Factors Associated with Quality of Life in Adult Epilepsy Patients: a Hospital Based Study from South India

Background: Epilepsy is a chronic condition which affects quality of life (QOL). QOL is considered as an important outcome measure and component of management in studies of adult epilepsy. Objective: To evaluate factors associated with quality of life in adult epilepsy patients. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed to examine the quality of life in 560 adult patients with epilepsy. The data collected included detailed clinical and socio-demographic data, epilepsy details, psychiatric diagnosis (ICD-10 for Mental and behavioral disorders), Liverpool seizure severity scale (LSSS) and Quality of life in epilepsy (QOLIE-31) are assessed. Descriptive statistics-Percentages, ANOVA, Univariate odds and Multiple Logistic Regression analysis with step-down procedure were done. Results: Study population comprised 337 males and 223 females with mean age of 29.26 + 10.83 (range 18-50) years. On Univariate Odds ratio (OR) (95% CI) for single anti-epileptic drug (AED) 2.75(1.85 to 4.09) and absence of psychiatric diagnosis 1.60(1.02 to 2.53) are predictors for good QOL. On one-way ANOVA with QOLIE subscales, seizure frequency and psychiatric diagnosis were found to be statistically significant (p<0.01) but no significant interaction between them. On Logistic Regression step down procedure, psychiatric diagnosis (OR 95% C.I) 7.29(1.65 to 32.10) and multiple AED 1.86(1.24 to 3.51) was found to be predicting factors for poor QOLIE. Conclusion: The presence of psychiatric diagnosis (Depression and Anxiety) was the strongest predictor of poor QOLIE patients. Early psychiatric evaluation and intervention would improve quality of life in epilepsy patients.