Abstracts

Seizure severity is an important aspect of epilepsy, however the relationship between quality of life in epilepsy and seizure severity has been incompletely explored. Further, since various seizure severity scales have been used in clinical research, this association is limited by the scope of the seizure severity scale. Using a dataset from the baseline phase of clinical treatment trial, the relationship between seizure severity and aspects of quality of life were evaluated., Data obtained at the initial visit of the baseline phase of subjects enrolled in the double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized trial entitled [ldquo]Progesterone Therapy for Women with Epilepsy[rdquo] were used. Seizure severity was assessed using the National Hospital Seizure Severity Scale (NHS3) which consists of 7 questions with 2-4 degrees of responses and scores that range from 1-27 (higher is more severe). This scale focuses on events that occur during the seizure and injuries, rather than postictal recovery. Quality of life was assessed using the QOLIE-31. Statistical methods were Spearman[apos]s bivariate correlations and linear regression., One hundred eighteen subjects were evaluated; all were women between the ages 18-45 years. Domains of the QOLIE-31 that significantly correlated with seizure severity were seizure worry (r=0.265 p=0.004) and social functioning (r=0.280, p=0.002). The overall QOL and cognitive domain each slightly correlated with seizure severity (r=0.212, p=0.021; r=0.205, p=0.026, respectively). When controlling for the effect of a potential confounding variable, the Beck Depression Inventory, the regression of seizure severity with the QOLIE seizure worry and social functioning remained significant (p=0.004; p=0.001, respectively)., Seizure severity using the NHS3 correlated with the seizure worry and social functioning domains of the QOLIE-31. These findings indicate that severe and potentially injurious seizure behaviors affect specific aspects of quality of life in epilepsy. Furthermore, these effects of seizure severity on quality of life persist even after accounting for the influence of depression and likely contribute to anxiety and socially avoidant behavior for persons with epilepsy., (Supported by NINDS: NS39466.)