INTRODUCTION: Sleep disorders are frequent among patients with epilepsy and are correlated with a poorer quality of life. AIMS: To evaluate the prevalence of sleep disorders in patients with refractory and non-refractory focal epilepsy, and to explore the influence of these alterations on the quality of life of these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An epidemiological, controlled, cross-sectional study was conducted in 150 outpatient neurology services. Patients who had been treated with two antiepileptic drugs since the onset of the disease (18-55 years) were recruited for the study. RESULTS: The sample included 237 patients with non-refractory focal epilepsy and 264 patients with refractory focal epilepsy. Twenty-two per cent of the non-refractory epilepsy group and 45% of the group with refractory epilepsy (p < 0.0001) suffered from some sleep disorder. The patients with refractory epilepsy had a poorer quality of life (p < 0.001) as measured with the quality of life questionnaire QOLIE-10. A positive significant correlation was observed between quality of life and quality of sleep, in both chronic insomnia (r = 0.65; p < 0.0001) and excessive daytime sleepiness (r = 0.43; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: Sleep disorders are more frequent in refractory than in non-refractory epilepsy, and affect the patients' quality of life.
INTRODUCTION:Sleep disorders are frequent among patients with epilepsy and are correlated with a poorer quality of life. AIMS: To evaluate the prevalence of sleep disorders in patients with refractory and non-refractory focal epilepsy, and to explore the influence of these alterations on the quality of life of these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An epidemiological, controlled, cross-sectional study was conducted in 150 outpatient neurology services. Patients who had been treated with two antiepileptic drugs since the onset of the disease (18-55 years) were recruited for the study. RESULTS: The sample included 237 patients with non-refractory focal epilepsy and 264 patients with refractory focal epilepsy. Twenty-two per cent of the non-refractory epilepsy group and 45% of the group with refractory epilepsy (p < 0.0001) suffered from some sleep disorder. The patients with refractory epilepsy had a poorer quality of life (p < 0.001) as measured with the quality of life questionnaire QOLIE-10. A positive significant correlation was observed between quality of life and quality of sleep, in both chronic insomnia (r = 0.65; p < 0.0001) and excessive daytime sleepiness (r = 0.43; p < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS:Sleep disorders are more frequent in refractory than in non-refractory epilepsy, and affect the patients' quality of life.