Evaluating the Efficacy and Associated Factors of Vagus Nerve Stimulation in Medically Refractory Epilepsy Patients Medikal Tedaviye Dirençli Epilepsi Hastalarında Vagus Sinir Stimülasyonunun Etkinliğinin ve İlişkili Faktörlerin Değerlendirilmesi
Medical Journal of Bakirkoy, cilt.21, sa.1, ss.31-38, 2025 (ESCI, Scopus, TRDizin)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 21 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2025
- Doi Numarası: 10.4274/bmj.galenos.2025.2024.11-1
- Dergi Adı: Medical Journal of Bakirkoy
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
- Sayfa Sayıları: ss.31-38
- Anahtar Kelimeler: Vagus nerve stimulation, seizure control, medically refractory epilepsy, neuromodulation, treatment response
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Objective: This study investigated seizure control rates and factors associated with treatment response in a series of patients with medically refractory epilepsy who underwent vagus nerve stimulation (VNS). Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study of 82 patients who received VNS implantation between 2007 and 2024. Demographic data, epilepsy characteristics, and preoperative and postoperative outcomes, including seizure frequency, were analyzed. Seizure outcomes were assessed using the International League Against Epilepsy and Engel classifications, and statistical analyses were performed to identify factors associated with seizure control. Results: The average follow-up duration was 67.1 months. At 12 months post-VNS, 73.18% of patients achieved more than a 50% reduction in seizure frequency, with 36.59% experiencing a 75-100% reduction. Higher response rates were observed among patients with a history of epilepsy surgery. No significant associations were found between treatment response and age, gender, or epilepsy type. Conclusion: VNS implantation is an effective treatment option for seizure control in patients with medically refractory epilepsy. This study highlights factors potentially associated with better outcomes, suggesting that VNS may be particularly beneficial in specific patient subgroups. Further research with larger, prospective studies is recommended to confirm these findings.