A study of the quality of life in the epileptic patients

Epilepsy is a chronic disease, which has a major influence on the quality of life in the epileptic. Considering many aspects of epilepsy one can conclude that it has influential effects in multiple aspects of life in these patients. These aspects include physical and mental health, activities of daily living and social relations, mental capabilities, learning and different type of skills, etc. The aim of this research was to study the quality of life of the epileptic patients in our society, and compare these result with that of similar studies in other centers all around the world. This was a descriptive- cross sectional type of study. One hundred eight nine patients were enrolled according to the criteria of the International league Against Epilepsy (ILAE) for diagnosis of epilepsy. The inclusion criteria were, 1) the age over 18 years old 2) absence of mental or physical disabilities, so that precluding the study. The patients selected accordingly were interviewed using a standard questionnaire, Quality of life in Epilepsy (QOLIE- 31-P). Among 189 patients were 106 males (56.1%) and 83 females (43.9%). Total quality of life according to the score of QOLIE- 31-P was minimally 16.20 and maximally 87.5 with a mean of (50 14.59 SD).the mean score for men was (50 16.11 SD 16.2-85.35) and for females (49.28 14.47 SD 24.14-87.5), which showed no significant difference between sexes cp Value= 0.549). The mean score in the monotherapy group (52.95 16.22 SD) showed a significant difference in comparison to the poly therapy group with a mean score of (46.98 12.07 SD), (P Value=0.005), indicating a favorable profile for the former. There was no significant difference statistically with regard to age groups and educational status, but duration of the epilepsy less than one year had statistically significant better quality of life. The results of this study were compared with similar studies in other centers all over the world. The findings on the role of the sex of the patients was the same as the studies in the India and Georgian University, but were different to that of a European study of 15 countries. This may stem form cultural differences and beliefs. The effect of number of drugs used in treatment was similar to other studies. The care of the epileptic patients must take into account the many factors influencing the quality of life in these patients. Adhering to a monotherapy regimen by the physicians has an important role in improving the quality of life in the epileptics. The epilepsy because of its chronic course has an unfavorable long- term influence on the quality life of the patients.