Factors affecting the quality of life in patients with epilepsy in Seoul, South Korea

Objectives - The level of, and factors affecting the quality of life (QOL) in patients with epilepsy may be different in Korea where social prejudice toward them is still pronounced. However, these issues have not yet been addressed properly. Methods - We consecutively identified 154 epilepsy patients who visited the outpatient clinic at the Seoul National University Hospital. An interview was performed by two research nurses with the use of a standardized questionnaire, which included data pertaining to seizure characteristics, symptoms of depression/anxiety, social support, family life/social life satisfaction, and the activities of daily living (ADLs). The QOL was assessed with the use of QOL in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31). Results - Factors affecting the QOL were: age (P < 0.01), education in years (P < 0.01), employment status (P < 0.05), employment type (P < 0.05), current economic status (P < 0.05), seizure frequency (P < 0.01), the number of antiepileptic drugs (P < 0.01), family life/social life dissatisfaction (P < 0.01, respectively), social support (P < 0.01), the symptoms of anxiety and depression (P < 0.01, respectively) and ADL dysfunction (P < 0.01). In multiple regression analysis, the symptom of anxiety was the most important factor in explaining lower QOL in patients with epilepsy, while depression (P < 0.01), social life dissatisfaction (P < 0.01), ADL dysfunction (P < 0.05) and seizure frequency (P < 0.05) were also significant factors. Conclusions - Psycho-social factors outweighed the physical factors in determining QOL in Korean epilepsy patients. Recognition of these factors will lead health professionals to develop different strategies to improve the QOL of these patients.