Gender-specific psychosocial outcome for women with epilepsy

Stigma, seizure self-efficacy, and quality of life in children with epilepsy

INTRODUCTION

In addition to seizure care, it has been well-established that a holistic approach to the treatment of children with epilepsy that addresses the social, behavioral, and psychological dimensions also benefits their quality of life (QoL). The aim of this study was to investigate the patient and parental perceived stigma, seizure self-efficacy of children with epilepsy, and the relationship with quality of life in terms of sociodemographic and epilepsy-related factors.

METHOD

The study group consisted of children, aged between 8 and 18 years and with a diagnosis of epilepsy of at least six months duration and their parents. Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL), Child-Parent Stigma Scales, and the Seizure Self-Efficacy Scale for Children (SSES-C) were used for evaluation.

RESULTS

One hundred and forty-four children (mean age 12.6 ± 2.9 years) took part, of whom 48.6% were female. The mean Child Stigma Scale score was 1.77 ± 0.82, Parent Stigma Scale score 2.41 ± 0.75, SSES-C score was 3.37 ± 0.98, and PedsQL score was 72.8 ± 18.6 for children self-reports (CsR) and 73.2 ± 18.8 for parent proxy-reports. The intraclass correlation coefficient for parent-child PedsQL indicated a good level of agreement. There was a significant negative correlation between the Child Stigma Scale and the PedsQL-CsR scores. A significant positive correlation was identified between the SSES-C scores and the PedsQL-CsR scores.

DISCUSSION

Perceptions of stigma in children with epilepsy and their parents were high in this study population. Of note, the elevated stigma perception reported by the patients had a detrimental impact on seizure self-efficacy. This relationship may affect the children's QoL and further complicates epilepsy management in this patient group.

Factors Associated With Anxiety and Depression in Persons With Epilepsy (PWE)

INTRODUCTION

Epilepsy is a common neurological disease that is associated with increased morbidity and mortality globally. Persons with epilepsy (PWE) experience a heavy emotional burden mainly due to social stigmatization and limited opportunities in life. The purpose of this study was to explore factors associated with anxiety and depression in PWE.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

In the present cross-sectional study, we enrolled 100 PWE who visited outpatient settings in a public hospital for scheduled follow-up. Data collection was carried out by the completion of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), which included participants' characteristics. The statistical significance level was p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Of the 100 participants, the majority were women (65%), below 50 years old (62%), and single (40%). In terms of mental comorbidity, 58% and 48% experienced anxiety and depression, respectively. A statistically significant association was observed between anxiety and age (p = 0.002). Furthermore, a statistically significant association was observed between depression and gender (p = 0.044), age (p = 0.001), marital status (p = 0.036), educational level (p = 0.003), job (p = 0.025), residency (p = 0.041), and whether they went out at night (p = 0.009).

CONCLUSION

Identifying factors associated with anxiety and depression is essential for PWE to receive appropriate support.

Gender differences in quality of life and psychiatric comorbidities among persons with juvenile myoclonic epilepsy: A single-center cross-sectional study

Objectives

Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME) is the most common idiopathic generalized/genetic epilepsy syndrome. Gender differences are known in clinical presentation, with a well-identified female predilection. We aimed to study gender-based differences in quality of life (QoL) and psychiatric comorbidities among persons with JME.

Materials and Methods

This was a cross-sectional study conducted at a teaching hospital in Delhi, India. Persons above 11 years of age with JME diagnosed according to the International League Against Epilepsy criteria established in 2001 were enrolled. QoL assessment was made using Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory-Adolescents-48 (QOLIE-AD-48) and Patient-Weighted Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory 31 (QOLIE-31-P) for adolescent and adult patients, respectively. For the assessment of psychiatric comorbidities, participants were administered the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (M.I.N.I). Participants who tested positive for psychiatric comorbidities on M.I.N.I subsequently underwent the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual-5 categorization.

