[The use of lamotrigine in the psychosocial readaptation of patients with epilepsy].
OBJECTIVE
Epilepsy is a chronic illness which causes psychosocial problems in the patients affected. These disorders may be investigated by using the Washington Psychosocial Inventory (WPSI). We wish to show the variables which affect the WPSI most and also the changes seen in the results of this test and the control of seizures after treatment with lamotrigine for a year.


METHODS
Using the WPSI, we studied 70 patients in the epilepsy outpatient clinic of the Psychiatric Hospital in La Habana during the period February-March 1998. The results of the WPSI were analysed according to the following variables: cerebral lesion, age of onset of epilepsy, frequency of seizures, more than one seizure per patient, and the antiepileptic drug used. The patients were followed-up during one year of treatment with lamotrigine, and the WPSI was repeated after one year (in March 1999). The following statistical tests were used to find the level of significance: variance analysis, standard deviation, chi deviation and difference between means.


RESULTS
The WPSI showed initially, at almost all levels, poor scoring; 48.86% had generally poor psychosocial function (FPG). Only the greater frequency of seizures significantly altered the WPSI. After treatment with lamotrigine for one year there was better seizure control, a better WPSI result and only 11.43% had poor FPG.


CONCLUSIONS
We consider that the high frequency of seizures is the variable which most affects the WPSI and that lamotrigine is useful both for control of epileptic seizures and to obtain psychosocial rehabilitation.
González-Pal
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Servicio de Epilepsia, Hospital Psiquiátrico de la Habana, Ciudad de la Habana, Cuba. sglezpal@infomed.sld.cu
Quintana
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J
Fabelo
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Rivero
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D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D000077213:Lamotrigine; D008297:Male; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014227:Triazines / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D000927:Anticonvulsants; D014227:Triazines; D000077213:Lamotrigine