CLINICAL & BASIC RESEARCH Sultan Qaboos University Med J, November 2012, Vol. 12, Iss. 4, pp. 449-457, Epub. 20th Nov 12 Submitted 17th Dec 11 Revision Req. 10th Apr 12, Revision Recd. 6th May 12 Accepted 27th Jun 1Basrah Health Directorate, Basrah, Iraq; 2College of Medicine, University of Basrah, Basrah, Iraq *Corresponding Author e-mail: alasadijasim1951@yahoo.com نوعية احلياة وحمدداهتا عند املصابني بالصرع يف البصرة، العراق حممد �صاكر، جا�صم االأ�صدي امللخ�ص: الهدف: تقييم نوعية احلياة عند املصابني بالصرع وتقييم العوامل املختلفة اليت تؤثر عليها.الطريقة: مشلت هذه الدراسة 116 مريضا من الذين يعانون من الصرع مع جمموعة ضابطة من 116 شخصا من األصحاء، وهي دراسة حاالت وشواهد أجريت يف عيادة طب األعصاب يف العيادة اخلارجية للمستشفى العام بالبصرة يف العراق. مت إجراء املقابالت مع استخدام استبيان خاص يشمل البيانات االجتماعية والدميوغرافية واخلصائص السريرية )ملرضى الصرع فقط(. مت تقييم نوعية احلياة باستخدام الصيغة القصرية للمسح الصحي )SF-36(. النتائج: أظهر مرضى الصرع بشكل عام نوع أدىن من احلياة باملقارنة مع العينة الضابطة. ويف التحليل وحيد املتغري، كانت نوعية احلياة متدنية عند املرضى من كبار السن، واملنحدرين من املناطق الريفية، وذوي التعليم والدخل املنخفضني. وكذلك كان عدد نوبات الصرع وطول فرتة الصرع من العوامل اهلامة لتدين نوعية احلياة. كما أظهر حتليل التحوف متعدد املتغريات أن الُعمر واملستوى التعليمي ومعدل الدخل ووترية نوبات الصرع حمددات كبرية هامة لتحديد نوعية احلياة. اخلال�صة: بعض العوامل االجتماعية والدميغرافية، فضال عن العوامل السريرية كانت حامسة يف حتديد نوعية احلياة عند املصابني مبرض الصرع. وبناء على تلك العوامل ينبغي على املهنيني الصحيني وضع اسرتاتيجيات خمتلفة لتحسني نوعية احلياة عند هؤالء املرضى. مفتاح الكلمات: بالغني، �رصع، نوعية احلياة، وحتليل التخّوف، حالة اجتماعية – اقت�صادية، العراق. abstract: Objective: The objective of this study was to assess the quality of life (QOL) in people with epilepsy and to evaluate various factors affecting their QOL. Methods: A total of 116 patients with epilepsy and a control group of 116 apparently healthy persons were included in this case-control study which was conducted at the neurology outpatient clinic of Basrah General Hospital, Iraq. An interview was performed with the use of a special questionnaire, which included data pertaining to socio-demographic characteristics, and clinical characteristics (for patients with epilepsy only). The QOL was assessed with the use of a Short Form (SF-36) health survey. Results: Epileptic patients showed lower overall QOL scores as compared to controls. In the univariate analysis, patients who were older, from rural areas, and with low education and income levels had low er overall QOL scores. Frequent seizures as well as increased duration of epilepsy were also significant factors associated with reduction in QOL scores. In the multivariate regression analysis, age, educational level, income and frequency of seizures were significant determinants of QOL. Conclusion: Certain socio-demographic factors as well as clinical factors were crucial in determining QOL in epilepsy patients. Recognition of these factors will lead health professionals to develop different strategies to improve the QOL of those patients. Keywords: Adults; Epilepsy; Quality of life; Regression analysis; Socioeconomic status; Iraq. Quality of Life and its Determinants in People with Epilepsy in Basrah, Iraq Mohammed Shakir1 and *Jasim N. Al-Asadi2 Advances in knowledge - Although there are numerous studies assessing the quality of life (QOL) of people with epilepsy from all over the world, similar studies from developing countries, especially Iraq, are sparse. - This study most likely marks one of the first studies to assess the QOL in patients with epilepsy in Basrah, Iraq. - It is necessary to ascertain the magnitude of the problem as a part of the systematic approach to challenges in epilepsy management. Application to patient care - Information obtained from this study could lead to improvement in quality of care for people with epilepsy. - The increased identification of patients' problems with daily functioning and well-being can guide management and lead to improvement in patients' QOL. Quality of Life and its Determinants in People with Epilepsy in Basrah, Iraq 450 | SQU Medical Journal, November 2012, Volume 12, Issue 4 About 45 million people worldwide suffer from epilepsy, with three-quarters of them living in poor countries, and more than 80% living in the tropics.1,2 In 2005, the International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) and the International Bureau for Epilepsy (IBE) defined epilepsy as ‘a disorder of the brain characterised by an enduring predisposition to generate epileptic seizures and by the neurobiological, cognitive, psychological, and social consequences of this condition’.3 Epilepsy is associated with adverse social, physical, and psychological consequences which are reflected on the cognitive functioning and behavioural patterns of affected individuals.4 A person with epilepsy faces uncertainty over the diagnosis of his or her condition, over its nature, and whether and when seizures will occur, how best seizures can be controlled, and whether they will ultimately remit.5 Epilepsy is also a known stigmatising condition.6 Because of its clinical uncertainty and stigmatisation, the impact of epilepsy on a person's quality of life (QOL) can be significant.7 The World Health Organization (WHO) defines QOL as individuals' perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live, and in relation to their goals, expectations, standards and concerns. It is a broad- ranging concept affected in a complex way by the person's physical health, psychological state, level of independence, social relationships, personal beliefs, and their relationship to salient features of their environment.8 People with epilepsy are prone to poorer self- esteem and higher levels of anxiety and depression than people without epilepsy.9 They are more likely to be under- or unemployed.10 Lower rates of marriage and greater social isolation have been reported in adults with epilepsy as compared with others.11 Some, though not all, people with epilepsy feel stigmatised by their condition.12 The relationship between the severity of epilepsy and its impact on QOL is complex and may be determined by a number of different factors.13 QOL in patients with epilepsy is a function of an interaction of factors which include clinical variables (e.g. seizure frequency, severity, illness duration, treatment side effects, depression and anxiety), social disadvantages (e.g. divorce, unemployment, social stigma, illness intrusion into social life), and family circumstances (e.g. family caregiver characteristics and social support).14–18 QOL is sensitive to distress in several domains of living, and a focus on its determinants can help to narrow down the domains in which interventions can be targeted to improve outcome and quality of care.19–21 Current instruments that measure QOL for people with epilepsy have been developed and tested exclusively in the West; the questionnaires analyse multiple daily functions, which are dependent on culture, ethnicity, and economics. Limited data are available to guide QOL issues in developing countries’ populations. The level of, and factors affecting, QOL in patients with epilepsy in Basrah, Iraq, have not yet been addressed properly. Therefore, this case- control study was conducted to determine the QOL and its determinants among patients with epilepsy in Iraq. Methods This case-control study was carried out in Basrah, Iraq, from June 2010 to March 2011. Epilepsy registers were not available, so epileptic patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria and attended the neurology outpatient clinic of Basrah General Hospital (one of four major hospitals in Basrah Governorate) during the period of the study were recruited. Participants were included if they satisfied the following criteria: 16 years of age or older; diagnosis of epilepsy for a minimum of one year; not having clinical features of mental retardation (assessed by a clinical judgment); no history of seizure within the last 24 hours, and no chronic illness or disability other than epilepsy. Patients were excluded from the study if they had symptomatic epilepsy or a systemic disease that may have affected their health status and QOL. A total of 116 epileptic patients were recruited. Because no normative Short-Form 36 (SF- 36) survey values for the general Iraqi population existed, 116 individuals (aged 16 years or older) who were not epileptic, and were free from chronic illnesses or disabilities were chosen by a simple random sampling as a control group. They were either relatives of epileptic patients, or patients who attended the outpatient clinic