title: Epilepsy and quality of life: socio-demographic and clinical aspects, and psychiatric co-morbidity.
abstract: Objective To study socio-demographic and clinical aspects, as well as psychiatric co-morbidity that influence the quality of life of adult epileptic patients. Methods One hundred and thirty-two individuals diagnosed with epilepsy were evaluated from neurological/clinical and psychiatric points of view and by the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31). Predictive factors for the QOLIE-31 scores were studied. Results The regression analyses indicated the existence of psychiatric co-morbidity (total score, seizure worry, emotional well-being, energy/fatigue, social function and cognitive function) and a greater seizure frequency (total score, cognitive function and energy/fatigue) as predictive factors for lower scores in the total QOLIE-31 score and in various dimensions. Abnormalities in the neurological exam and poly-therapy with anti-epileptic drugs were negative factors limited to one of the dimensions cognitive function and social function, respectively. Conclusion The presence of psychiatric co-morbidity and a greater seizure frequency were the main factors influencing the quality of life in epileptic patients as evaluated by QOLIE-31.
authors.affiliation: Faculdade de Medicina, PUC-Campinas, Campinas,SP, Brazil. gmtedrus@uol.com.br
authors.forename: Gloria Maria de Almeida Souza
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Tedrus
authors.forename: Lineu Corrêa
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Fonseca
authors.forename: Rachel Marin
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Carvalho
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003071:Cognition / Q000502:physiology; D015897:Comorbidity; D003863:Depression / Q000523:psychology; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology*; D012016:Reference Values; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors