Factors associated with quality of life in a low-income population with epilepsy.
Currently few studies describe the variables that impact quality of life (QoL) in patients with epilepsy in low-income populations. The study aimed to establish relationships between QoL scores obtained through the QOLIE-10 inventory and clinical variables in patients older than 18 years diagnosed with epilepsy.



We conducted an observational, descriptive, and cross-sectional study. We conducted consecutive recruitment of the data for all patients with an epilepsy diagnosis who were treated in the neurology department of Kennedy Western Hospital located in Bogota, Colombia. The variables that were statistically significant in the bivariate analysis were included in a multiple linear regression model.



220 patients were evaluated. The 50th percentile of the total score of the QOLIE-10 scale was 70 (95% CI: 67,5-75). The demographic profile was characterized by low level of education, unemployment, and single marital status. The variables included in the regression model that significantly affected QoL were depression (p<0.001), severe daytime sleepiness (p=0.030), structural/metabolic etiology of epilepsy (p=0.021), drug resistant epilepsy (p=0.015), and epilepsy with undetermined antiepileptic drug response (p=0.007).



The QoL in patients with epilepsy from a low-economic population is determined primarily by depression, severe daytime sleepiness, etiology of epilepsy (structural/metabolic etiology), and the type of therapeutic response to antiepileptic drugs (drug resistant epilepsy and undetermined antiepileptic drug response). These data suggest the need to promote early diagnosis and treatment of psychiatric comorbidities and sleep disorders, as well as effective and timely therapeutic interventions to prevent drug resistance in epilepsy.
University of La Sabana, Medical School, Neurology Postgraduate Department, Bogotá, Colombia; Kennedy Western Hospital, Neurology Department, Bogotá, Colombia. Electronic address: camilo_jovel@hotmail.com.
Camilo Alfonso
CA
Espinosa Jovel
University of La Sabana, Medical School, Bogotá, Colombia.
Sergio
S
Ramírez Salazar
University of La Sabana, Medical School, Bogotá, Colombia.
Carlos
C
Rincón Rodríguez
University of La Sabana, Medical School, Neurology Postgraduate Department, Bogotá, Colombia; Kennedy Western Hospital, Neurology Department, Bogotá, Colombia.
Fidel Ernesto
FE
Sobrino Mejía
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000927:Anticonvulsants / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015897:Comorbidity; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003865:Major Depressive Disorder / Q000453:epidemiology; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011203:Poverty; D011788:Quality of Life; D012893:Sleep Wake Disorders / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D055815:Young Adult
D000927:Anticonvulsants
Daytime sleepiness; Depression; Epilepsy; Low income; Quality of life