Epilepsy and quality of life: socio-demographic and clinical aspects, and psychiatric co-morbidity

Abstract

Epileptic patients suffer from prejudice and limitations that can compromise their social integration, and hence present a greater incidence of psychiatric co-morbidities when compared to the general population and to individuals with other chronic diseases [1][2][3] .It is known that epilepsy has a great impact on the quality of life (QoL) [4][5][6] . However, how the socio-demographic variables, clinical aspects of epilepsy and the psychiatric co-morbidities act on the QoL has still not been completely elucidated, nor which specific domains would be more involved 5,7-10 .The performance of epileptic individuals is inferior in QoL evaluations and diverges in various aspects from that of individuals with other chronic diseases 5,11 or from that of the general population 6,7,12 .Among specific instruments for epilepsy, the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31) 13 is one of the most used instruments, and was validated in 2007 for use in the Brazilian population 14 .The QoL scales possess a subjective construct and, if evaluated judiciously, can provide contributions for medical orientation and can influence health practices and policies.Study carried out at Faculdade de Medicina, Pontifícia Universidade Católica de Campinas (PUC-Campinas), Campinas SP, Brazil. ABSTRACTObjective: To study socio-demographic and clinical aspects, as well as psychiatric co-morbidity that influence the quality of life of adult epileptic patients. Methods: One hundred and thirty-two individuals diagnosed with epilepsy were evaluated from neurological/clinical and psychiatric points of view and by the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31). Predictive factors for the QOLIE-31 scores were studied. Results: The regression analyses indicated the existence of psychiatric co-morbidity (total score, seizure worry, emotional well-being, energy/fatigue, social function and cognitive function) and a greater seizure frequency (total score, cognitive function and energy/fatigue) as predictive factors for lower scores in the total QOLIE-31 score and in various dimensions. Abnormalities in the neurological exam and polytherapy with anti-epileptic drugs were negative factors limited to one of the dimensions cognitive function and social function, respectively. Conclusion: The presence of psychiatric co-morbidity and a greater seizure frequency were the main factors influencing the quality of life in epileptic patients as evaluated by QOLIE-31.Key words: epilepsy, epileptic syndrome, quality of life. RESUMOObjetivo: Estudar os aspectos sociodemográficos, clínicos e comorbidades psiquiátricas que influenciam a qualidade de vida de pacientes adultos com epilepsia. Métodos: Cento e trinta e dois indivíduos com diagnóstico de epilepsia foram avaliados do ponto de vista clínico-neurológico e psiquiátrico e pelo Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31). Foram estudados os fatores preditores dos escores do QOLIE-31. Resultados: As análises de regressão indicaram a existência de comorbidade psiquiátrica (escore total, crises epilé...

The quality of life of older adults with epilepsy: A systematic review

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Influence of Marital Status on the Quality of Life of Chinese Adult Patients with Epilepsy

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Interictal psychiatric comorbidities of drug-resistant focal epilepsy: Prevalence and influence of the localization of the epilepsy

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