June 22, 2018

Improving Compliance in Adults with Epilepsy on a Modified Atkins Diet: A Randomized Trial

PURPOSE: To determine whether use of a ketogenic formula during the first month of the modified Atkins diet (MAD) in adults with drug-resistant epilepsy (DRE) improves seizure reduction and compliance compared to MAD alone.

METHODS: Eighty adults (age ?18 years) with DRE and ?4 reliably quantifiable seizures/month were enrolled. All participants were trained to follow a 20?g/day net carbohydrate limit MAD. Patients were randomized to receive one 8-ounce (237?mL) tetrapak of KetoCal®, a 4:1 ketogenic ratio formula, daily in combination with MAD during the first month (treatment arm) or second month (control/cross-over arm). Patients recorded urine ketones, weight, and seizure frequency and followed up at 1 and 2 months.

RESULTS: By 1 month, 84% of patients achieved ketosis (median of 4-4.5 days). At 1 month, the treatment arm had a significantly higher ketogenic ratio and more patients with a ?1:1 ketogenic ratio compared to the control arm. There was no difference in median seizure frequency, proportion of responders (?50% seizure reduction), or median seizure reduction from baseline between groups. However, patients treated with KetoCal® during the first month were significantly more likely to continue MAD for 6 months or more.

CONCLUSION: Although supplementing MAD with a ketogenic formula in the first month did not increase the likelihood of reducing seizures compared to MAD alone, significantly more adults remained on MAD long-term with this approach. This suggests a potential strategy for encouraging compliance with MAD in adults with DRE.

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