Abstracts

Rationale: The epilepsy surgery generates socio-economical changes in patients from developed countries, however, is poorly studied in developing countries. The aim of this study is to analyze changes in the social determinants of health (SDH) in patients undergoing epilepsy surgery in a Latin-American developing country. Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 102 patients who underwent epilepsy surgery (2002-2014); described clinical variables (age, race, and sex, age of onset of epilepsy, age at the time of surgery, type of surgery, side of surgery) and sociodemographic variables were recorded, including SDH (social position: education, income, race/ethnicity, occupation, and marital status). A structured survey of social questionnaires and the Engel scale was developed and applied. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Results: In total, 54.9% (56) of the participants were women, with a mean age of 38.2 (±9.6) years at the time of the survey. The average waiting time for surgery after diagnosis was 19.6 (±9.3) years; 77.9% (77) had temporal lobe surgeries and 24.5% (25) had extra-temporal lobe surgeries; and 80.4% (82) and 19.6% (20) of patients were classified as Engel I and Engel II, respectively, at 4 years. The education level (26.9%, p=<0.001), employment rate (4.9%, p= <0.001), and economic income (9.8%, p=0.024) increased after surgery, and 20.5% of patients were married after surgery. Conclusions: Focal resective epilepsy surgery increased the level of education, financial income, the number of marriages, and the employment rate at 4 years’ postoperative follow-up in a Latin-American developing country. Funding: No funding