of Basrah General Mohammed Shakir and Jasim N. Al-Asadi Clinical and Basic Research | 451 Hospital for conditions other than epilepsy. Both the control group and epileptic patients were matched for age, sex, and educational level. A questionnaire was used to collect data about patients’ socio-demographic status. Only the epileptic patients completed the clinical data section of the questionnaire. The socio-demographic data were age; sex; educational level; marital status; per capita monthly family income in Iraqi dinars (ID), which was classified as low (<100,000 ID ≈ <80 $US), medium (100,000–250,000 ID ≈ 80–200 $US), and high (>250,000 ID ≈ >200 $US); residence, and employment (housewives and students were classified as unemployed). Clinical data included seizure frequency, number of antiepileptic drugs, and duration of epilepsy. QOL was assessed by the SF-36 health survey, which is widely used as a generic measure of health.22 The SF-36 has also proved a reliable and valid measure of health-related QOL, and has been used as an outcome indicator in numerous clinical trials and across various diagnostic groups, including with adults with epilepsy.23,24 The SF-36 assesses 8 QOL domains: physical functioning (PF) - 10 items; role physical limitations (RP) - 4 items; bodily pain(BP) - 2 items; general health (GH) - 5 items; vitality (VT) - 4 items; social functioning (SF) - 2 items; role emotional limitations (RE) - 3 items, and mental health (MH) - 5 items. Each of the eight health concepts was measured on a scale of 0 to 100.22 A total QOL which represents the average of the sum of the eight subscales was calculated. The total QOL score was divided into four levels: a poor QOL was indicated by a score less than 40; a moderate QOL was indicated by a score of 40 to 60; a good QOL was indicated by a score of 61 to 80, and an excellent QOL was indicated by a score of more than 80.25 Seizure frequency was classified according to the number of attacks in the last year: one or more attack per month, fewer than one attack per month, and no attacks in the last year.4,14 After an informed consent was obtained, cases and controls were interviewed by one of the authors. The study was approved by the Ethics and Research Committee of Basrah Health Directorate. Data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS), Version 15, (IBM, Chicago, Illinois, USA) and the results were presented as tables. For categorical variables, frequencies and percentages were reported. Differences between groups were analysed using Pearson’s chi-squared test, or Fisher’s exact tests for small samples (i.e. cells less than 5). For continuous variables, mean and standard deviation were used to present the data while analysis was performed using the Student’s t-test or analysis of variance (ANOVA). A multiple regression analysis was used to identify significant predictors of changes in QOL. A P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Table 1: Socio-demographic characteristics of the study population Characteristic Epileptic Patients Control Group P value No. % No. % Age (years) 16–25 55 47.4 55 47.4 0.99926–35 41 35.3 41 35.3 ≥36 20 17.3 20 17.3 Sex Male 70 60.3 70 60.3 0.999 Female 46 39.7 46 39.7 Educational Level Illiterate 17 14.7 18 15.5 0.995 Primary 42 36.2 39 33.6 Intermediate 28 24.1 30 25.9 Secondary 18 15.5 18 15.5 University & above 11 9.5 11 9.5 Residence Urban 54 46.6 58 50 0.694 Rural 62 53.4 58 50 Income Low 33 28.4 14 12.1 0.003Medium 50 43.2 50 43.2 High 33 28.4 52 44.7 Employment Employed 46 39.7 62 53.4 0.024 Unemployed 70 60.3 54 46.6 Marital Status Married 51 44 83 71.6 0.001 Unmarried 65 56 33 28.4 Total 116 100 116 100 Quality of Life and its Determinants in People with Epilepsy in Basrah, Iraq 452 | SQU Medical Journal, November 2012, Volume 12, Issue 4 Results Table 1 shows the distribution of socio-demographic characteristics between epileptic patients and the control group. No significant difference was observed between epileptic patients and the control group regarding residence (P >0.05), but there was a significant difference between the two groups regarding income, employment, and marital status (P <0.05). Regarding monthly family income, most of the epileptic patients (43.1 %) were medium income earners, while most in the control group (44.8 %) were high income earners. Unemployment was