Quality of life of patients with epilepsy (Hungarian survey)

Health-related quality of life and medication adherence of people living with epilepsy in Pakistan: A cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION

The primary purpose of this study was to determine adherence and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in PWE. Secondary aims were to assess association between adherence and HRQoL and determine predictors of HRQoL in PWE in Pakistan.

METHODS

A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among PWE receiving treatment from two tertiary care hospitals of Pakistan. The HRQoL and adherence were assessed with Urdu versions of Quality of Life in Epilepsy-31 (QOLIE-31), and Medication Adherence Rating Scale (MARS). Relationship between HRQoL and adherence was assessed by Pearson's product-moment correlation coefficient. Forced entry multiple linear models were used to determine relationship of independent variables with HRQoL.

RESULTS

219 PWE with a mean (±standard deviation) age, 34.18 (± 13.710) years, participated in this study. The overall weighted mean HRQoL score was (51.60 ± 17.10), and mean score for adherence was 6.17 (± 2.31). There was significant association between adherence and HRQoL in PWE (Pearson's correlation = 0.820-0.930; p ≤ .0001). Multiple linear regression found adherence (B = 16.8; p ≤ .0001), male gender (B = 10.0; p = .001), employment status (employed: B = 7.50; p = .030), level of education (Tertiary: B = 0.910; p = .010), duration of epilepsy (>10 years: B = -0.700; p ≤ .0001), and age (≥46 years: B = -0.680; p ≤ .0001), and ASM therapy (polypharmacy: B = 0.430; p = .010) as independent predictors of HRQoL in PWE from Pakistan.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings suggest PWE from our center have suboptimal adherence which affects HRQoL. Independent factors such as male gender, employment status and duration of epilepsy are predictors of HRQoL.

Validity and Reliability of the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31) for Turkey

INTRODUCTION

The purpose of this study was to evaluate reliability and validity of the 31-item Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31) in Turkish epileptic patients.

METHODS

This study was performed methodologically. To standardize the inventory, using a standard "forward-backward" translation and cultural adaptation procedure the English version of the QOLIE-31 was translated to Turkish. Language equivalence of the scale was provided. The opinions of experts were considered regarding the content validity of the scale. Reliability of the scale was determined with the test-retest reliability, item-total correlation and internal consistency analysis. For the construct validity, QOLIE-31 was compared with Nottingham Health Profile (NHP) scale and pre validity was determined.

RESULTS

One hundred and forty-eight epileptic patients (62 females, 86 males), with a mean age of 32.5 (SD: 10.71) years were enrolled in the study. Content Validity Index of instrument was .85. Alpha reliability was .91. Item-total correlations were between .46 and .74 (p=.001). The mean score for the quality of life of epileptic patients was found to be moderate level (56.4; SD: 17.3). The mean score of Seizure Worry subscale was the lowest (48.9, SD: 29.82), while social function subscale (60.1, SD: 20.12) was found to be highest. As expected, correlations between QOLIE-31 and NHP subscales were fairly strong, particularly between those subscales with close or interdependent content. Thus, Emotional Well-Being correlated with NHP Emotional Reactions, Social Isolation and Pain; Social Function with NHP Social Isolation and Physical Mobility; Seizure Worry with NHP Social Isolation and Emotional Reactions; and Cognitive Function with NHP Energy, Emotional Reactions and Pain.

CONCLUSION

The Turkish version of the QOLIE-31 questionnaire has good structural characteristics, is a reliable and valid instrument and can be used for measuring the effect of epilepsy on the quality of life.