Socialization characteristics in persons with epilepsy

Reduced eye gaze fixation during emotion recognition among patients with temporal lobe epilepsy

OBJECTIVES

To investigate the facial scan patterns during emotion recognition (ER) through the dynamic facial expression task and the awareness of social interference test (TASIT) using eye tracking (ET) technology, and to find some ET indicators that can accurately depict the ER process, which is a beneficial supplement to existing ER assessment tools.

METHOD

Ninety-six patients with TLE and 88 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. All participants watched the dynamic facial expression task and TASIT including a synchronized eye movement recording and recognized the emotion (anger, disgust, happiness, or sadness). The accuracy of ER was recorded. The first fixation time, first fixation duration, dwell time, and fixation count were selected and analyzed.

RESULTS

TLE patients exhibited ER impairment especially for disgust (Z =  - 3.391; p = 0.001) and sadness (Z =  - 3.145; p = 0.002). TLE patients fixated less on the face, as evidenced by the reduced fixation count (Z =  - 2.549; p = 0.011) of the face and a significant decrease in the fixation count rate (Z =  - 1.993; p = 0.046). During the dynamic facial expression task, TLE patients focused less on the eyes, as evidenced by the decreased first fixation duration (Z =  - 4.322; p = 0.000), dwell time (Z =  - 4.083; p = 0.000), and fixation count (Z =  - 3.699; p = 0.000) of the eyes.

CONCLUSION

TLE patients had ER impairment, especially regarding negative emotions, which may be attributable to their reduced fixation on the eyes during ER, and the increased fixation on the mouth could be a compensatory effect to improve ER performance. Eye-tracking technology could provide the process indicators of ER, and is a valuable supplement to traditional ER assessment tasks.

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy: A critical view of the literature

Sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) is a sudden, unexpected, witnessed or unwitnessed, non-traumatic and non-drowning death, occurring in benign circumstances, in an individual with epilepsy, with or without evidence for a seizure and excluding documented status epilepticus in which postmortem examination does not reveal other causes of death. Lower diagnostic levels are assigned when cases met most or all of these criteria, but data suggested more than one possible cause of death. The incidence of SUDEP ranged from 0.09 to 2.4 per 1000 person-years. Differences can be attributed to the age of the study populations (with peaks in the 20-40-year age group) and the severity of the disease. Young age, disease severity (in particular, a history of generalized TCS), having symptomatic epilepsy, and the response to antiseizure medications (ASMs) are possible independent predictors of SUDEP. The pathophysiological mechanisms are not fully known due to the limited data available and because SUDEP is not always witnessed and has been electrophysiologically monitored only in a few cases with simultaneous assessment of respiratory, cardiac, and brain activity. The pathophysiological basis of SUDEP may vary according to different circumstances that make that particular seizure, in that specific moment and in that patient, a fatal event. The main hypothesized mechanisms, which could contribute to a cascade of events, are cardiac dysfunction (included potential effects of ASMs, genetically determined channelopathies, acquired heart diseases), respiratory dysfunction (included postictal arousal deficit for the respiratory mechanism, acquired respiratory diseases), neuromodulator dysfunction, postictal EEG depression and genetic factors.

Difficulties in emotion and social support in people with epilepsy: relationship with depression levels

Amaç: Bu çalışmada epilepsili bireylerde depresyon düzeyi ile duygu düzenleme güçlükleri ve sosyal destek arasındaki ilişkiyi incelemeyi amaçladık. Gereç ve Yöntem: Fokal epilepsi tanısı ile takip edilmekte olan hastalara Nörolojik Bozukluklarda Depresyon Ölçeği-Epilepsi (NDDI-E), Duygu Düzenleme Güçlükleri Ölçeği (DDGÖ) ve İki Yönlü Sosyal Destek Ölçeği (2-YSDÖ) verilmiştir. Bulgular: Çalışmaya 109 hasta dahil edilmiştir. Hastaların %25’inde depresyon saptanmıştır. Depresyonu olan olguların DDGÖ median değeri 45 (28-55), depresyon saptanmayan grubun ise 24 (18-33,5)’dür. Depresyonu olan grubun DDGÖ skorunun depresyonu olmayan gruba kıyasla anlamlı derecede yüksek olduğu tespit edilmiştir. Tüm çalışma popülasyonunda yapılan 2-YSDÖ (92 (69,5-102,5)) ve DDGÖ (27 (19-41)) skorlarının korelasyon analizinde sosyal destek ve duygu düzenleme güçlükleri arasında negatif bir ilişki mevcuttur. Regresyon analizine göre ise duygu düzenleme güçlükleri depresyonun ana belirleyicisidir ve depresyonu %16,8 oranında açıklamaktadır. Sonuç: Epilepsili bireylerde duygu düzenleme güçlükleri depresyonun ana belirleyicilerinden biridir ve yetersiz sosyal destek duygu düzenleme güçlükleri ile ilişkilidir. Epilepsili bireylerde depresyon sıklığını azaltmak için duygu düzenleme stratejilerini güçlendirecek rehabilitasyon programlarına ihtiyaç vardır.