Results

We enrolled 50 patients with JME. Eighteen (36%) were male and 32 (64%) were female patients. The median age of males at study enrollment was 23.5 (range 15-38) years. The median age of females was 22 (16-48) years. The median QOLIE-31-P score among males was 68.31 (37.13-91.82) and for females was 66.9 (31.7-99.1). The median overall QoL score for males was 65 (25-87.5), which qualified as "fair" QoL. For females, the median overall QoL score was 62.5 (10-87.5) which also qualified as "fair" QoL. No significant difference was noted between genders in QoL (P = 0.723). Among males, 55.5% had psychiatric comorbidity. Of these, two had mild depression and eight had anxiety. Among female patients, 34.4% had comorbid psychiatric issues; 6 had anxiety and 5 had depression. No significant difference was noted between genders (P = 0.9136).

Conclusion

Persons with JME do not have gender-stratified differences in terms of psychiatric comorbidities and QoL despite differences in exposure to antiseizure medications and other gender-related factors. All persons with JME should be screened for psychiatric comorbidities, specifically anxiety, and depression.

Marital status among patients with epilepsy in Saudi Arabia

There are no adequate studies on Saudi Arabia regarding the effect of the social environment on marriage among people with epilepsy (PWE). To fill this gap in the literature, we investigated the marital status of PWE to determine the factors affecting their marital prospects. The subjects of the study included PWE aged 18 years or above, recruited between 1998 and 2019 from the Epilepsy Registry of King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. We collected a wide range of socio-demographic data on age, gender, location, education level, employment status, and marital status. In total, 1857 PWE, comprising 1086 men (58.48%) and 771 women (41.52%), were enrolled in the study. The data analysis showed that those 'married' and those who 'had been married' comprised 46.96% of the sample, while those 'never married' comprised 53.04%; 65.37% of the sample held a 'high school diploma or less' or had 'no education', 26.85% reported ongoing university education or had already obtained a bachelor's or higher degree; 50.08% of the respondents were employed, while 47.98% were not. Of the sample, 40.28% resided in Riyadh, whereas 13.14% were from the Asir region. We found that socio-demographic factors, especially employment status, had a major influence on the marital prospects of PWE.

An evaluation of the psychosocial impact of epilepsy on marriage in the United Kingdom

OBJECTIVES

The primary objective of this study was to measure the psychosocial burden for persons with epilepsy (PWEs) and for their spouses and to compare and correlate this with the clinical burden of seizures. A secondary objective was to examine the presence of gender-specific differences in the perception of psychosocial burdens by both PWE and their spouses, as well as in the factors that may influence this perception. We also sought to delineate differences in perceived stigmatization if the onset of epilepsy was within matrimony or if seizure onset was prior to marriage.

METHODS

A questionnaire was constructed from previously validated instruments to measure stigma and was administered to 50 PWE-spouse pairs. A copy was applied to the PWE, and another was administered separately to the spouse. The medical notes were scrutinized by a Consultant Neurologist to enable an assessment of seizure severity for each type of seizure that the PWE experienced. Pearson correlation significance was examined at 95% level of significance.

RESULTS

Higher seizure severity over the month prior to data collection correlated with smaller reporting differences in psychosocial outcome between spouses and the PWE (p = 0.005), an effect that maintained significance when the period over which seizure severity was evaluated was extended to one year (p = 0.021). Regarding gender-specific differences, low mood over the month prior to administration of the questionnaire was associated with worse psychosocial scores in females only (p = 0.001). Significant impairment in driving was correlated with worse outcomes in males only (p = 0.008). Male spouses' judgment on the 'overall health' of their wife correlated to seizure severity (p = 0.003). However, the psychosocial scores reported by male spouses were inversely correlated to those of the PWE (p = 0.042). Finally, in PWE with seizure onset within marriage, a high degree of perceived stigmatization (p = 0.025) and low mood (p = 0.004) was correlated to worse psychosocial functioning. This group also tended to be more anxious when the PWE was experiencing severe seizures (p = 0.013).

