September 25, 2020

Quality of Life in Elderly Patients After Surgery for Drug-Resistant Epilepsy

Abstract, published in Epilepsy & Behavior

Introduction: Health related quality of life (HRQoL) has become a pivotal outcome parameter after surgery for drug-resistant epilepsy. The aim of the study was to investigate HRQoL and its relationship to seizure outcome, neurological deficits, and anxiety after epilepsy surgery in a specific subpopulation of elderly patients.

Methods: A total of 85 elderly patients (older than 50 years) answered a standardized HRQoL questionnaire one year after epilepsy surgery. The questionnaire addressed current self-assessed HRQoL in four areas (physical function, cognitive function, mood, social interaction).

Results: A total of 51 patients (60%) were completely seizure free at last available outcome. Permanent neurological deficits were observed in 8 patients (7%). Analysis confirmed significant association between seizure outcome and overall HRQoL. New permanent neurological deficits showed impact on both HRQoL and cognitive function. Anxiety and subjective assessment of postoperative status were strongly correlated with overall HRQoL and remained as independent predictive factors.

Conclusion: Surgery for drug-resistant epilepsy in elderly improves patients’ HRQoL. Both seizure freedom and new neurological deficits influence overall HRQoL. Interestingly, anxiety and patients’ subjective assessment of postoperative status showed the highest impact on HRQoL in this subpopulation of epilepsy patients.

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