the most frequent occupational status (60.3 %) among epileptic patients, and (56 %) were unmarried, while most in the control group were employed (53.4%) and 71.6% were married. As shown in Table 2 and Figure 1, epileptic patients scored lower in all subscales of QOL as compared to control group. The differences were highly significant (P <0.001). The mean total QOL scores of epileptic patients was 47.9 ± 18.1 as compared to 71.7 ± 10.2 in the control group with a highly significant difference (P <0.001). Figure 2 shows a qualitative grouping of total QOL scores of epileptic patients and control group members. As shown in this figure, as compared to members of the Table 2: Comparison of QOL between epileptic patients and controls QOL Subscale Cases Controls P value Mean ± SD 95% CI Mean ± SD 95% CI Lower Upper Lower Upper PF 61.8 ± 26.9 57.1 66.7 81.2 ± 13.3 78.9 83.5 <0.001 RP 36.7 ± 34.3 28.3 41.6 71.8 ± 28.6 66.4 76.5 <0.001 RE 39.6 ± 39 32.8 46.5 75.6 ± 26.9 70.7 80.2 <0.001 SF 55.4 ± 26.4 50.8 60.7 77.4 ± 30 73.4 80.9 <0.001 BP 47.6 ± 29.7 42.3 53.2 72.6 ± 18 69.5 75.7 <0.001 VIT 43.9 ± 20.5 40.2 47.5 62.7 ± 17.8 59.3 65.7 <0.001 MH 51.5 ± 18.5 48.3 55.1 66.7 ± 16.4 63.7 69.7 <0.001 GH 48.6±16.9 45.4 51.8 69 ± 14.8 66.4 71.7 <0.001 Total QOL Scores 47.9 ± 18.1 44.4 51.3 71.7 ± 10.2 69.9 73.5 <0.001 QOL = quality of life; SD = standard deviation; CI = confidence interval; PF = physical functioning ; RP = role physical limitations; RE = role emotional limitations; SF = social functioning ; BP = bodily pain; VIT = vitality; MH = mental health; GH = general health Figure 1: Comparison of QOL subscales (domains) between cases and con trols. QOL = quality of life; GH = general health; MH = mental health; VT = vitality; BP = body pain; SF = social functioning ; RE = role emotional limitations; RP = role physical limitations; PF = physical functioning. Mohammed Shakir and Jasim N. Al-Asadi Clinical and Basic Research | 453 control group, most epileptic patients had a poor to moderate QOL with a highly significant difference (P <0.001). Of the epileptic patients, 43.1 % had had epilepsy for less than 5 years, while 36.2 % had had epilepsy for more than 10 years with a mean duration of 10.6 years. Of the epileptic patients, only 21.6 % were seizure free for the last year, and 82.7 % were on one antiepileptic drug. As shown in Table 3, older epileptic patients had lower mean QOL scores (39 ± 15.3) as compared with younger age groups (55.9 ± 18.3). Patients with low educational levels and low income also had lower QOL scores, with a significant association. Patients who had had epilepsy for less than five years as well as those who had had epilepsy for more than 10 years had lower QOL scores (43.9 ± 14.7, 47.9 ± 18.1, respectively) as compared to 60.3 ± 19.7 in those who had had epilepsy for 5–10 years, with a significant association. Patients who had been free of epileptic seizures for the last year had a better level of QOL as compared to those with more frequent seizures, with a highly significant association. Marital status, gender, employment, residency, and number of antiepileptic drugs had no significant influence on QOL among epileptic patients. To examine the independent effect of the studied factors on the QOL of epileptic patients, a multiple regression analysis was performed [Table 4]. Income, age, education, and frequency of seizures were found to be the most independent and highly significant factors that predicted QOL of epileptic patients. They explained 54.7% of the variability in QOL total scores. The excluded variables were sex, residency, marital status, employment, duration of the disease, and number of antiepileptic drugs. Discussion The epileptic patients in this study were less likely to be married, more likely to be unemployed, and with a lower income as compared to the control group. This is consistent with other studies which found that people with epilepsy appear at greater risk of problems in relation to marriage, employment, and socio-economic status.26–28 The present study highlights the impact of epilepsy on the QOL of epileptic patients in Basrah. When compared with the epilepsy-free control group, patients with epilepsy reported a significantly lower QOL across all domains. Such a result is consistent with many previous studies that have been done in Iran, the Arabian