CONCLUSION

Although severe seizures in this sample of couples were correlated with a smaller discrepancy in perceived seizure burden, gender-specific differences in perception of epilepsy-related psychosocial burden exist. This is true for both PWE and their spouses. Irrespective of gender, onset of epilepsy within matrimony was correlated with higher levels of anxiety and stigma. These factors need to be considered during efforts to reduce epilepsy-related stigmatization, as well as in tailoring therapies that aim to support the spouse as well as the PWE.

Marriage in people with epilepsy: A compelling theme for psycho-behavioral research

People with epilepsy frequently experience problems in marriage including reduced marital prospects, poor marital outcomes and diminished quality of married life. Conversely, marriage might impact epilepsy self-management and quality of life in people with epilepsy. There is little in published literature on marriage and epilepsy, so there is a need for psycho-behavioral research. Here, we focus on arranged marriages which, although now rare in western cultures, are widely prevalent in South Asian communities. Arranged marriages, in which families rather than individuals choose marital partners, are particularly problematic because epilepsy is frequently hidden during marital negotiations as well as later. From the psycho-behavioral perspective, marital prospects, outcomes and satisfaction should be examined in relation to the type of marriage (arranged vs. love) and whether or not epilepsy is hidden. Additionally, culturally-relevant tools to appraise marital quality and epilepsy self-management within marriage should be developed. The main objective should be to develop a multi-sectorial action plan with interventions at several different levels involving different stakeholders to mitigate stigma associated with epilepsy in matrimony.

The dilemma of arranged marriages in people with epilepsy. An expert group appraisal

INTRODUCTION

Matrimony remains a challenging psychosocial problem confronting people with epilepsy (PWE). People with epilepsy are less likely to marry; however, their marital prospects are most seriously compromised in arranged marriages.

AIMS

The aim of this study was to document marital prospects and outcomes in PWE going through arranged marriage and to propose optimal practices for counseling PWE contemplating arranged marriage.

METHODS

A MEDLINE search and literature review were conducted, followed by a cross-disciplinary meeting of experts to generate consensus.

RESULTS

People with epilepsy experience high levels of felt and enacted stigma in arranged marriages, but the repercussions are heavily biased against women. Hiding epilepsy is common during marital negotiations but may be associated with poor medication adherence, reduced physician visits, and poor marital outcome. Although divorce rates are generally insubstantial in PWE, divorce rates appear to be higher in PWE undergoing arranged marriages. In these marriages, hiding epilepsy during marital negotiations is a risk factor for divorce.

CONCLUSIONS

In communities in which arranged marriages are common, physicians caring for PWE are best-equipped to counsel them about their marital prospects. Marital plans and aspirations should be discussed with the family of the person with epilepsy in a timely and proactive manner. The benefits of disclosing epilepsy during marital negotiations should be underscored.

Beyond medical diagnosis: Factors contributing to life satisfaction of women with epilepsy in Israel

This study was an exploratory study aimed to examine the contribution of both objective variables (such as education, occupational status, and leisure activity) and subjective variables (such as perceived disability, body image, and feminine self-image) to the life satisfaction of women with epilepsy in Israel. The study also sought to compare the findings with earlier studies of women with epilepsy or other disabilities in order to identify similar patterns in their life satisfaction. The study included 70 women, who had applied in the past to the Israel Epilepsy Association to obtain information and leisure activities. They were asked about their degree of life satisfaction in the context of their personal data including occupational status, leisure activity, perceived disability, body image, and feminine self-image. Findings indicated that higher education and perception of body image and femininity were positively correlated with higher life satisfaction. The regression model showed that perceived severity of disability and body image had the highest contribution to satisfaction with life, a fact that attests to the paramount importance of women's perception of their health disability in dealing with the disorder. These findings are discussed in relation to earlier comparative studies of those with/without epilepsy. The implications for practice suggest aspects that ought to be included in therapeutic interventions such as including contents related to feminine self-image and body image in the rehabilitation process as well as recommendations for future studies.

