Factors associated with utilization of healthcare resources among epilepsy patients.
OBJECTIVE
To determine those variables associated with utilization of healthcare resources in epilepsy patients.


METHODS
We interviewed 256 epilepsy patients. Target variables included the number of clinic visits, ER visits and in-patient admissions over the past year and AEDs currently being used. Predictor variables were age, race/ethnicity, marital status, education, income, insurance, seizure frequency and QOLIE-10 results. We used univariate analysis to determine those factors associated with the target variables and multivariate analysis to ascertain those independently significant.


RESULTS
On univariate analysis, higher seizure frequency and poorer QOLIE-10 scores were associated with the number of clinic visits, ER visits and in-patient admissions. Increased seizure frequency and male gender were associated with higher use of AEDs. Using ordinal logistic regression, QOLIE-10 scores was the only variable associated with the number of clinic visits. Both seizure frequency and QOLIE-10 scores were independently associated with the number of in-patient admissions while seizure frequency and male gender remained independently associated with AED use. Using binary logistic regression, QOLIE-10 scores and seizure frequency were independently associated with the number of ER visits.


CONCLUSIONS
Seizure frequency and quality of life are major factors associated with utilization of healthcare resources in epilepsy patients.
Bautista
Ramon Edmundo D
RE
Department of Neurology, University of Florida Health Sciences Center Jacksonville, Jacksonville, FL 32209, United States. ramon.bautista@jax.ufl.edu
Glen
E Tannahill
ET
Wludyka
Peter S
PS
Shetty
Namrata K
NK
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D004363:Drug Utilization; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000191:economics* / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006295:Health Resources / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D000927:Anticonvulsants