Negative symptoms and psychosocial status in temporal lobe epilepsy.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the relationship between negative symptoms, psychosocial function and quality of life in temporal lobe epilepsy.


METHODS
23 patients with temporal lobe epilepsy with negative symptoms were matched on gender, age, years of education, duration and age of epilepsy onset with 23 temporal lobe epilepsy patients exhibiting no negative symptoms as determined by a standardized rating system (SANS/SAPS). The matched groups were compared in regard to: (1). employment status, (2). dependence on government financial subsidy, (3). relationship/marital status, and (4). self-reported quality of life.


RESULTS
Temporal lobe epilepsy patients with negative symptoms exhibited higher rates of unemployment, dependence on government aid, social isolation, and poorer self-reported quality of life relative to temporal lobe patients without negative symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Interictal negative symptoms are associated with significantly increased psychosocial morbidity and poorer quality of life in temporal lobe epilepsy.
Getz
Kiesa
K
Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin, C G Matthews Neuropsychology Lab, 600 N Highland Avenue, Madison, WI 53792, USA.
Hermann
Bruce
B
Seidenberg
Michael
M
Bell
Brian
B
Dow
Christian
C
Jones
Jana
J
Woodard
Austin
A
D000328:Adult; D004833:Epilepsy, Temporal Lobe / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D008875:Middle Aged; D011584:Psychology; D011632:Public Assistance; D011788:Quality of Life; D012934:Social Isolation; D012944:Social Support; D014478:Unemployment