J Korean Epilepsy Soc.
2009 Dec;13(2):42-46.
Factors Influencing on Fatigue in Patients with Epilepsy
- Affiliations
-
- 1Department of Neurology, Kosin University College of Medicine, Busan, Korea. nekim@ns.kosinmed.or.kr
Abstract
- PURPOSE
Fatigue is defined as a tired feeling, lack of energy, or feeling of exhaustion. Antiepileptic drugs, seizure and frequent interictal epileptiform activity can cause fatigue in epilepsy patients. The aim of this study is to determine the rate of fatigue and to assess the influence of clinical and demographic factors on fatigue in patients with epilepsy.
METHODS
Fatigue was evaluated in 39 epilepsy patients by using Fatigue Severity Scale (FSS). Multiple regression analysis was performed to assess the influence of different factors on fatigue.
RESULTS
In patients with epilepsy the mean score of FSS was 4.54+/-1.69, and the rate of fatigue was 66.7%. Among these patients, 23.1% had medium fatigue, and 43.6% had serious fatigue. The variable that strongly predicted a high FSS mean score was high seizure frequency.
Conclusion
Fatigue is very common, and seizure frequency is an important factor influencing on fatigue in epilepsy patients.
