Impact of physical activity on quality of life in patients with epilepsy in a developing country: A cross-sectional, survey-based study.
Abstract number :
3.471
Submission category :
16. Epidemiology
Year :
2022
Submission ID :
2232976
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/5/2022 12:00:00 PM
Published date :
Nov 22, 2022, 05:29 AM
Authors :
Daniel San-Juan, MD, MSc – National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery; Emilio Wong-Valenzuela, MD – Epilepsy Clinic – National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery; Miguel Cervera-Sánchez, MD – Health Sciences Center – University of Guadalajara; Dara Torres-Rodríguez, MD – Faculty of Medicine – Autonomous University of Nayarit
This is a Late Breaking abstract
Rationale: Patients with epilepsy face barriers based on ignorance and fear from themselves and others while exercising, this situation complicates attempts at physical activity and promotes discrimination [1]. Furthermore, these obstacles are exacerbated by socio-economic and cultural barriers and lack of knowledge by patients and their caregivers regarding epilepsy and the benefits of practicing physical exercise. Physical activity has been associated with favorable results in the health of patients with epilepsy and can be used as a non-pharmacological treatment seeking to increase the health and quality of life of patients [2]. However, physical activity and its impact on the quality of life of patients with epilepsy in developing countries is scarce. Our study aims to explore how physical activity impacts the quality of life perception in patients with epilepsy.
Methods: We performed a cross-sectional, survey-based study conducted at the outpatient Epilepsy Clinic in the National Institute of Neurology and Neurosurgery in Mexico City. Patients between 17 and 65 years of age and with an established diagnosis of epilepsy were considered for participation. A 31-item questionnaire was administered to all participants face-to-face. The questions included in the survey were selected from the WHO-validated Global Physical Activity Questionnaire and the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory to assess the level of physical activity and perceived quality of life of participants. Descriptive and inferential (Mann-Whitney U test) statistical analysis was done using IBM SPSS Statistics 23.0 software.
Results: A total of 100 participants were surveyed with a mean age of 35.69 ± 11.93 years, 55 (55%) were female, 21% had only focal and 79% had focal and generalized seizures, with a median of 4 seizures per month. 70% self-reported performing any level of physical activity. We found statistically significant differences in perceived quality of life (pQOL) (p=0.0181), with a mean pQOL (measured from 1-10) of 7.87 ± 1.62 in the physically active group vs 7.03 ± 1.71 in the sedentary group. Also, significant differences were found in perceived memory problems (p=0.0429), concentration problems while reading (p=0.0027), and discomfort during free time (p=0.0221).
Conclusions: Seventy percent of patients with epilepsy had any kind of physical activity that significantly impacts how people with epilepsy perceive an improvement in their quality of life. In addition, it significantly improves memory and concentration in their daily lives.
Funding: No funding was received, and the authors did not receive support from any organization for the submitted work.
Epidemiology