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Tarhini Z, Jost J, Ratsimbazafy V, Preux PM, Salameh P, Al-Hajje A, Boumediene F, Mroueh L. Knowledge of epilepsy, quality of life, and psychiatric comorbidities in Lebanese adults with epilepsy. Epilepsy Behav 2022; 136:108924. [PMID: 36195023 DOI: 10.1016/j.yebeh.2022.108924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 09/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION People with epilepsy (PWE) face a variety of psychosocial challenges. A lack of knowledge of epilepsy, a high level of depression and anxiety and a low quality of life (QoL) are among the major problems that affect most PWE. The objective of this study was to examine the association of sociodemographic characteristics, clinical factors and knowledge of epilepsy with the level of QoL, and the presence of psychiatric comorbidities. METHOD A cross-sectional study was conducted in Lebanon. The PWE were recruited from neurologists' clinics in Beirut and its suburbs. A questionnaire translated into Arabic was used and composed of four parts: sociodemographic factors, clinical characteristics, psychosocial characteristics (QoL, psychiatric disorders), and knowledge epilepsy scale. Backward logistic regression models were developed, the associations were estimated by odds ratio (OR), and the level of significance was set at p ≤ 0.05. RESULTS Four hundred and four PWE were recruited in this study. About a half of PWE had controlled epilepsy (46.3 %) and 40.3 % had epilepsy for less than 5 years. The QoL was low for 38.6 % of PWE and 30.2 % had psychiatric comorbidities. More than half of PWE had a good level of knowledge (71.5 %). Controlled epilepsy (OR = 1.8; 95 %CI: 1.2-2.9), and good knowledge about epilepsy (OR = 5.5; 95 %CI: 3.4-9.1) were associated with better QoL. Patients on polytherapy with anti-seizure drugs (OR = 0.6; 95 %CI: 0.4-0.9), experienced side effects of anti-seizure drugs (OR = 0.6; 95 %CI: 0.4-0.9) and with psychiatric comorbidities (OR = 0.6; 95 %CI: 0.3-0.9) had a lower QoL. A high number of nonpsychiatric comorbidities (OR = 2.5; 95 %CI: 2.0-3.1) and a polytherapy increased the risk of having psychiatric comorbidities (OR = 1.8; 95 %CI: 1.1-2.8). CONCLUSIONS Good knowledge of epilepsy and the absence of psychiatric comorbidities are important predictors of good QoL in Lebanese PWE. Educational programs are needed to reduce misconceptions about epilepsy and improve mental health of PWE.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zeinab Tarhini
- Univ. Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France; Inserm, U1094, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, Limoges, France; IRD, U270, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, Limoges, France
| | - Jeremy Jost
- Univ. Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France; Inserm, U1094, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, Limoges, France; IRD, U270, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, Limoges, France; CHU Limoges, Department of Pharmacy, Limoges, France
| | - Voa Ratsimbazafy
- Univ. Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France; Inserm, U1094, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, Limoges, France; IRD, U270, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, Limoges, France; CHU Limoges, Department of Pharmacy, Limoges, France
| | - Pierre-Marie Preux
- Univ. Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France; Inserm, U1094, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, Limoges, France; IRD, U270, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, Limoges, France
| | - Pascale Salameh
- Clinical and Epidemiological Research Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadath, Beirut, Lebanon; Institut National de Santé Publique, Epidémiologie Clinique et Toxicologie - Liban (INSPECT-LB), Beirut, Lebanon; University of Nicosia Medical School, Nicosia, Cyprus; Lebanese American University, School of Medicine, Lebanon
| | - Amal Al-Hajje
- Clinical and Epidemiological Research Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadath, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - Farid Boumediene
- Univ. Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France; Inserm, U1094, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, Limoges, France; IRD, U270, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, Limoges, France
| | - Lara Mroueh
- Univ. Limoges, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, Institute of Epidemiology and Tropical Neurology, OmegaHealth, Limoges, France; Inserm, U1094, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, Limoges, France; IRD, U270, EpiMaCT - Epidemiology of Chronic Diseases in Tropical Zone, Limoges, France; Clinical and Epidemiological Research Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmacy, Lebanese University, Hadath, Beirut, Lebanon.
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Abuhamdah SMA, Naser AY, Abualshaar MAR. Knowledge of and Attitude towards Epilepsy among the Jordanian Community. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10081567. [PMID: 36011224 PMCID: PMC9408541 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10081567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2022] [Revised: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Epilepsy is a disorder characterized by recurring seizures that do not have an immediate identifiable cause. It is a disorder with complex symptoms and a wide range of risk factors, with age, genetics, and origin being the most prevalent variations. This study aimed to evaluate the knowledge of and attitude towards epilepsy among the Jordanian community. Method: An online cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted between 29 March and 15 May 2022 in Jordan. In this study, three previously validated questionnaire items were adapted and employed. Binary logistic regression was applied to identify predictors of good knowledge and a positive attitude. Results: A total of 689 participants were involved in this study. A weak level of knowledge about epilepsy was observed among the study participants (35.3%). The participants showed a moderately positive attitude towards epilepsy (63.3%). Being female, holding a bachelor’s degree, knowing anyone who had epilepsy and seeing anyone having an epileptic seizure were factors that positively affected participants’ knowledge about epilepsy. Being aged between 24 and 29 years or being divorced were factors that affected the participants’ attitudes negatively towards epilepsy. Conclusion: The study’s participants had limited knowledge of epilepsy and a favorable attitude toward it. The community’s understanding of epilepsy and attitude toward epilepsy patients should be improved by an informed educational effort on the part of various media platforms. All facets of the community, including parents, should be the focus of these initiatives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sawsan M. A. Abuhamdah
- Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Al-Ain University, Abu Dhabi Campus, Abu Dhabi P.O. Box 112612, United Arab Emirates
- Department of Biopharmaceutics and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, The University of Jordan, Amman 11942, Jordan
- Correspondence: or ; Tel.: +971-2-4444228
| | - Abdallah Y. Naser
- Department of Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Isra University, Amman 11622, Jordan
| | - Mohammed Ahmed R. Abualshaar
- Department of Applied Pharmaceutical Sciences and Clinical Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Isra University, Amman 11622, Jordan
- Quality Assurance Department, Hikma Pharmaceuticals, Amman 11118, Jordan
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