Perceived epilepsy-related stigma is linked to the socioeconomic status of the residence

Purpose

Epilepsy is one of the most common neurological disorders with high costs for the healthcare systems and great suffering for patients. Beyond seizures, psychosocial comorbidities can have detrimental effects on the well-being of people with epilepsy. One source of social stress and reduced quality of life is epilepsy-related stigma that often occurs, e.g., due to public misconceptions or myths. Stigma has individual biological, psychological and social correlates. Moreover, environmental factors like living in remote areas are associated with stigma. However, little is known about the link between the social structure of the residence and stigma in epilepsy. Thus, we investigated the association between the structural socioeconomic status (SES) and perceived stigma in an urban epilepsy population.

Methods

This prospective, cross-sectional study examined 226 adult in-patients with epilepsy from Berlin. Multiple regression analyses were performed to check the relationship between structural SES and stigma controlling for individual-level demographic, clinical, psychological and social factors. Continuous social indices (SI) of the districts and neighborhoods ("SI district" and "SI neighborhood") of Berlin were used to measure different levels of structural SES. Non-linear relationships are tested by grouping the SI in quartiles.

Results

Both indicators of structural SES were independently linked to stigma (p = 0.002). For "SI district", we identified a non-linear relationship with patients from the most deprived quartile feeling less stigmatized compared to those in the second (p < 0.001) or least deprived quartile (p = 0.009). Furthermore, more restrictions of daily life (p < 0.001), unfavorable income (p = 0.009) and seizure freedom in the past 6 months (p = 0.05) were related to increased stigma. A lower "SI neighborhood" was associated with higher stigma (p = 0.002).

Conclusion

Strategies to reduce epilepsy-related stigma need to consider the sociostructural living environment on different regional levels. Unfavorable relations with the immediate living environment may be directly targeted in patient-centered interventions. Non-linear associations with the structural SES of broader regional levels should be considered in public education programs. Further research is needed to examine possible underlying mechanisms and gain insight into the generalizability of our findings to other populations.

The impact of social factors, especially psychological worries on anxiety and depression in patients with epilepsy

BACKGROUND

Social factors are believed to affect mental health in patients with epilepsy (PWE). However, there is still a lack of sufficient manifest proof, given the difficulty of exposing PWE to relatively consistent natural social environments with a low or high level of social interaction to study their significant role.

METHODS

This single-center, longitudinal study was conducted via online questionnaires during the coronavirus disease 2019. PWE were recruited from downtown Wuhan and surrounding areas. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9 and Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 were used to assess psychological status.

RESULTS

We analyzed 588 questionnaires completed by 294 PWE who participated in the dual survey. Under lockdown and reopening, the prevalence of anxiety was 13.6%/22.5%, and the prevalence of depression was 19.4%/34.0%. Raising children and seizure-related characteristics, including uncontrolled seizures, seizure exacerbation, seizure frequency ≥ 2/m, and changes in drug regimen, were risk factors in the first and second surveys. A high education level (OR = 1.946, 95% CI = 1.191-3.182), low life satisfaction (OR = 1.940, 95% CI = 1.007-3.737), worry about unanticipated seizures (OR = 2.147, 95% CI = 1.049-4.309), and worry about purchasing medication outside (OR = 2.063, 95% CI = 1.060-4.016) were risk factors for higher scores after reopening. Worry about unanticipated seizures (OR = 3.012, 95% CI = 1.302-6.965) and in-person medical consultation (OR = 2.319, 95% CI = 1.262-4.261) were related to newly diagnosed patients with psychological disorder after reopening.

CONCLUSIONS

We identified an association between social variables and epileptic psychiatric comorbidities.

Peer support and social network groups among people living with epilepsy: A scoping review

BACKGROUND

Peer support is a unique connection formed between people who share similar experiences of illness. It is distinct from, but complementary to other forms of support or care provided by family and friends, healthcare professionals, and other service providers. The role of peer support in contributing to the wellbeing and care of people living with epilepsy (PLWE) is increasingly recognized, including via online networks and group therapy. However, little overall synthesis is available to map and conceptualize the different ways peer support contributes to the wellbeing or care of PLWE, or how it occurs via formally and informally organized social network settings.

METHODS

A scoping review of peer-reviewed literature published between 1998 and 2021 was conducted using Medline, Psychinfo, Embase, Scopus, and CINAHL databases. Included studies comprised empirical research that involved people with epilepsy as the primary participants; included 'peer social support' in the study question or study setting, and included outcome measures related to peer social support or peer-related groupings.

RESULTS

A total of 17 articles were included in the review. The functions of peer support for PLWE can be described as either emotional or instrumental. Emotional peer support includes a sense of empathy and encouragement gained from another person with a shared experience of illness, which can help to improve confidence for those challenged by isolation and stigma. Instrumental peer support refers to the more practical and tangible support provided by peers about treatment and support services, which can improve self-management and clarify misinformation. The mechanisms by which peer support and peer social networks materialize includes face-to-face meetings, online group gatherings, and telephone calls. As well as through organized channels, peer support can be fostered incidentally through, for example, research participation, or in clinical settings. Barriers to PLWE receiving opportunities for peer support include the perceived stigma of living with epilepsy, the high cost of transportation, or poor access to the internet to reach and meet others; enablers include the anonymity afforded by online forums and perceived trust in one's peers or forum organizers.

