistant epilepsy
Clobazam add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Clobazam vs Placebo
50% reduction in focal‐onset seizure frequency Not measured · children or adults with drug‐resistant epilepsy
Clobazam add‐on therapy for drug‐resistant epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
IVIg vs placebo
Seizure freedom · patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy
Intravenous immunoglobulins for epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
IVIg vs placebo
Satisfactory seizure control 50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency for drug‐resistant epilepsy · patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy
Intravenous immunoglobulins for epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.89 [0.85, 4.21]1 study · 58 participantsLow
IVIg vs placebo
Incidence of adverse or harmful effects · patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy
Intravenous immunoglobulins for epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
IVIg vs placebo
Global assessment · patients with drug‐resistant epilepsy
Intravenous immunoglobulins for epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
RR 3.29 [1.13, 9.57]1 study · 60 participantsLow
Losigamone vs placebo
50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency · people with focal epilepsy
Losigamone add‐on therapy for focal epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.76 [1.14, 2.72]2 studies · 467 participantsModerate
Losigamone vs placebo
Treatment withdrawal · people with focal epilepsy
Losigamone add‐on therapy for focal epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
RR 2.16 [1.28, 3.67]2 studies · 467 participantsModerate
Losigamone vs placebo
The proportion of participants experiencing any adverse events · people with focal epilepsy
Losigamone add‐on therapy for focal epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.34 [1, 1.8]2 studies · 467 participantsModerate
Losigamone vs placebo
Adverse event (dizziness) · people with focal epilepsy
Losigamone add‐on therapy for focal epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
RR 3.82 [1.69, 8.64]2 studies · 467 participantsModerate
Sulthiame add‐on vs placebo
50% or greater reduction in seizure frequency · patients between 3 to 15 months of age with West syndrome
Sulthiame add‐on therapy for epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Sulthiame add‐on vs placebo
Complete cessation of seizures during · patients between 3 to 15 months of age with West syndrome
Sulthiame add‐on therapy for epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
RR 11.14 [0.67, 184.47]1 study · 37 participantsVery low
Sulthiame add‐on vs placebo
Mean seizure frequency · patients between 3 to 15 months of age with West syndrome
Sulthiame add‐on therapy for epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Sulthiame add‐on vs placebo
Time‐to‐treatment withdrawal · patients between 3 to 15 months of age with West syndrome
Sulthiame add‐on therapy for epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Sulthiame add‐on vs placebo
Adverse effects: total number of participants experiencing one or more adverse effects · patients between 3 to 15 months of age with West syndrome
Sulthiame add‐on therapy for epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
RR 0.85 [0.44, 1.64]1 study · 37 participantsVery low
Sulthiame add‐on vs placebo
Adverse effects: somnolence · patients between 3 to 15 months of age with West syndrome
Sulthiame add‐on therapy for epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
RR 3.4 [0.42, 27.59]1 study · 37 participantsVery low
Sulthiame add‐on vs placebo
Quality of life · patients between 3 to 15 months of age with West syndrome
Sulthiame add‐on therapy for epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extractedNRNo studies
Intervention NR
Proportion free from seizures at 1 year · adults and children with drug‐resistant epilepsy suitable for surgical intervention
Surgery for epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
RR 9.78 [4.73, 20.21]2 studies · 196 participantsLow
Intervention NR
Proportion free from all seizures (including auras) at 1 year · adults and children with drug‐resistant epilepsy suitable for surgical intervention
Surgery for epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
RR 15 [2.08, 108.23]1 study · 80 participantsVery low
Intervention NR
Proportion free from seizures (Engel Class 1 or 1A) at 1 year and at 5 years · adults and children with drug‐resistant epilepsy suitable for surgical intervention
Surgery for epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
no estimate extracted1 study · 43 participantsLow
Intervention NR
P roportion with remission of seizures (at least Engel Class IB) between 25 and 36 months · adults and children with drug‐resistant epilepsy suitable for surgical intervention
Surgery for epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
RR 0.66 [0.45, 0.99]1 study · 58 participantsLow
Intervention NR
Proportion free from seizures (Engel Class 1) at 1 year · adults and children with drug‐resistant epilepsy suitable for surgical intervention
Surgery for epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.14 [0.76, 1.7]1 study · 43 participantsLow
Intervention NR
Proportion free from seizures (Engel Class 1) at 2 years · adults and children with drug‐resistant epilepsy suitable for surgical intervention
Surgery for epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
RR 1.22 [0.85, 1.76]1 study · 60 participantsModerate
Intervention NR
Proportion free from all seizures (including auras, ILAE 1a) at 1 year · adults and children with drug‐resistant epilepsy suitable for surgical intervention
Surgery for epilepsy (2019) · Cochrane
RR 0.92 [0.59, 1.46]1 study · 47 participantsLow