Stress and Epilepsy: A Patient Perception Survey.
Abstract number :
3.093
Submission category :
Year :
2001
Submission ID :
138
Source :
www.aesnet.org
Presentation date :
12/1/2001 12:00:00 AM
Published date :
Dec 1, 2001, 06:00 AM
Authors :
M. Vouyiouklis, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY; S. Haut, MD, Neurology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY
RATIONALE: To explore patient perceptions about the effects of stress on their seizures, and the role of stress reduction as part of the treatment of epilepsy.
METHODS: A stress and epilepsy questionnaire was administered consecutively to patients being followed in the epilepsy department of Montefiore Medical Center as part of an ongoing effort to improve health care delivery to this population.
RESULTS: 92 patients completed the questionnaire: 60.1% female, 39.9% male, mean age 37.8 +/- 13.3. Forty eight percent of the subjects were seen in the Seizure Clinic, the other 52% in the faculty practice. Seizure classification was 87.8% partial and 12.2% primary generalized, with degree of control rated as intractable (66.6%) or well controlled (33.3%).
Overall, 62.5% of patients reported that they believed that stress increased the frequency of their seizures (55.6% of males, 74% of females). For males, this belief was not significantly associated with age, location of care (clinic vs. private office), epilepsy classification or seizure control. For females, younger age and partial seizure type was significantly associated with a higher incidence of this belief (p = 0.03). Specific stressors most commonly reported as associated with increased seizures included family tension (33.7%), argument with friend/colleague/family (23.9%) and death of a loved one (23.9%). Both major and minor stressors were reported with equal frequency.
52.3% of subjects overall were willing to consider stress reduction techniques. This number was significantly higher among subjects seen in the faculty practice (p = 0.02), and subjects with greater numbers of seizures per month (p = 0.007).
CONCLUSIONS: The majority of epilepsy patients in our population believe that stress increases their seizure frequency. Gender based differences were present, and both major and minor stressors were reported. Most patients were willing to consider stress reduction training. These findings indicate a need for further investigation into the role of stress and stress reduction in epilepsy.
Support: NIH: K23 NS02192-01 (Dr. S. Haut)