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

• Published in: Arquivos de neuro-psiquiatria Vol. 71; no. 6; pp. 385 - 391
• Main Authors: Tedrus, Gloria Maria de Almeida Souza, Fonseca, Lineu Corrêa, Carvalho, Rachel Marin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Brazil Academia Brasileira de Neurologia - ABNEURO 01-06-2013; Academia Brasileira de Neurologia (ABNEURO)
• Subjects: Adult; Cognition - physiology; Comorbidity; Depression - psychology; Epidemiologic Methods; epilepsia; Epilepsy - physiopathology; Epilepsy - psychology; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; NEUROSCIENCES; Personality Inventory; PSYCHIATRY; qualidade de vida; Quality of Life - psychology; Reference Values; sindrome epileptica; Socioeconomic Factors; epilepsy; epileptic syndrome; epilepsia; qualidade de vida; quality of life; sindrome epileptica
• ISSN: 0004-282X; 1678-4227; 1678-4227; 0004-282X
• DOI: 10.1590/0004-282X20130044

Objective 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 poly-therapy 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.