Health concerns predicts poor quality of life in well-controlled epilepsy

PurposeMost studies of quality of life (QOL) in seizure-free epilepsy patients suggest normal or near-normal function. Previous studies on QOL in well-controlled epilepsy have not investigated determinants for QOL from a database that includes a wide range of health related and epilepsy related variables, as well as demographical data, neuropsychological data, data from a comprehensive personality inventory and results from a QOL-questionnaire. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze predictors of QOL based on such a range of variables.MethodsAdults with epilepsy on antiepileptic (AED) monotherapy and without epileptic seizures for at least 2 years (n = 158) were assessed with the QOLIE-89.ResultsThe main findings were that QOL in well-controlled epilepsy patients was in the normal range and that presence of substantial health related concerns was a significant predictor of poor QOL.DiscussionThe findings that substantial health concerns predict poor QOL may have clinical implications, as seizure-free epilepsy is a relatively benign condition, and careful information and counselling about this may alleviate health concerns and improve quality of life.