Abstracts

Rationale: As the general population ages and more individuals live longer, epilepsy in the elderly is a growing patient cohort. Due to co-morbidities and potential differences in goals of care, it is important to understand and clinically treat this group as a unique entity from younger epilepsy patients. The purpose of this study was to qualify how the elderly (age >65 years) perceive and experience their epilepsy and their anti-seizure medications. Methods: We administered the Quality of Life in Epilepsy survey (QOLIE-31) during the first clinic visit in a single-center program focused on diagnosis and treatment of patients, age 65 years and older from September 2017 - 2018. Patients were referred to the clinic from other clinicians or self-referrals. Patient’s epilepsy history and their Neurological Disorder Depression Inventory for Epilepsy (NDDIE) scores were collected through retrospective chart review of corresponding clinic visit. Survey results were scored in subcategories using QOLIE-31 conversion tables. Subcategory scores were correlated with NDDIE scores from initial clinic visit via linear regression. Results: A total of 18 surveys were scored and corresponding clinic visits reviewed. Mean age of patient at time of survey was 69.38 years (65.2-73.6 years), with female gender predominance (61.11%). Epilepsy type was temporal lobe epilepsy in 33.33%, frontal lobe epilepsy in 5.56%, and other or unknown in 61.11%. A history of stroke was present in 27.77% and tumor was present in 11.11%. Mean QOLIE-31 total score was 60.69 (50.98 – 70.41). Lowest subtotal score was “Energy/Fatigue” with mean 50.83 (58.13 – 45.53), followed by “Cognitive” mean at 52.62 (39.29 – 65.94). “Medication Effects” subtotal mean was 53.39 (35.35 – 71.43), “Overall Quality of Life” mean was 60.69 (50.98 – 70.40), “Social Function” mean was 62.21 (47.04 – 77.37), “Seizure Worry” mean was 62.50 (48.34 – 76.66), and “Emotional Well-Being” mean was 66.5 (57.27 – 75.73). Higher NDDIE score were associated with lower “Energy/Fatigue” (p = 0.0009), “Medication Effects” (p = 0.0094), and Total Score (p = 0.0008). Conclusions: Elderly patients with epilepsy had the most negative effect on their quality of life relating to their energy, cognition and medication side effects, in keeping with the literature. Negative scoring in energy, fatigue and medication effects correlated with higher scores relating to depression. Further analysis are currently underway to increase cohort size and compare to a younger population, which may further elucidate if the elderly experience their epilepsy and medication effects on their life differently and whether this has an effect on medication compliance and seizure control. Funding: No funding