Gulf, the Near East, Thailand, Norway, the UK, Russia, and Tunisia.14,18,29–32 The epileptic patients’ rather poor QOL may be explained by the disease’s chronicity (the mean duration of patients’ illness in this study was 10.6 years), a result which was reported by Sillanpää et al., or because most of the epileptic patients in this study (78.4%) had not been seizure- free in the last year. Seizure frequency was described as one of the most relevant determinants of poor QOL.33,34 Similar to other studies, higher QOL scores in epileptic patients were associated with youth, and higher levels of education and family income.35-37 It is reasonable to suggest that these factors increase the potential for social support, positive coping methods, and awareness of the disease.14,38 Elderly people may have more difficulty in coping with epilepsy than do younger patients who have more physiological reserves and fewer responsibilities.39 Education is an important indicator that may directly or indirectly influence QOL through its association with employment, higher social class, and economic status, or because well-educated patients are more aware of self-management practices and are better educated about the disease and also know that regular treatment can help patients avoid seizures and hence lead a normal life.40 Economic status was recognised as an important predictor of QOL in epileptic patients.41 Having enough money is important to QOL not only to meet 18.10% 7.80% 65.50% 13.80% 16.40% 42.20% 0% 36.20% 0.00% 10.00% 20.00% 30.00% 40.00% 50.00% 60.00% 70.00% ExcellentGoodModeratePoor Quality of life Cases Controls P e rc e n ta g e o f p e rso n s Figure 2: Comparison of quality of life between cases and controls. Quality of Life and its Determinants in People with Epilepsy in Basrah, Iraq 454 | SQU Medical Journal, November 2012, Volume 12, Issue 4 people’s basic needs, but also to allow participation in society and in holidays and hobbies, and to allow people to enjoy luxuries and be prepared for unexpected expenses and emergencies. In univariate analysis, patients living in rural areas had significantly lower QOL scores as compared to those living in urban areas, but this association disappeared in multivariate analysis. The role of residence may have been confounded by the effect of the social and economic levels. It was reported that epilepsy and its sequelae were more prevalent in patients with low social and economic levels.42 Current seizure activity was an independent clinical predictor of QOL. Even patients with infrequent seizures, who would generally be regarded as having good control, had a relatively compromised QOL as compared with those who were seizure-free. Guekht et al., reported that patients with frequent seizures had low social contact and feelings of stigmatisation.32 Considerable emphasis has been placed on the Table 3: Quality of life (mean ± SD) of epilepsy patients according to socio-demographic and clinical factors Risk factor n (%) QOL Scores (Mean ± SD) 95% CI P value Age (years) 16–25 26–35 ≥36 55 (47.4) 41 (35.3) 20 (17.3) 55.9 ± 18.3 41.8 ± 14.0 39 ± 15.3 51.3 ± 16.1–61.2 ± 21.2 37.6 ± 11.3–46.7 ± 18.7 32.6 ± 9.6–46.9 ± 18.9 <0.001 Sex Male Female 70 (60.3) 46 (39.7) 47.5 ± 18.6 48.5 ± 17.6 42.3 ± 15.6–51.7 ± 20.9 43.4 ± 13.4–54.1 ± 21.2 0.784 Employment Employed Unemployed 46 (39.7) 70 (60.3) 45.4 ± 14.8 49.6 ± 19.9 41.3 ± 11.4–49.8 ± 17.5 44.9 ± 16.8–54.5 ± 22.7 0.222 Residency Urban Rural 54 (46.6) 62 (53.4) 51.7 ± 20.9 44.6 ± 14.7 46 ± 18.3–57.3 ± 23.4 41.2 ± 11.9–48.4 ± 17.4 <0.05 Education Illiterate Primary Intermediate Secondary University+ 17 (14.7) 42 (36.2) 28 (24.1) 18 (15.5) 11 (9.5) 42.9 ± 21.8 41.9 ± 13.6 47.2 ± 16 54.9 ± 14.9 68.6 ± 21.1 32.6 ± 14.4–53.9 ± 25.9 37.8 ± 11.5–45.9 ± 15.1 41.3 ± 1.5–53.1 ± 19.2 49.3 ± 7.8–62.1 ± 19.7 69.5 ± 3.1–87.5 ± 16.2 <0.001 Income Low Intermediate High 33 (28.4) 50 (43.2) 33 (28.4) 39.3 ± 10.4 43.7 ± 15.7 62.8 ± 19.2 35.9 ± 8.2–42.9 ± 15.2 39.2 ± 13.4–48.3 ± 18.4 56 ± 15.9–69.4 ± 21.7 <0.001 Marital status Married Unmarried 51 (44) 65 (56) 45.4 ± 16.6 49.9 ± 19.2 40.9 ± 13.1–50.2 ± 19.3 45.1 ± 15.8–54.1 ± 21.9 0.191 Duration of Epilepsy (years) <5 5–10 >10 50 (43.1) 24 (20.7) 42 (36.2) 43.9 ± 14.7 60.3 ± 19.7 47.9 ± 18.1 39.9 ± 10.9–48.1 ± 18.1 52.9 ± 15.3–68.7 ± 22.7 40.3 ± 15.2–51.2 ± 20.9 <0.01 Frequency of seizures ≥1/month