Abstract
We conducted this meta-analysis to assess the effects of sodium valproate (VPA)
monotherapy on blood liver enzymes in patients with epilepsy. PubMed, Web of
Science, EBSCO, Cochrane Library, Wanfang, China national knowledge
infrastructure databases were searched. Nine studies were included. Results
showed: (1) The overall SMD for blood AST, ALT, and GGT levels of VPA
monotherapy group versus control group were 0.70 (95% CI=0.31 to
1.09, Z=3.52, p=0.0004), 0.47 (95%
CI=− 0.01 to 0.95, Z=1.91, p=0.06), 0.44
(95% CI=0.29 to 0.60, Z=5.55, p<0.00001),
respectively. (2) In subgroup meta-analysis, increased blood AST and GGT levels
were observed in epileptic minors (AST: total SMD=0.85, 95%
CI=0.40 to 1.30, Z=3.69, p=0.0002; GGT: total
SMD=0.46, 95% CI=0.29 to 0.63, Z=5.25,
p<0.00001). Elevated blood ALT level was observed in Asian patients
receiving VPA monotherapy (total SMD=0.70, 95% CI=0.51
to 0.90, Z=7.01, p<0.00001), and the early stage of VPA
monotherapy (total SMD=0.93, 95% CI=0.57 to 1.29,
Z=5.09, p<0.00001). Overall, our results indicated that blood
AST and GGT were significantly increased in epileptic minors receiving VPA
monotherapy. The elevation of blood ALT was observed in Asian patients and the
early stage of VPA monotherapy. However, due to the small number of included
studies, our results should be considered with caution.
Key words
sodium valproate - epilepsy - therapy - liver enzymes
