Social anxiety is associated with poor quality of life in adults with epilepsy in Northeast China: A cross-sectional study

Utility of scratch art therapy in adult epilepsy patients with difficulties in social adaptation

OBJECTIVE

Adult patients with epilepsy are confronted with significant psychological and psychosocial burdens. However, the role of psychological intervention to improve quality of life has not been fully established yet. The basis of art therapy is symbolic representations of inner experiences but patients may have difficulty expressing themselves. Here, we investigated utilities of scratch art therapy in Japanese adult patients with epilepsy who feel difficulties in social adaptation.

METHODS

Seven adult epilepsy patients (four males, age: 32.1 ± 9.9, mean ± SD) treated in epilepsy clinic of our hospital, who complained of psychosocial problems and underwent psychotherapy sessions combined with art therapy, were included. Six patients had focal epilepsy and two of them were sequelae of encephalitis. They were comorbid with depression, mood disorders, anxiety, memory disturbance, and insomnia. Psychotherapy sessions were scheduled at the same day of their clinic visit, every 4-12 weeks, 60 min per day, and art therapy was performed as a part (up to 30 min, in accord with the condition of the patient) of each session. Scratch art therapy was performed by using ready-made publications. Each patient selected favorite motives of figure out of several options suggested by the therapist.

RESULTS

All patients quickly adapted themselves to scratch art therapy and verbally expressed their hidden emotions during drawing. One female patient with emotional lability appealed that she could stab herself by pointed end of the pen. Three patients added self-motivated lines to the designed draft. Two patients realized problems to be solved and moved to other suitable therapeutic procedures.

SIGNIFICANCE

The current case series study demonstrated utilities of scratch art therapy in Japanese adult patients with epilepsy who feel difficulties in social adaptation. Scratch art therapy is easy to introduce in adult epilepsy patients who have trouble expressing themselves or have uncontrollable emotions.

Prevalence and risk factors of anxiety and depression in adult patients with epilepsy: a multicenter survey-based study

Background

Depression and anxiety are the most common psychiatric comorbidities in patients with epilepsy (PWE). However, they are often unrecognized and consequently untreated.

Objective

The study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence and risk factors of anxiety and depression among Chinese adult PWE.

Design

Cross-sectional study.

Methods

Adult PWE were recruited from 13 tertiary epilepsy centers from February to September 2022. Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 and Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy were applied to evaluate anxiety and depression, respectively. Both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses models were performed to explore the risk factors of anxiety and depression.

Results

A total of 1326 PWE were enrolled in this study. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was 31.45% and 27.30%, respectively. Being female [odds ratio (OR) = 1.467, 95% CI: 1.134-1.899; p = 0.004], focal and focal to bilateral tonic-clonic seizures (TCSZ) (OR = 1.409, 95% CI: 1.021-1.939; p = 0.036), and seizure occurrence in the last 3 months (OR = 1.445, 95% CI: 1.026-2.044; p = 0.036) were the risk factors for anxiety. Focal and focal to bilateral TCSZ (OR = 1.531, 95% CI: 1.094-2.138; p = 0.013) and seizure occurrence in the last 3 months (OR = 1.644, 95% CI: 1.130-2.411; p = 0.010) were the risk factors for depression. In addition, for every 1-year increment of age, the odds of developing depression were decreased by 3.8% (p = 4.12e-5). Nevertheless, up to 70% of PWE did not receive any treatment for comorbidity.

Conclusion

There were approximately 30% of PWE screened positive for anxiety or depression. Both focal and focal to bilateral TCSZ and seizure occurrence in the last 3 months were estimated as risk factors for anxiety and depression. However, the current status of treatment was not optimal.

Co-morbid mental health conditions in people with epilepsy and association with quality of life in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Comorbid mental health conditions are common in people with epilepsy and have a significant negative impact on important epilepsy outcomes, although the evidence is mostly from high-income countries. This systematic review aimed to synthesise evidence on the association between comorbid mental health conditions and quality of life and functioning among people with epilepsy living in low- and middle income countries (LMICs).

METHODS

We searched PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Global Index medicus (GID) and PsycINFO databases from their dates of inception to January 2022. Only quantiative observational studies were included. Meta-analysis was conducted for studies that reported the same kind of quality of life and functioning outcome. Cohen's d was calculated from the mean difference in quality-of-life score between people with epilepsy who did and did not have a comorbid depression or anxiety condition. The protocol was registered with PROSPERO: CRD42020161487.

