The impact of seizures and adverse effects on global health ratings.
This study was undertaken to explore the perceived impact of having a seizure (SZ) compared with having an adverse effect (AE). Patients (N=201) with partial-onset epilepsy taking two or more antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) rated their health state from 0 to100 based on their health today, hypothetical health if experiencing a SZ today, and hypothetical health if experiencing an AE today. Overall health status ratings (HLTH) declined as SZ frequency increased (P=0.01). Perceived decrements in HLTH with SZs were greatest for patients with the least frequent SZs (P=0.001) and the most recent SZs (P=0.004). Perceived decrements in HLTH with SZs compared with AEs (SZ-AE) differed across SZ recency groups (P<0.05 except for muscle incoordination and weakness). Patients with the more remote SZs were most concerned with SZ control; patients with more recent SZs were more sensitive to AED side effects. These data provide insight into the risk-benefit concerns of patients at equipoise when addressing the efficacy and AEs of AEDs.
Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA. joyce.cramer@yale.edu
Joyce A
JA
Cramer
Nancy A
NA
Brandenburg
Xiao
X
Xu
Montserrat
M
Vera-Llonch
Gerry
G
Oster
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004828:Epilepsies, Partial / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D000927:Anticonvulsants