TY - JOUR
T1 - Quality of life in seizure-free patients with epilepsy on monotherapy
AU - Auriel, Eitan
AU - Landov, Hagay
AU - Blatt, Ilan
AU - Theitler, Jacques
AU - Gandelman-Marton, Revital
AU - Chistik, Vladimir
AU - Margolin, Naum
AU - Gross, Bela
AU - Parmet, Yisrael
AU - Andelman, Fani
AU - Neufeld, Miri Y.
PY - 2009/1/1
Y1 - 2009/1/1
N2 - Epilepsy is a multifaceted chronic disorder which has diverse and complex effects on the well-being of the patient. Although it is evident that seizure type and frequency play a critical role in the quality of life (QOL) of patients with epilepsy, it is less clear what the major determinants are that influence QOL in seizure-free patients receiving monotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic factors influencing the QOL of seizure-free patients receiving monotherapy. All participants were patients from four medical centers who had epilepsy, were on monotherapy, and had been seizure-free for at least 1 year. Responders completed three questionnaires on demographic and clinical information, QOL, and antiepileptic drug (AED) side effects during routine follow-up visits in the epilepsy clinics. We present the data of 103 patients: 59 females (57.3%), mean age 37.75 ± 13.66 years. Treatment side effects and unemployment (p < 0.0001, p = 0.037, respectively) were significant predictors for poor overall QOL, whereas age, gender, education, family status, comorbidity, seizure type, age of seizure onset, and epilepsy duration did not significantly affect overall QOL. There was no significant difference in side effects and QOL between patients receiving older versus newer AEDs. Ninety-four (92.2%) patients reported experiencing at least one side effect of AEDs when queried about specific symptoms, while only 11 (10.7%) patients replied affirmatively when asked whether they experienced "any" side effects. The most common side effects involved the central nervous system. In conclusion, this study reveals that the most significant factor influencing the QOL in seizure-free patients on monotherapy is AED side effects. QOL is a crucial component in the clinical care of patients with epilepsy, and physicians should take the time to ask specific questions on side effects of AEDs.
AB - Epilepsy is a multifaceted chronic disorder which has diverse and complex effects on the well-being of the patient. Although it is evident that seizure type and frequency play a critical role in the quality of life (QOL) of patients with epilepsy, it is less clear what the major determinants are that influence QOL in seizure-free patients receiving monotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate demographic, clinical, and socioeconomic factors influencing the QOL of seizure-free patients receiving monotherapy. All participants were patients from four medical centers who had epilepsy, were on monotherapy, and had been seizure-free for at least 1 year. Responders completed three questionnaires on demographic and clinical information, QOL, and antiepileptic drug (AED) side effects during routine follow-up visits in the epilepsy clinics. We present the data of 103 patients: 59 females (57.3%), mean age 37.75 ± 13.66 years. Treatment side effects and unemployment (p < 0.0001, p = 0.037, respectively) were significant predictors for poor overall QOL, whereas age, gender, education, family status, comorbidity, seizure type, age of seizure onset, and epilepsy duration did not significantly affect overall QOL. There was no significant difference in side effects and QOL between patients receiving older versus newer AEDs. Ninety-four (92.2%) patients reported experiencing at least one side effect of AEDs when queried about specific symptoms, while only 11 (10.7%) patients replied affirmatively when asked whether they experienced "any" side effects. The most common side effects involved the central nervous system. In conclusion, this study reveals that the most significant factor influencing the QOL in seizure-free patients on monotherapy is AED side effects. QOL is a crucial component in the clinical care of patients with epilepsy, and physicians should take the time to ask specific questions on side effects of AEDs.
KW - Antiepileptic drugs
KW - Epilepsy
KW - Monotherapy
KW - Quality of life
KW - Seizure-free
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=58149149778&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.yebeh.2008.09.027
DO - 10.1016/j.yebeh.2008.09.027
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:58149149778
SN - 1525-5050
VL - 14
SP - 130
EP - 133
JO - Epilepsy and Behavior
JF - Epilepsy and Behavior
IS - 1
ER -