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Biochemical assessment of patients following ketogenic diets for epilepsy: current practice in the UK and Ireland
Schoeler, Natasha Simpson, Zoe Whiteley, Victoria Nguyen, Patty Meskell, Rachel Lightfoot, Kathryn Martin-McGill, Kirsty J. Olpin, Simon Ivison, Fiona
Schoeler, Natasha
Simpson, Zoe
Whiteley, Victoria
Nguyen, Patty
Meskell, Rachel
Lightfoot, Kathryn
Martin-McGill, Kirsty J.
Olpin, Simon
Ivison, Fiona
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Abstract
Objective: Biochemical assessment is recommended for patients prior to initiating and following a ketogenic diet (KD). There is no published literature regarding current practice in the UK and Ireland. We aimed to explore practice in comparison to international guidelines, determine approximate costs of biochemical testing in KD patients across the UK and Ireland, and promote greater consistency in KD services nationally.
Methods: A survey was designed to determine the biochemical tests requested for patients at baseline, 3-, 6-, 12-, 18- and 24-months+ on KD. The survey was circulated to 39 centres across the UK and Ireland.
Results: 16 centres completed the survey. Full blood count, electrolytes, calcium, liver function tests (LFTs), lipid profile and vitamin D were requested at all centres at baseline, in keeping with international guidelines. Bicarbonate, total protein and urinalysis were less consistently requested. Magnesium and zinc were requested by all centres, despite not being specifically recommended for pre-diet evaluation in guidelines.
Urea and electrolyte profiles and some LFTs were consistently requested at follow-up, in accordance with guidelines. Other LFTs and renal tests, full blood count, lipid profile, acylcarnitine profile, selenium, vitamin D and urinalysis were less consistently requested at follow-up.
The mean costs of the lowest and highest number of tests requested at baseline in our participating centres was £167.54 and £501.93; the mean costs of the lowest and highest number of tests requested at 3-month follow-up was £19.17 and £450.06.
Significance: Biochemical monitoring of KD patients varies widely across the UK and Ireland and does not fully correspond to international best practice guidelines. With an ongoing drive for cost-effectiveness within healthcare, further work is needed to streamline practice whilst ensuring patient safety.
Citation
Schoeler, N., Simpson, Z., Whiteley, V., Nguyen, P., Meskell, R., Lightfoot, K., ... Ivison, F. (2020). Biochemical assessment of patients following ketogenic diets for epilepsy: current practice in the UK and Ireland. Epilepsia Open, 5(1), 73-79. https://doi.org/10.1002/epi4.12371
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Wiley
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Epilepsia Open
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This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Schoeler, N., Simpson, Z., Whiteley, V., Nguyen, P., Meskell, R., Lightfoot, K., Martin-McGill, K., ... Ivison, F. (2019). Biochemical assessment of patients following ketogenic diets for epilepsy: Current practice in the UK and Ireland, Epilepsia Open, which has been published in final form at https://doi.org/10.1002/epi4.12371. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Use of Self-Archived Versions.
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2470-9239