RESULTS

The search strategy identified a total of 2,101 articles, from which 33 full text articles were included. Depression was the most common comorbid mental health condition (33 studies), followed by anxiety (16 studies). Meta-analysis was conducted on 19 studies reporting quality of life measured with the same instrument. A large standardized mean effect size (ES) in quality of life score was found (pooled ES = -1.16, 95% confidence interval (CI) - 1.70, - 0.63) between those participants with comorbid depression compared to non-depressed participants. There was significant heterogeneity between studies (I2 = 97.6%, p < 0.001). The median ES (IQR) was - 1.20 (- 1.40, (- 0.64)). An intermediate standard effect size for anxiety on quality of life was also observed (pooled ES = -0.64, 95% CI - 1.14, - 0.13). There was only one study reporting on functioning in relation to comorbid mental health conditions.

CONCLUSION

Comorbid depression in people with epilepsy in LMICs is associated with poor quality of life although this evidence is based on highly heterogeneous studies. These findings support calls to integrate mental health care into services for people with epilepsy in LMICs. Future studies should use prospective designs in which the change in quality of life in relation to mental health or public health interventions across time can be measured.

Social support for and features of Chinese adults with epilepsy

Background

The lack of social support for adults with epilepsy (AWEs) is receiving increased attention, as it may result in low quality of life. This study was aimed to confirm the demographic characteristics of and clinical factors associated with social support for AWEs.

Methods

AWEs were consecutively recruited from our hospital. The 10-term Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) was used to measure social support. A linear regression analysis with stepwise selection was performed to analyze the independent variables associated with social support for AWEs.

Results

In total, 165 AWEs were consecutively included in the present study. Linear regression analysis showed that the marital status (t = -3.550, β = -0.272, P = 0.001), the age at onset (t = 2.545, β = 0.192, P = 0.012), and the QOLIE-31 score (t = 3.144, β = 0.221, P = 0.002) were independent variables associated with social support for AWEs.

Conclusions

Our findings suggest that the poor social support is associated with childhood onset of epilepsy and the unmarried status. This study also confirmed a negative influence of low social support on quality of life in AWEs.

The association between illness perception and quality of life among Chinese adults with epilepsy: The mediating role of coping style

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the associations between illness perception, quality of life (QOL), and coping style among patients with epilepsy (PWE), and to establish the behavior of coping style as a mediator of the interplay between illness perception and QOL.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study of 135 adult Chinese PWE was performed. All patients completed clinical and demographic questionnaires, the Chinese version of the Revised Illness Perception Questionnaire (CIPQ-R), the quality of life in epilepsy-31 inventory (QOLIE-31), and the Simplified Coping Style Questionnaire (SCSQ). Collected data were assessed through correlation analyses, structural equation modeling (SEM), and multiple stepwise linear regression assessments.

RESULTS

These patients exhibited a mean QOLIE-31 total score of 46.9 points, consistent with moderately low QOL. Under model III (F = 9.447, p < 0.01, R² = 0.486), all included variables were found to explain 48.6% of the observed variation in QOL, with illness perception and coping style, respectively, explaining 27.3% and 7% of such variation. SEM findings illustrated that the total influence value of illness perception on QOL was 77.5% (β = -0.775, p < 0.001). Moreover, the illness perception was found to have a direct impact on QOL (β = -0.620, p = 0.001), negative coping (β = 0.309, p < 0.001), and positive coping (β = -0.265, p = 0.014), with negative coping (β = -0.256, p = 0.003), and positive coping (β = 0.288, p = 0.006) also having a direct impact on such QOL. Positive and negative coping styles also served as mediators of an indirect relationship between illness perception and QOL (β = -0.27*0.29 + 0.31* - 0.26 = -0.159, p = 0.001), with coping style thus serving as a significant mediator of the association between QOL and illness perception. The mediating impact of coping style on QOL accounted for 20.5% (-0.159/-0.775) of the total influence.

CONCLUSION

Both coping style and illness perception were detected to be significantly correlated with the QOL of Chinese adult PWE, with coping style serving as a mediator of the association between QOL and illness perception in this patient population. As such, when seeking to control seizures, medical workers should assess illness perceptions and coping styles among PWE as quickly as possible in order to select the optimal interventions most likely to improve the QOL of these patients.

Meanings of quality of life among people living with epilepsy in Ghana; a qualitative exploratory study

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to explore the meanings of quality of life among people living with epilepsy (PLWE) in Ghana.

METHODS

An exploratory-qualitative study design was adopted. Face-to-face in-depth interviews, using a semi-structured interview guide, were conducted on 15 PLWE who were purposively selected for the study. The interviews were audio recorded and transcribed verbatim. The content analysis approach was then used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Four themes - "acceptance", "support", "seizure control", and "self-reliance" emerged from the study as meanings of Quality of life (QoL). Quality of life meant unconditional acceptance from family, friends, acquaintances at home, school, and work, and by the public despite epilepsy. Receiving support in the form of protection from injury during a seizure, financial assistance to meet individual and family demands, emotional warmth, and spiritual support through prayers and encouragement, was QoL for PLWE. Achievement of control over seizures and being self-reliant in terms of selfcare and daily activities in addition to having some form of financial independence meant QoL.

