Canadian epilepsy priority-setting partnership: Toward a new national research agenda

Top Ten epilepsy research priorities: A UK priority setting partnership

PURPOSE

Research into epilepsy has experienced decades of chronic underfunding compared to other neurological conditions despite its prevalence and seriousness. To evidence the need for greater investment, the Epilepsy Research Institute (formerly Epilepsy Research UK) funded, led and managed a James Lind Alliance (JLA) Priority Setting Partnership (PSP). This "industry standard" methodology brings together healthcare professionals, patients, carers and patient group representatives to identify and prioritise research uncertainties within a defined area of health or care.

METHODS

The UK Epilepsy PSP is a once-in-a-generation, national consensus that collated and ranked the research priorities of the UK epilepsy and associated condition community. Following JLA methodology, this 18-month project engaged over 100 patient groups and 5000 people affected by and working in epilepsy, including medics and allied healthcare professionals, from across the UK.

RESULTS

Over 5400 priorities were received, with anti-seizure medication, sudden unexpected death in epilepsy (SUDEP) and epilepsy in women among the most frequently reported themes. The responses received were categorised and translated into distinct, researchable questions. Questions were excluded if deemed to be "answered" following an evidence check, while research uncertainties (i.e. unanswered and partially answered questions) formed the basis of a second, shortlisting survey. The shortlisted questions were then discussed and debated at the final workshop by participants that broadly represented the UK epilepsy and associated condition community. The final ranking and Top Ten priorities for research into epilepsy were then agreed.

CONCLUSION

The aim of the UK Epilepsy PSP is to encourage and inspire researchers to investigate the research areas prioritised by those most affected by the condition and provide the evidence of need to aid future policy making discussions and support research funding applications.

A strategic neurological research agenda for Europe: Towards clinically relevant and patient-centred neurological research priorities

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Neurological disorders constitute a significant portion of the global disease burden, affecting >30% of the world's population. This prevalence poses a substantial threat to global health in the foreseeable future. A lack of awareness regarding this high burden of neurological diseases has led to their underrecognition, underappreciation, and insufficient funding. Establishing a strategic and comprehensive research agenda for brain-related studies is a crucial step towards aligning research objectives among all pertinent stakeholders and fostering greater societal awareness.

METHODS

A scoping literature review was undertaken by a working group from the European Academy of Neurology (EAN) to identify any existing research agendas relevant to neurology. Additionally, a specialized survey was conducted among all EAN scientific panels, including neurologists and patients, inquiring about their perspectives on the current research priorities and gaps in neurology.

RESULTS

The review revealed the absence of a unified, overarching brain research agenda. Existing research agendas predominantly focus on specialized topics within neurology, resulting in an imbalance in the number of agendas across subspecialties. The survey indicated a prioritization of neurological disorders and research gaps.

CONCLUSIONS

Building upon the findings from the review and survey, key components for a strategic and comprehensive neurological research agenda in Europe were delineated. This research agenda serves as a valuable prioritization tool for neuroscientific researchers, as well as for clinicians, donors, and funding agencies in the field of neurology. It offers essential guidance for creating a roadmap for research and clinical advancement, ultimately leading to heightened awareness and reduced burden of neurological disorders.

The burden of chronic drug-refractory focal onset epilepsy: Can it be prevented?

Despite the many therapeutic options for epilepsy available today, a third of patients still have poorly controlled epilepsy. Over the years, their transition through lines of treatment exposes them to increased risk of disease progression, mortality, morbidity, mental distress, and not least significantly impaired quality of life (QoL). The present review explores the multiple factors contributing to the impairment of health-related QoL in PWE-including both seizure-related and non seizure-related. The analysis aims to identify potential areas of intervention and strategies for a more holistic approach to epilepsy care and inform policy-makers and healthcare providers in their approach to this condition.

Examination of the level of tolerance of uncertainty and psychological wellness of patients with epilepsy

AIM

This study was conducted to examine the level of intolerance of uncertainty and the psychological well-being of patients with epilepsy (PWE).

METHODS

This descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 201 patients in a university hospital in Van, which is a province in eastern Turkey. Personal information form, intolerance of uncertainty scale, and the psychological well-being scale were prepared by the researcher in line with the literature and used to collect data. An independent sample t-test, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), post hoc (Tukey, LSD), correlation, and regression analyses were used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

In this study, the mean total score of PWE for the intolerance to uncertainty scale was found as 37.144 ± 9.202. Among the sub-dimensions, the mean prospective anxiety score was found as 21.821 ± 5.416 and the mean inhibitory anxiety score was 15.323 ± 4.695. The mean total score of the psychological well-being scale was found as 28.975 ± 6.622. It was determined that there was a significant relationship between the total score of the intolerance of uncertainty scale and the total score of the psychological well-being scale of the PWE who participated in the study (F = 14.314; p = 0.000 < 0.05). It was observed that the total score of intolerance of uncertainty was decreased as the total level of psychological well-being was increased (ß = -0.186).

CONCLUSION

It was found that PWE had higher levels of intolerance of uncertainty and lower levels of psychological well-being. It was also determined that the total score of psychological well-being was decreased as the total score of intolerance of uncertainty was increased.

RECOMMENDATIONS

For preventing the negative consequences of intolerance of uncertainty in PWE, it is recommended to inform nurses to increase the level of psychological well-being as a result of raising awareness about their concerns by conducting studies to increase the level of intolerance to uncertainty. It is also recommended to carry out studies on intolerance of uncertainty and psychological well-being in advanced and larger sample groups.