Efficacy of and patient compliance with a ketogenic diet in adults with intractable epilepsy: a meta-analysis.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:

Despite the successful use of a ketogenic diet in pediatric epilepsy, its application in adults has been limited. The aim of this meta-analysis was to summarize the findings of relevant published studies in order to identify the efficacy of and compliance with a ketogenic diet and its main subtypes (i.e., classic ketogenic diet and modified Atkins diet) in adults with intractable epilepsy, and to provide useful information for clinical practice.

METHODS:

Electronic searches of PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and the ISI Web of Science were conducted to identify studies of the efficacy of and patient compliance with a ketogenic diet in adults with intractable epilepsy; the included studies were reviewed. Meta-analyses were performed using STATA to determine combined efficacy rates and combined rates of compliance with the ketogenic diet and its main subtypes.

RESULTS:

In total, 12 studies qualified for inclusion, and data from 270 patients were evaluated.The results of the meta-analysis revealed combined efficacy rates of all types of ketogenic diet, a classical ketogenic diet, and a modified Atkins diet were 42%, 52%, and 34%, respectively; the corresponding combined compliance rates were 45%, 38%, and 56%.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results indicate that a ketogenic diet is a promising complementary therapy in adult intractable epilepsy, and that while a classical ketogenic diet may be more effective, adult patients are likely to be less compliant with it than with a modified Atkins diet.

• Authors: Fang Ye, Xiao-Jia Li, Wan-Lin Jiang, Hong-Bin Sun, Jie Liu
• Journal: Journal of clinical neurology (Seoul, Korea) (J Clin Neurol) Vol. 11 Issue 1 Pg. 26-31 (Jan 2015) ISSN: 1738-6586 [Print] Korea (South)
• PMID: 25628734 (Publication Type: Journal Article)