Course and impact of sleep disturbance in newly diagnosed epilepsy: A prospective registry study

Sleep quality and associated factors among adult patients with epilepsy attending follow-up care at referral hospitals in Amhara region, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Globally, epilepsy is the commonest neurological disorder in adults. It has significant health and economic consequences to the affected individuals and the family. There is ample evidence that epileptic patients are at increased risk of poor sleep quality than the general population. However, there is limited evidence on sleep quality among epileptic patients and associated factors in Ethiopia. Therefore, this study investigated the prevalence of poor sleep quality and associated factors among adult patients with epilepsy.

METHOD

Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted among adult epileptic patients attending follow-up care at referral hospitals in the Amhara region. A total of 575 epileptic patients were recruited using a stratified systematic random sampling technique. An interviewer-administered semi-structured questionnaire and record review were used for data collection. To assess sleep quality the pretested Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) tool was used. A binary logistic regression model was used to assess factors associated with poor sleep quality. Variables with a p-value less than 0.2 in the bivariable binary logistic regression analysis were considered for the multivariable binary logistic regression analysis. In the multivariable binary logistic regression analysis, the Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR) with the 95% Confidence Interval (CI) were reported to declare the statistical significance and strength of association. Model fitness was assessed using the Hosmer-Lemeshow test and was adequate (p>0.05). Multicollinearity of the independent variables was assessed using the Variance Inflation Factor (VIF) and the mean VIF was less than 10.

RESULTS

A total of 565 participants were enrolled in the study with a response rate of 98.3%. The prevalence of poor sleep quality among adult epileptic patients was 68.8% [95% CI: 64.8%, 72.5%]. In the multivariable binary logistic regression, being unable to read and write [AOR = 3.16, 95%CI: 1.53, 6.51], taking polytherapy treatment [AOR = 2.10, 95% CI: 1.37, 3.21], poor medication adherence [AOR = 2.53, 95%CI: 1.02, 6.23] and having poor support [AOR = 2.72, 95%CI: 1.53, 4.82] and moderate social support [AOR = 1.89, 95%CI: 1.05, 3.41] were significantly associated with higher odds of poor sleep quality.

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

Poor sleep quality is a major public health concern in Ethiopia. The patient's level of education, number of medication use, medication adherence, and social support were found significant predictors of poor sleep quality. These findings highlight improving medication adherence and social support are effective strategies to improve the sleep quality of epileptic patients. Besides, it is better to give special emphasis to those epileptic patients with a low level of education and taking polytherapy to enhance sleep quality.

The Quality of Life in Patients with Epilepsy in the Context of Sleep Problems and Sexual Satisfaction

Epilepsy influences the quality of patient functioning in almost all aspects of life. This study aimed to assess the quality of difficulties with sleep initiation and those concerning sexual function, and to assess whether sleep disorders are associated with selected aspects of sexual function and quality of life. The study involved completing a quality-of-life questionnaire for persons with epilepsy: a QOLIE-31 questionnaire, and the present authors' questionnaire, including 20 questions. A total of 170 questionnaires were completed by 89 men and 81 women. Sleep problems of various frequency were reported by 98 participants (57.6%). Only 41% of patients were definitely satisfied with their sex life. The respondents who declared dissatisfaction with their sex life more often reported difficulties with sleep initiation (χ2 = 10.20; p ≤ 0.001). Moreover, those who claimed that epilepsy might contribute to sex life problems more commonly declared dissatisfaction with their sex life (χ2 = 20.01; p ≤ 0.001) and more frequently, reported difficulties with sleep initiation (χ2 = 6.30; p ≤ 0.012). The issues should constitute the constant element of medical history taking, as improvement in these areas of functioning may promote better quality of life in patients with epilepsy.