Marital status of patients with epilepsy: factors and quality of life

PURPOSE

The study investigated how marital status relates to clinical aspects and quality of life (QOL) in patients with epilepsy (PWE).

METHOD

The clinical data and Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31) scores of 252 PWE were regressed against their marital status with a significance level of 5% (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

Logistic regression for single and married PWE revealed that singles had more abnormalities in the neurological examination (p = 0.029) and earlier seizure onset (p < 0.001), while for married and divorced PWE revealed the latter more psychiatric comorbidities (p = 0.002) and longer disease duration (p = 0.011). Regarding QOL score, linear regression showed that psychiatric comorbidity was the only factor (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The marital status of PWE is negatively associated with clinical aspects of epilepsy.

Inverse relationship between stigma and quality of life in India: is epilepsy a disabling neurological condition?

OBJECTIVE

Stigma associated with epilepsy has negative effects on psychosocial outcomes, affecting quality of life (QOL) and increasing disease burden in persons with epilepsy (PWEs). The aim of our study was to measure the impact of stigma on the QOL of PWEs and the prevalence of neurological disability due to stigmatized epilepsy.

METHOD

A prospective observational study with a sample of 208 PWEs was conducted. Neuropsychological Tests used were the Indian Disability Evaluation Assessment Scale (IDEAS) to measure disability, the Dysfunctional Analysis Questionnaire (DAQ) to measure QOL, and the Stigma Scale for Epilepsy (SSE) to assess stigma.

RESULTS

Spearman correlation was calculated, and stigma (SSE) was highly significant with QOL (DAQ) (0.019) and disability due to stigmatized epilepsy (IDEAS) (0.011).

CONCLUSION

The present study supports the global perception of stigma associated with epilepsy and its negative impact on their overall QOL and its contribution to the escalation of the disease burden.

Epilepsy in Cambodia-treatment aspects and policy implications: a population-based representative survey

INTRODUCTION

We tested two treatment strategies to determine: treatment (a) prognosis (seizure frequency, mortality, suicide, and complications), (b) safety and adherence of treatment, (c) self-reported satisfaction with treatment and self-reported productivity, and policy aspects (a) number of required tablets for universal treatment (NRT), (b) cost of management, (c) manpower-gap and requirements for scaling-up of epilepsy care.

METHODS

We performed a random-cluster survey (N = 16510) and identified 96 cases (≥1 year of age) in 24 villages. They were screened by using a validated instrument and diagnosed by the neurologists. International guidelines were used for defining and classifying epilepsy. All were given phenobarbital or valproate (cost-free) in two manners patient's door-steps (March 2009-March 2010, primary-treatment-period, PTP) and treatment through health-centers (March 2010-June 2011, treatment-continuation-period, TCP). The emphasis was to start on a minimum dosage and regime, without any polytherapy, according to the age of the recipients. No titration was done. Seizure-frequency was monthly and self-reported.

RESULTS

The number of seizures reduced from 12.6 (pre-treatment) to 1.2 (end of PTP), following which there was an increase to 3.4 (end of TCP). Between start of PTP and end of TCP, >60.0% became and remained seizure-free. During TCP, ∼26.0% went to health centers to collect their treatment. Complications reduced from 12.5% to 4.2% between start and end of PTP and increased to 17.2% between start and end of TCP. Adverse events reduced from 46.8% to 16.6% between start and end of PTP. Nearly 33 million phenobarbital 100 mg tablets are needed in Cambodia.

CONCLUSIONS

Epilepsy responded sufficiently well to the conventional treatment, even when taken at a minimal dosage and a simple daily regimen, without any polytherapy. This is yet another confirmation that it is possible to substantially reduce direct burden of epilepsy through means that are currently available to us.