Health-related quality of life in adolescents with well-controlled epilepsy.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of the work described in this article was to evaluate the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of adolescents with well-controlled epilepsy.


METHODS
The Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory for Adolescents 48 (QOLIE-AD-48) was completed by 71 subjects with uncomplicated epilepsy who had been seizure-free for more than a year. HRQOL was measured in eight domains: Health Perception, Epilepsy Impact, Memory/Concentration, Physical Functioning, Stigma, Social Support, School Behavior, and Attitudes toward Epilepsy. In addition, antiepileptic drug (AED) therapy and concern over seizures recurring were analyzed in relation to HRQOL.


RESULTS
The mean HRQOL total scores were 83.9 for boys and 83.06 for girls. The highest scores were observed in the Physical Functioning and School Behavior domains; the lowest in the Attitudes toward Epilepsy domain. Girls reported more positive perceptions in the Stigma and Social Support domains. Greater intake of AEDs and concern over seizures recurring accounted for poorer HRQOL.


CONCLUSIONS
Adolescents with favorable seizure control evaluated their HRQOL as satisfactory. However, they perceived their best adjustment to epilepsy to be in the Physical Functioning and School Behavior domains. AED intake and concern over seizures recurring were predictors of HRQOL in this group.
Stevanovic
Dejan
D
Health Care Center, Street Mostonga 35, 25 250 Odzaci, Serbia. dejanstevanovic@eunet.yu
D000293:Adolescent; D017668:Age of Onset; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011788:Quality of Life; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012649:Self Concept; D012917:Social Adjustment; D015022:Yugoslavia
D000927:Anticonvulsants