The Evaluation of the Quality of Life in Epileptic Patients : The Study of QOLIE(Quality of Life in Epilepsy)-89

Kim, Joon Tae; Shin, Dae Su; Kim, Jong Ki; Hwang, In Yong; Choi, Sung Min; Kim, Byeong Chae; Kim, Myeong Kyu; Cho, Ki Hyun

Abstract

PURPOSE: Patients with epilepsy experience the impairment of Quality of life (QOL). The objective of this study was to investigate the 'Quality of Life' in epileptic patients and the influences of clinical factors upon QOL in epileptic patients.
METHODS
Total 138 epileptic patients (male : 77, female : 61) were recruited for the study. The Quality of Life in Epilepsy (QOLIE)-89 was applied to evaluate QOL in epileptic patients. We gathered data about clinical variables (seizure type, frequency, duration of disease, number of antiepileptic drug, and depression) and socio-demographic variables (age, sex, marriage, employment, and education), and compared each variables in use of QOLIE-89 score.
RESULTS
Depression influenced negatively the most of all subscales (16 of 20 subscales) and overall score (p<0.01), and was the most significant inverse predictor of QOL in patients with epilepsy. Patients who were seizure-free in the past year reported better QOL than those with seizure-doing (p<0.05). Patients with polypharmacy showed lower scores at overall QOL, health discouragement, language, and overall score than those with monopharmacy (p<0.05). Male showed lower score than female at the scale of sexual relation (p<0.05), but higher scores at scales of health perception, overall health, and physical health (p<0.05). Highly-educated group (> or =16 year) had higher score at overall score and emotional well-being (p<0.05). However, age, marital state, employment, seizure type, and duration of disease did not affect QOL significantly.
CONCLUSIONS
Sex, education, number of AEDs, depression, and seizure free state were major socio-clinical factors affecting QOL in patients with epilepsy. It is suggested that physician should recognize these factors and manage appropriately for improving the QOL.