Therapeutic Success of the Ketogenic Diet as a Treatment Option for Epilepsy: a Meta-analysis

authors:

avatar Yan Zou 1 , * , avatar Hai-feng Li 2 , avatar Gangqiang Ding 3

Iranian Journal of Pediatrics: Vol.23, issue 6; 613-620
published online: October 07, 2013
article type: Review Article
received: January 10, 2013
accepted: September 13, 2013

how to cite: Zou Y, Li H, Ding G. Therapeutic Success of the Ketogenic Diet as a Treatment Option for Epilepsy: a Meta-analysis. Iran J Pediatr. 2013;23(6): 613-620. 

Abstract

Objective: To systematically evaluate therapeutic success of the ketogenic diet (KD) as a treatment option for epilepsy. Methods: Using MEDLINE and Google Scholar search, we searched for studies investigating the therapeutic success of ketogenic diet for epilepsy. We estimated therapeutic success rate for ketogenic diet as a treatment option for epilepsy and its 95% CIs using generic inverse variance method. Findings: A total of 38 studies met the inclusion criteria. In retrospective studies, the weighted success rate of the patients who take the KD as a treatment option for epilepsy was 58.4%  (95% confidence interval (95%CI)=48.7% - 69.9%) at 3 months  (n=336); 42.8%  (95%CI =36.3% - 50.3%) at 6 months  (n=492), and 30.1%  (95%CI =24.3% - 37.2%) at 12 months  (n=387); in prospective studies, weighted success rate was 53.9%  (95%CI 45.5% - 63.8%) at 3 months  (n=474); 53.2% (95%CI =44.0% - 64.2%) at 6 months  (n=321), and 55.0%  (95%CI =45.9% - 65.9%) at 12 months  (n=347). Conclusion: This meta-analysis provides formal statistical support for the efficacy of the ketogenic diet in the treatment of epileptic patients.
 

Fulltext

Click here to download PDF.

References

  • 1.

    References are available on the PDF.