CONCLUSIONS

This nuanced conceptualization of the different types of peer support and peer support networks, as well as the variety of barriers and enablers of peer support for PLWE, will serve to inform more effectively designed clinical care practices and service delivery tailored to the needs of PLWE. This review will inform future research in peer support as an important and emerging area of investigation.

Commercially available seizure detection devices: A systematic review

IMPORTANCE

Epilepsy can be associated with significant morbidity and mortality. Seizure detection devices could be invaluable tools for both people with epilepsy, their caregivers, and clinicians as they could alert caretakers about seizures, reduce the risk of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy, and provide objective and more reliable seizure tracking to guide treatment decisions or monitor outcomes in clinical trials.

OBJECTIVE

To synthesize the characteristics of commercial seizure detection tools/devices currently available.

METHODS

We performed a systematic search utilizing a diverse set of resources to identify commercially available seizure detection products for consumer use. Performance data was obtained through a systematic review on commercially available products.

OBSERVATIONS

We identified 23 products marketed for seizure detection/alerting. Devices utilize a variety of mechanisms to detect seizures, including movement detectors, autonomic change detectors, electroencephalogram (EEG) based detectors, and other mechanisms (audio). The optimal device for a person with epilepsy depends on a variety of factors including the main purpose of the device, their age, seizure type and personal preferences. Only 8 devices have published peer-reviewed performance data and the majority for tonic-clonic seizures. An informed conversation between the clinician and the patient can help guide if a seizure detection device is appropriate.

CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE

Seizure detection devices have a potential to reduce morbidity and mortality for certain people with epilepsy. Clinicians should be familiar with the characteristics of commercially available devices to best counsel their patients on whether a seizure detection device may be beneficial and what the optimal devices may be.

Examining the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on the well-being and virtual care of patients with epilepsy

OBJECTIVE

The emergence of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19) as a novel coronavirus resulted in a global pandemic that necessitated the implementation of social distancing measures. These public health measures may have affected the provision of care for patients with epilepsy. Social isolation may have also adversely affected well-being and quality of life due to informal and formal support networks becoming less accessible. The purpose of this qualitative study was to examine the lived experiences of patients with epilepsy and to see how their quality of life and healthcare has been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.

METHODS

From April 27 to May 15, 2020 we performed remote interviews with 18 participants who had virtual appointments with their healthcare providers and were enrolled in the Calgary Comprehensive Epilepsy Program registry. Interviews were recorded and transcribed, after which transcripts were analyzed and coded into relevant themes using NVivo 12.

RESULTS

Three broad themes emerged throughout the interviews:1) impact of pandemic on informal and formal support systems; 2) impact of pandemic on healthcare provision; and 3) concerns about the impact of the pandemic on personal situations and society in the future. Participants reported anxiety and stress about decreased social engagement and activity cessations. Although face-to-face appointments were preferred, virtual care was well-received. Common concerns about the future included securing employment and burnout from balancing family responsibilities. Some patients also feared they would be stigmatized as society adapted to the situation.

SIGNIFICANCE

This study highlights the need for additional research in anticipation of the implementation of remote medicine in the management and treatment of epilepsy. It also highlights the tenacity of those living with epilepsy during difficult periods despite social and familial pressures. Raising awareness during this time about the lives and experiences of epilepsy patients can help challenge misconceptions and stigma in the workplace and wider society.

On status epilepticus and pins: A systematic content analysis

Status epilepticus (SE) can be defined as abnormally prolonged, persistent, or recurrent clinical and/or electrographic epileptic activity and, as such, is a challenging medical emergency requiring an aggressive treatment aimed at promptly terminating the seizures. It imposes a relevant clinical burden, both in terms of comorbidity and mortality. In the era of the Web 2.0, most people search the Web to obtain SE-related information. The current investigation aimed at qualitatively characterizing the pins related to SE: Pinterest, "the world's catalog of ideas", is a visual social networking site that enables users to freely upload visual material, to bookmark, and to share it (repin). Using SE as a keyword, 192 pins were extracted and analyzed on the basis of their content. Fifty-five were found to meet the inclusion criteria. Fifty-six point four percent of the pins reported at least one cause of SE, the most quoted of which being remote brain injuries (47.3% of the pins); 54.5% and 45.5% of the included pins reported SE symptoms and diagnosis, respectively; 72.7% and 40.0% of pins focused on SE treatment and on prognosis, respectively; and 50.9%, 30.9%, and 40.0% of the pins were intended for physicians, medical/nursing students, and lay people, respectively. Only 12.7% of pins were patient-centered and devoted to fund-raising and advocacy. In the field of neurological diseases, Pinterest, despite being a "pinstructive" tool, is too much overlooked and underused for advocacy purposes. Healthcare workers and stakeholders should be aware of the opportunities offered by Pinterest and exploit this visual social networking site for raising awareness of the life-threatening condition of SE, promoting fund-raising campaigns.