Student Original Articles
Quality of life among patients with epilepsy attending the epilepsy clinic at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka
Authors:
Harshana Wijayalathge ,
University of Colombo, LK
About Harshana
Faculty of Medicine
Kavini Hemachandra,
University of Colombo, LK
About Kavini
Faculty of Medicine
Akila Hemini,
University of Colombo, LK
About Akila
Faculty of Medicine
Thashi Chang
University of Colombo, LK
About Thashi
Department of Clinical Medicine
Abstract
Introduction
Quality of life (QOL) of people with epilepsy is affected by seizure severity. Relationship between seizure severity and QOL with specific attention to marriage and employment is incompletely explored.
Objective
To describe the quality of life (QOL) and its association with seizure severity of adults with epilepsy
Methods
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 136 patients followed-up at the epilepsy clinic of the National Hospital of Sri Lanka. They were selected using systematic sampling. An interviewer-administered questionnaire obtained data on overall QOL, employment, marital status and seizure severity. Data were statistically analysed by Chi-squared test.
Results
Majority were males (53.7%) and aged <40 years (53.7%). Mean duration of epilepsy was 19.9 years (SD=14.2 years), with nearly half experiencing generalized tonic clonic seizures. Mean total seizure severity score of the patients with epilepsy was 2.92 (SD=1.359). ‘Good’ overall QOL was seen among 78 patients (57.4%), which was significantly associated with low seizure severity (p<0.001). However, low seizure severity was not significantly associated with being employed (p=0.403) or having a successful marital life (p=0.634).
Conclusions
A ‘Good’ overall QOL among patients with epilepsy seemed to be determined by low seizure severity. However, seizure severity did not affect the QOL related to employment or marriage.
How to Cite:
Wijayalathge, H., Hemachandra, K., Hemini, A. and Chang, T., 2020. Quality of life among patients with epilepsy attending the epilepsy clinic at the National Hospital of Sri Lanka. Ceylon Journal of Medical Science, 57(1), pp.28–35. DOI: http://doi.org/10.4038/cjms.v57i1.4964
Published on
28 Dec 2020.
Peer Reviewed
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