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Impact of COVID-19 on the lives and psychosocial well-being of persons with epilepsy during the third trimester of the pandemic: Results from an international, online survey.
Millevert, Charissa; Van Hees, Stijn; Siewe Fodjo, Joseph Nelson; Wijtvliet, Veerle; Faria de Moura Villela, Edlaine; Rosso, Barbara; Gil-Nagel, Antonio; Weckhuysen, Sarah; Colebunders, Robert.
  • Millevert C; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Antwerp, Belgium; VIB-Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, University of Antwerp, Belgium.
  • Van Hees S; Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, Belgium; Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Antwerp, Belgium.
  • Siewe Fodjo JN; Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, Belgium.
  • Wijtvliet V; Laboratory of Experimental Medicine and Pediatrics, University of Antwerp, Belgium.
  • Faria de Moura Villela E; School of Medicine, Health Sciences Unit, Federal University of Jataí, Brazil.
  • Rosso B; Department of Neurology, Italian Hospital of Buenos Aires, Argentina.
  • Gil-Nagel A; Department of Neurology, Hospital Ruber Internacional, Madrid, Spain.
  • Weckhuysen S; Department of Neurology, University Hospital Antwerp, Belgium; VIB-Center for Molecular Neurology, VIB, University of Antwerp, Belgium.
  • Colebunders R; Global Health Institute, University of Antwerp, Belgium. Electronic address: Robert.colebunders@uantwerpen.be.
Epilepsy Behav ; 116: 107800, 2021 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-1057514
ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE:

To evaluate the impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) measures on the lives and psychosocial well-being of persons with epilepsy (PWE) during the third trimester of the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS:

A structured questionnaire investigating different aspects of the lives and psychosocial well-being of PWE during the COVID-19 pandemic was developed. Persons with epilepsy were invited via social media to anonymously respond to a secure web-based online questionnaire (www.icpcovid.com). Responses were collected between July 26th and December 3rd, 2020. Hospital anxiety and depression scales (HADS) were used to screen respondents for depression (HADS-D) and anxiety (HADS-A).

RESULTS:

Responses of 407 PWE were included in the analysis; 304 (74.7%) respondents were female and 245 (60.2%) living in Europe, 157 (38.6%) in South America, and 5 (1.2%) in Canada. Seventy-six (18.7%) reported a decrease of income during the COVID-19 lockdown, and 122 (30.0%) experienced difficulties in obtaining anti-seizure medication (ASM), mostly (72/122, 59.0%) due to unavailability. Seizure frequency increased in 122 (30.0%); 295 (72.5%) screened positive for anxiety, and 159 (39.1%) for depression. Hundred eighty-eight (46.2%) reported reluctance to seek medical care; 27.3% believed that epilepsy was associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 disease. Forty-six (74.2%) of 62 PWE who were followed up by telephone or video consult were satisfied with this consult. Fifty-five respondents, most (89.1%) of whom were from Europe, had also participated in a previous survey during the early months of the pandemic. In this subgroup, although there was no difference in prevalence of a positive screening for depression or anxiety, mean scores on HADS-A and HADS-D increased from 6.65 ±â€¯3.99 to 7.27 ±â€¯4.01 (p = 0.418), and from 5.84 ±â€¯4.43 to 6.60 ±â€¯4.45 (p = 0.371), respectively.

CONCLUSIONS:

The COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the psychosocial and somatic well-being of PWE. To minimize this impact, ensuring uninterrupted access to ASM is essential. Teleconsultations are valid alternatives for continued follow-up, but should include attention to psychosocial well-being. Persons with epilepsy should be more actively informed that epilepsy is not a risk factor for developing (more severe) COVID-19 disease.
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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Surveys and Questionnaires / Internationality / Epilepsy / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adult / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged Language: English Journal: Epilepsy Behav Journal subject: Behavioral Sciences / Neurology Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.yebeh.2021.107800

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Full text: Available Collection: International databases Database: MEDLINE Main subject: Surveys and Questionnaires / Internationality / Epilepsy / COVID-19 Type of study: Cohort study / Experimental Studies / Observational study / Prognostic study / Qualitative research / Randomized controlled trials Limits: Adult / Female / Humans / Male / Middle aged Language: English Journal: Epilepsy Behav Journal subject: Behavioral Sciences / Neurology Year: 2021 Document Type: Article Affiliation country: J.yebeh.2021.107800