Jeremy M Welton1, Christine Walker2, Kate Riney3, Alvin Ng4, Lisa Todd5, Wendyl J D'Souza6. 1. UCB Pharma, Level 1/1155 Malvern Rd, Malvern, VIC 3144, Australia. Electronic address: Jeremy.Welton@ucb.com. 2. Chronic Illness Alliance, 587 Canterbury Rd, Surrey Hills, VIC 3127, Australia. Electronic address: cwalker@chronicillness.org.au. 3. Queensland Children's Hospital, 501 Stanley St, South Brisbane, QLD 4101, Australia; University of Queensland School of Clinical Medicine, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. Electronic address: drkateriney@qldkidsneuro.com. 4. Costello Medical Singapore Pte Ltd, 133 New Bridge Road #23-01/02, Chinatown Point, 059413, Singapore. Electronic address: alvin.ng@costellomedical.com. 5. Epilepsy Action Australia, 1/1 Lucknow Rd, North Ryde, NSW 2113, Australia. Electronic address: LTodd@epilepsy.org.au. 6. The Department of Medicine, St Vincent's Hospital, 41 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, VIC 3065, Australia; The University of Melbourne, Grattan Street, Parkville, VIC 3010, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the quality of life (QoL) of adult patients with epilepsy (PwE) in Australia and its relationship with comorbidities and adverse events (AEs) from antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). METHODS: Cross-sectional surveys were completed by PwE, or carer proxies, recruited via the online pharmacy application MedAdvisor and Australian PwE Facebook groups from May to August 2018. Data were collected on demographics, epilepsy severity and management, AEs, comorbidities, and QoL (using the Patient-Weighted Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory [QOLIE-10-P] total score). Two linear regression models were constructed to explore associations between AEs or comorbidities and QOLIE-10-P score, with possible confounders determined using stepwise selection. RESULTS: Nine hundred and seventy-eight of 1267 responses were eligible (mean age of respondents: 44.5 years, 64% female, 52% employed). Recent AED use was reported by 97%; 47% were on AED monotherapy, 35% had ≤2 lifetime AEDs, and 55% were seizure-free for >1 year. After stepwise selection, control variables included in both models were time since diagnosis, employment status, seizure frequency, number of currently prescribed AEDs, and number of general practitioner (GP) visits per year. In the model for comorbidities, "psychiatric disorders" was associated with the largest QOLIE-10-P score decrease (-23.14, p < 0.001). In the model for AEs, which additionally controlled for depression and anxiety disorder, self-reported "memory problems" was associated with the largest decrease in QOLIE-10-P score (-14.27, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this survey of Australian PwE, many of whom had relatively well-controlled epilepsy, psychiatric and self-reported memory problems were common and associated with the greatest detrimental impact on QoL. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying causes of impaired QoL and thereby improve its management.
OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to explore the quality of life (QoL) of adult patients with epilepsy (PwE) in Australia and its relationship with comorbidities and adverse events (AEs) from antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). METHODS: Cross-sectional surveys were completed by PwE, or carer proxies, recruited via the online pharmacy application MedAdvisor and Australian PwE Facebook groups from May to August 2018. Data were collected on demographics, epilepsy severity and management, AEs, comorbidities, and QoL (using the Patient-Weighted Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory [QOLIE-10-P] total score). Two linear regression models were constructed to explore associations between AEs or comorbidities and QOLIE-10-P score, with possible confounders determined using stepwise selection. RESULTS: Nine hundred and seventy-eight of 1267 responses were eligible (mean age of respondents: 44.5 years, 64% female, 52% employed). Recent AED use was reported by 97%; 47% were on AED monotherapy, 35% had ≤2 lifetime AEDs, and 55% were seizure-free for >1 year. After stepwise selection, control variables included in both models were time since diagnosis, employment status, seizure frequency, number of currently prescribed AEDs, and number of general practitioner (GP) visits per year. In the model for comorbidities, "psychiatric disorders" was associated with the largest QOLIE-10-P score decrease (-23.14, p < 0.001). In the model for AEs, which additionally controlled for depression and anxiety disorder, self-reported "memory problems" was associated with the largest decrease in QOLIE-10-P score (-14.27, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this survey of Australian PwE, many of whom had relatively well-controlled epilepsy, psychiatric and self-reported memory problems were common and associated with the greatest detrimental impact on QoL. Further research is needed to better understand the underlying causes of impaired QoL and thereby improve its management.
Authors: Mary Jo Pugh; Eamonn Kennedy; James J Gugger; Jamie Mayo; David Tate; Alicia Swan; Jacob Kean; Hamada Altalib; Shaila Gowda; Alan Towne; Sidney Hinds; Anne Van Cott; Maria R Lopez; Carlos A Jaramillo; Blessen C Eapen; Randall R McCafferty; Martin Salinsky; Joyce Cramer; Katherine K McMillan; Andrea Kalvesmaki; Ramon Diaz-Arrastia Journal: J Neurotrauma Date: 2021-10-15 Impact factor: 4.869