[Clinical and demographic characteristics and quality of life in patients with epilepsy]

To assess the influence of different clinical and demographic variables on the quality of life [QOL] in patients with epilepsy in Iran. Seventy six patients with epilepsy in Sina neurology clinic within 6 months were included in this study.Quality of life was measured by the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory [QOLIE-31] that was standardized for Iranian epileptic patients. Using multiple regression analysis, we determined the variables were associated with QOLIE-31 overall and subscale scores. Seizure frequency, was found to be risk factor for QOLIE-31 overall and subscale scores. Seizure frequency was a strong predictor for Energy/Fatigue, Seizure Worry and Medication Effects. Age had significant association with social function score. Higher education years in patient and caregiver had an association with QOLIE-31 overall score. This study confirms that seizure frequency, the education and older age are strong predictors of QOL in patient s with epilepsy. Interventions focusing on reduce seizure frequency, and identification of factors that intervene with the patient's education is necessary for improving QOL in these patients

[Psychometric properties of the Iranian version of Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory 31-I item]

Epilepsy is a common chronic disease in all ages. Quality of life in epileptic patients is of utmost importance. This study investigated the reliability and validity of the Iranian version of Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-31 [QOLIE-31-P]. The English version of the questionnaire was translated into Persian and then it pilot tested. The instrument includes 31 items in 7 domains. The scores range from 0-100 with higher scores indicating better conditions. The final version of the Persian questionnaire was administered to a sample of epileptic patients 18 years old and over referred to the electroencephalography ward in Sina hospital [Tehran University of Medical Sciences]. Reliability was estimated using [internal consistency] [Cronbach's alpha] and validity was assessed using [known groups comparison]. In all 76 patients were studied. The mean age of the patients was 30.6 years [SD=12.2] and the mean years of their education was 9.9 [SD=4.2]. The analysis showed that the domains met the minimum reliability standard, Cronbach's alpha coefficient ranging from 0.71-0.89 with the exception of medication effects and social functioning [alpha= 0.51 and 0.65]. Validity analysis showed that the instrument discriminated well between subgroups of patients who differed in [seizure types, frequency of epileptic attacks in previous month and last year]. The Iranian version of the QOLIE-31-P is a reliable and valid measure of health-related quality of life in patients with epilepsy

[ relationship between planned physical activities and quality of life among women: a cross sectional study]

This study was designed to investigate the relationship between planned physical activities and quality of life in women reside in the west of Tehran, Iran. The Short Form Health Survey [SF-36] was applied to measure quality of life and demographic and other related information were additionally collected. Three parks from western areas in Tehran were randomly selected. A group of volunteer women aged 35-55 years were randomly selected by the researcher in parks and divided into active and non-active groups [walking and not walking]. Using SPSS 15, Mann-Whitney and Kruskal- Wallis statistical tests were performed to analyze data. In all 148 women were studied and the mean age of women in active and non-active groups were 42.1 [SD=5.7] and 41.7 [SD=5.6] respectively. The results of Mann-Whitney test showed that women in the active group had higher mean scores in all quality of life scales and except two [physical functioning and role-emotional], there were statistical significant differences [P<0.05]. The results confirmed that planned physical activities by walking have been effective on promoting quality of life in women. The results suggest that educational programs would be designed to motivate women having daily physical activity