Abstracts

Women with epilepsy (WWE) have unique health needs that are not well understood. Of particular importance is how women are currently managing their epilepsy and health needs and how this relates to behavioral factors critical in self-management.
This descriptive study of women[rsquo]s health care and self-management practices was part of a larger study of self-management in people conducted at two epilepsy centers in Atlanta and Boston. Participants were asked to complete three assessments each three months apart addressing demographic and epilepsy information, cognitive testing, and factors associated with self-management of epilepsy. At the last visit, female participants were asked to complete a written questionnaire covering a range of health care practices pertinent to WWE throughout the lifespan.
45 women completed the questionnaire ranging in age from 19-75 years. 84.5% perceived their general health as good to excellent, and saw doctors for routine check-ups. The participants tended not to use supplements such as multivitamins, folic acid, and calcium and were most like to walk for exercise. Less than half believed that their health care team understood their needs as WWE and communicated with each other about care issues. Participants reported weight gain, weight loss, dental problems, and excess hair growth as the most common side effects of treatment. Although some women reported catamenial pattern to seizures, irregular menstrual cycles, seizures and menses, less than half talked with their doctor and only 8.8% used hormonal therapy to control seizures. 60% were sexually active, and reported using condoms and withdrawal more often than BCP. 17 had been pregnant, but only 58.8% of these saw doctor or nurse more frequently during pregnancy; 58.8% did not breastfeed, and 82.4% did not use extra help in caring for their child. 37.8% experienced menopause, but very few treated the symptoms. Preliminary analysis suggests that females use collaborative care and resources more often then men. Analysis of the women[rsquo]s health care practices of this subsample with resource utilization, seizure severity and behavioral factors that influence self-management is being conducted.
The results of this study underscore the differences between patient and provider perceptions, highlighting areas of concern. Further analysis of seizure and behavioral variables may improve understanding of health behaviors for WWE and assist in tailoring resource and educational initiatives.
[Supported by: grant number: R01-NR04770 from the National Institute of Nursing Research and in part by grant number: M01-RR01032 from the National Institutes of Health to the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center GCRC.]