CONCLUSION

Meanings of quality of life among PLWE is associated with being accepted and supported by family and friends as well as being in control of seizures and attaining a status of independence.

Social Isolation and Associated Factors in Chinese Adults With Epilepsy: A Cross-Sectional Study

Objective: We aimed to determine the prevalence of social isolation and associated factors among adults with epilepsy in northeast China. Methods: A cohort of consecutive patients with epilepsy (PWE) from the First Hospital of Jilin University (Changchun, China) was recruited. Demographic and clinical data for each patient were collected during a face-to-face interview. Social isolation was measured using the Berkman-Syme Social Network Index (SNI), and the Neurological Disorders Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (NDDI-E) and Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory (QOLIE-31) were also administered. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to determine the factors associated with social isolation in PWE. Results: A total of 165 patients were included in the final analysis. The mean SNI score was 2.56 (SD: 1.19), and 35 patients (21.2%) were socially isolated. In multivariate logistic regression analysis, higher depressive symptom levels (OR = 1.15, 95% CI: 1.003-1.318, P = 0.045) and poorer quality of life (OR = 0.967, 95% CI: 0.935-0.999, P = 0.047) emerged as independent factors associated with social isolation in PWE. Conclusion: Social isolation is common and occurs in approximately one-fifth of PWE. Social isolation is significantly associated with depressive symptoms and poor quality of life in PWE. Patients need to be encouraged to actively integrate with others and reduce social isolation, which may help improve their quality of life.

Sex differences in seizure effects on social anxiety in persons with epilepsy

PURPOSE

We investigated sex differences in the effect of seizures on social anxiety in persons with epilepsy.

METHOD

In this cross-sectional multicenter study, social anxiety was measured using the short forms of the Social Phobia Scale (SPS-6) and Social Interaction Anxiety Scale (SIAS-6). SPS-6 scores ≥ 9 and SIAS-6 scores ≥ 12 were considered to indicate social phobia and social interaction anxiety, respectively. The Patient Health Questionnaire-9, Stigma Scale-Revised, and Family Adaptation-Partnership-Growth-Affection-Resolve scale were also completed. A logistic regression analysis with an interaction term was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

Out of 285 participants, a SPS-6 score ≥ 9 and a SIAS-6 score ≥ 12 were noted in 62 (21.8%) and 36 (12.6%) of participants, respectively. There was no difference in the prevalence of social anxiety between men and women. Intractable seizures and lack of seizure freedom were associated with a SPS-6 score ≥ 9 and a SIAS-6 score ≥ 12, but statistical significance was lost in the adjusted models. However, intractable seizures and lack of seizure freedom significantly interacted with sex for a SPS-6 score ≥ 9 (p = 0.018) and a SIAS-6 score ≥ 12 (p = 0.048) in both the separate and adjusted models. Specifically, intractable seizures tended to be positively associated with SPS-6 scores ≥ 9 than non-intractable seizures in men only (odds ratio = 2.602, p = 0.068), whereas lack of seizure freedom tended to be negatively associated with SIAS-6 scores ≥ 12 than seizure freedom in women only (odds ratio = 4.804, p = 0.053).

CONCLUSION

We found significant sex differences in seizure effects on social anxiety. Intractable seizures were associated with social phobia in men, whereas lack of seizure freedom in the last year was associated with social interaction anxiety in women.

Social phobia and its relationship with perceived epilepsy-associated stigma in patients with epilepsy

Patients with epilepsy (PWE) might feel stigmatized due to the likelihood of having uncontrollable seizures and the possibility of their sudden occurrence in the community, which may lead to increased rates of social phobia in these patients. People with social phobia interpret others' attitudes toward them negatively and hence feel stigmatized. This vicious circle may be applied to PWE, reduces the quality of life and might cause them more challenging psychosocial problems than seizure management. We aimed to investigate the relationship between social phobia and stigmatization in PWE. Forty PWE and 40 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects (HC) were included in the study. Liebowitz social anxiety scale (LSAS), Beck anxiety inventory (BAI), and Beck depression inventory (BDI)-II were administered to all participants. In addition to these, the stigma scale of epilepsy (SSE) was applied to the PWE, and the subcategory scores of this scale were calculated. The mean ages of the patient group and HC were determined to be 32.68 ± 10.67 and 33.80 ± 7.81, respectively (p>0.05). A significant difference was determined in the BDI-II, LSAS, and BAI scores of the patient group compared to HC (p<0.05). A significant correlation was found between scores of LSAS and SSE and this relationship continued regardless of depression levels (p<0.05). Our results demonstrate that social phobia is positively correlated with stigmatization in PWE. In PWE, psychiatric disorders are generally under-recognized and mistreated. Plus, it has a substantial impact on patients' quality of life. To achieve the social reintegration of these patients, comorbid psychiatric conditions of the disease and the factors associated with these conditions should be identified and treated.