Importance of some clinical factors (epilepsy duration, clusters of seizures and/or epileptic status, type of epilepsy, type of seizures, mono-/polytherapy) for the quality of life of patients with refractory epilepsy

Abstract

To assess the impact of the duration of epilepsy, the clusters of seizures and/or epileptic status, the type of epilepsy and seizures, and the mono-/ polytherapy on the quality of life (QOL) of Bulgarian patients with refractory epilepsy (RE). Seventy patients with RE were studied using a purposeful interview on the patients’ disease course, as well as an exam of the patients’ medical documentation. All study participants completed QOLIE-89. The greater duration of epilepsy has a negative impact on the assessments of the change in health during the last year. Seizure clusters and/or epileptic status in the disease course are associated with lower assessments of the sexual relations. The type of epilepsy has an impact on: 1. Seizure worries – participants with generalized epilepsy have less worries; 2. The overall score of QOLIE-89 – the patients with partial epilepsy make lower assessments. An impact of the seizure type on the subscale “Overall health” has been demonstrated. The lowest scores are given by the patients having partial seizures with secondary generalization. The highest scores are given by the participants having generalized tonic-clonic seizures, generalized myoclonic seizures, and polymorphic seizures. The prescribed treatment as mono-/polytherapy has an impact on the assessments of the overall health − the scores were higher in cases with polytherapy. The clinical factors duration of epilepsy, clusters of seizures and/ or epileptic status, type of epilepsy, type of seizures, mono-/polytherapy have an impact on single aspects of the QOL of the patients with RE.