Seizure-related injuries in adults: A prospective case-controlled study on risk factors, seizure severity and quality of life.

OBJECTIVE: The current study was conducted to understand the occurrence of seizure-related injuries in people with epilepsy. The relationship between injuries and clinical variables, the perception of seizure severity and quality of life (QoL) and the practice of risky activities were also assessed. The characteristics of the injuries from the onset of epilepsy and in the previous year were assessed. METHODOLOGY: This is a prospective study to assess the occurrence of seizures-related injuries of 72 adult patients with epilepsy. Injury-related data were related to clinical variables and scores of the quality of life in epilepsy inventory (QOLIE-31) and the Seizure Severity Questionnaire (SSQ) with p < 0.05. RESULTS: The mean age of the people with epilepsy was 45.8 ± 15.2 years and the mean length of seizure disorder was 24.0 ± 18.7 years. Seizure-related injuries occurred since the onset of epilepsy in 55 (76.4%) cases and in the previous year in 17 (23.6%) cases. Throughout the lifespan, there was a greater occurrence of injuries in younger patients, with younger age at the onset of epilepsy, using various antiseizure medications and with higher SSQ scores (T test; 54.5 ± 27.7 vs 36.1 ± 23.4, p = 0.011). Injuries in the previous year were associated with a high occurrence of previous injuries, lower scores on the QOLIE-31 (56.7 ± 18.6 vs 66.6 ± 16.1; p = 0.048), higher frequency of seizures and the perception of greater severity of seizures. Seizure-related injuries during risky activities occurred in 11 (20%) cases, associated with a longer length of epilepsy disorder (34.9 ± 15.6 years vs 22.1 ± 17.4 years; p = 0.03) and the need for surgical procedures. CONCLUSION: The occurrence of seizure-related injuries suffered throughout the lifespan and recurrent injuries in the previous year were high. Injuries were significantly associated with epilepsy variables, the perception of greater severity of seizures and risky activities. Seizure-related injuries in the previous year have compromised QoL but not in individuals who suffered injuries throughout their lifespan.

Quality of life perception in patients with epilepsy for a period of 4 years.

The quality of life (QoL) perception over time in adult people with epilepsy (PWE) is important to define strategies of conduct. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the minimally important change (MIC) threshold of the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-31 (QOLIE-31) of PWE over a period of 4 years and its relationship with clinical epilepsy variables. METHODS: A total of 129 PWE (46 ±â€¯14.3 years) were included, and the clinical aspects of epilepsy and the QOLIE-31 were assessed in the initial and final assessment, with p < 0.05. RESULTS: The emotional well-being (-6.31) and social functioning (-5.36) showed clinically relevant effects between the assessments. Quality of life was compromised by increasing the number of antiepileptic drugs (AED) taken [total score (-8.53), social functioning (-14.70)] or by maintaining the use of polytherapy [social functioning (-12.89)]. Fewer seizures were associated with a better QoL [total score (7.99), social (17.88) and cognitive functioning (16.30)]. The reduction in seizures was not associated with a better QoL [total and social functioning score], and the increase in seizures did not change QoL perception (cognitive functioning). There was a reduction in the QoL perception in medication effects in temporal lobe epilepsy with hippocampal sclerosis (TLE-HS) (8.92) and with an increase in age in one year (-0.44). CONCLUSIONS: Quality of life was compromised in the emotional well-being and social functioning during the 4-year follow-up period. The increase in the number of AED taken and age and the TLE-HS compromised QoL changes in the frequency of seizures not associated with a significant improvement in QoL.