Psychosocial impact of epilepsy in women of childbearing age in India.

The aim was to evaluate comprehensively the psychosocial impact of epilepsy in women between 15-40 years of age with epilepsy, compared to those with migraine and healthy, pregnant women. One hundred women with epilepsy, 50 with migraine and 100 healthy, pregnant women were enrolled over a two-year period. The three groups were assessed using questionnaires for quality of life (QOL), coping strategies and caregiver burden. The influence of demographic and seizure variables on these psychosocial outcomes were also assessed.It was found that quality of life was least, and the burden experienced by the caregiver was significantly more in patients with epilepsy (p < 0.001). Women with epilepsy relied more on religion/faith as a coping method (p = 0.021), and less on problem solving strategies (p < 0.001) when compared to those with migraine. When compared to healthy, pregnant women, they more frequently employed religious methods of coping and denial (p < 0.001), with significantly less use of problem solving techniques, acceptance, and positive and negative distraction(p < 0.001). Less frequent seizures, better education and remission sustained for at least six months, were associated with better QOL. Educational status, frequency of seizures and time elapsed since last seizure emerged as significant determinants of coping behaviour. Low educational status and monthly income of the family contributed significantly to caregiver burden.This study helped to identify the different areas of psychosocial impairment in patients with epilepsy, as well as the contributing factors. Women with epilepsy rarely used constructive coping strategies, and this was found to contribute to their poor psychosocial status and adjustment within the family and society at large.