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

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.

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Tedrus,Gloria Maria de Almeida Souza, Fonseca,Lineu Correa, Carvalho,Rachel Marin
Format: Digital revista
Language:English
Published: Academia Brasileira de Neurologia - ABNEURO 2013
Online Access:http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S0004-282X2013000600385
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