This presentation, led by Natasha Schoeler and colleagues from the Ketogenic Dietitians Research Network, explores the long-term effectiveness of ketogenic diet therapy (KDT) for drug-resistant epilepsy after discontinuation. Drawing on data from 97 individuals across 9 centres, this review aims to identify the proportion of patients who maintain seizure reduction post-KDT and the factors that influence long-term response.
Key topics include:
- Long-term response: Analysis of patients who maintained ≥50% seizure reduction after stopping KDT and the likelihood of maintaining response without additional anti-seizure treatments.
- Predictive factors: How seizure freedom during diet therapy impacts the probability of maintaining seizure control post-diet, and the risks of seizure recurrence for those who did not achieve seizure freedom.
- Clinical implications: Practical considerations for guiding patients and families on the long-term outcomes of KDT and realistic cost assessments for KDT services.
This multi-centre case note review provides valuable insights for clinicians in supporting patient and family expectations regarding long-term seizure management with KDT.